Council housing - garages and parking

Who can apply for a garage?

We have a number of garages and parking bays across Bristol. You can apply to rent one if you are a council tenant/leaseholder, non-council tenant or business.

How do I apply for a garage?

• You will need to complete an application form (pdf, 33 KB).
• Send it to the Estate Management Service or take it into any Customer Service Point.
• We will write to let you know if we have accepted your application. Your details will then be added to our waiting list.

Who will be given priority for a garage?

When a garage becomes vacant, priority will be given in the following order, regardless of waiting times:

• Council tenants with mobility disabilities, where the allocation will assist in their mobility.
• Council tenants and their partners in the area.
• Non council tenants with mobility disabilities, where the allocation will assist in their mobility.
• Non council tenants in the area.
• Business user/applications from outside the area.

Can I apply if I have any outstanding debts?

You can, but you won't be offered a tenancy if you have any outstanding debts.

What can garages be used for?

• Parking of vehicles - You can garage a roadworthy motor vehicle, boat or motor mower. You can also store items to do with your vehicle. You must always be able to close the garage door.
• Storage - You can store small quantities of personal items. However, the garage must not be used solely for storage. The storage of inflammable materials or liquids is strictly prohibited.
• Business use - Businesses can use garages for storing any vehicle that is to be used for business purposes. However, they can not use the garage for any other purpose.

How much does a garage cost to rent?

Garages

Council tenant: £9.39 per week
Private tenant: £12.02 + VAT (£2.40) = £14.42 per week
Council leaseholder: £12.02 per week
Premium rental: £23.30 + VAT (£4.66) =  £27.96 per week

Parking bays / Garage plots

Council tenant: £2.52 or £3.94 (depending on site) per week
Council leaseholder: £2.52 or £3.94 (depending on site) per week
Private tenants: £2.52 + VAT (£0.50) = £3.02

The charges above were increased at the start of April 2012 to take into account an annual inflation charge.

Tenancy Agreement

If you are granted a garage, parking bay or garage plot you will be asked to sign a Tenancy Agreement. This sets out the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and the council. There are two types of garage Tenancy Agreements:

• Garage Tenancy Agreement (pdf, 20 KB)
• Parking Bay Tenancy Agreement (pdf, 17 KB)

What if I owe rent?

If you miss a payment or have any queries about your garage rent you must contact the Rent Management Service as soon as possible.

Failure to pay your garage rent could result in your garage being repossessed.

What if I wish to end my tenancy?

You must give us one weeks notice in writing before 12noon on a Monday. You need to send this to the Estate Management Service or take it to any Customer Service Point. At the end of the period of notice you must:

• Make sure that you have removed all your personal things from the garage.
• Return the garage keys to any Customer Service Point.
• Pay all rent due up to the date your notice to quit expires.

Notice to quit

We can serve a notice to quit, ending the tenancy of a garage for the following reasons:

• Non payment of rent.
• Non compliance with the tenancy agreement.
• Redevelopment of the site.
• Repairs required are not cost effective.
• Abandonment.

Our letter will explain why we have served the notice to quit. You must vacate your garage in one week.