Walk into the average UK garage and you'll find hundreds — sometimes thousands — of pounds of kit that's used a handful of times a year and then forgotten. The pressure washer. The drill. The tent. The roof box that comes out once each summer.
Every one of those is a small, idle asset. And on Rentify, idle assets can earn. Here are 10 things sitting in your garage right now that could quietly make you money — with realistic UK figures for each.
1. Pressure washer — £15–£25/day, £200–£700/yr
The classic. Bought for one grimy patio, used twice, stored forever. It's also one of the most-searched rental items in the UK. See our rent vs buy a pressure washer breakdown.
2. Cordless drill & power tool set — £10–£20/day, £150–£500/yr
Almost every home has one; almost no one uses it weekly. Bundle the drill with bits and a carry case and it rents better. More in how much you can make renting out tools.
3. Camping gear — £15–£40/day per item
Tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, cool boxes — used for a festival or one trip a year, then boxed up. Families trying camping before they commit love renting it.
4. Roof box & bike rack — £10–£25/day
Out for the summer holiday, in the rafters the rest of the year. Perfect rental items because they're bulky to store and expensive to buy for one trip.
5. Garden equipment — £12–£30/day
Strimmers, hedge trimmers, scarifiers, leaf blowers, log splitters. Seasonal demand spikes hard in spring and autumn, and few neighbours own the bigger kit.
6. Carpet & upholstery cleaner — £20–£35/day, £300–£900/yr
A brilliant earner. People need one before moving out, after a spill, or for a spring clean — but no one wants to own one. Steady, repeat bookings.
7. Party & event gear — £20–£50/day
PA speakers, party lights, a gazebo or marquee, garden games, a fire pit. Big spikes around summer, birthdays and Christmas. High day rates for kit that's cheap to store.
8. DIY & decorating kit — £10–£25/day
Wallpaper steamer, paint sprayer, sander, tile cutter, step ladder, scaffold tower. Bought for one room, then idle. DIYers rent these constantly.
9. Sports & outdoor kit — £15–£45/day
Paddleboards, kayaks, golf clubs, ski gear, a turbo trainer. Seasonal and aspirational — people love to try before they buy.
10. Power washer's bigger cousins: cement mixer, plate compactor — £20–£50/day
If you've done a big landscaping job, that mixer or compactor in the corner is premium rental kit. Higher day rates, steady demand from other DIYers tackling the same projects.
What it all adds up to
You don't need all ten. A typical UK garage with three or four of these can realistically bring in £100–£400 a month on Rentify — from things you already own and aren't using. For the full earnings picture, see how much you can earn renting out your stuff.
And for most casual hosts, HMRC's £1,000 trading allowance means the first £1,000 you earn each tax year is tax-free.
How to start (it takes 10 minutes)
- Walk round your garage and pick the 3–4 items you use least.
- Photograph them clearly in daylight, including accessories.
- List them free on Rentify and set a day rate and deposit. Start here →
- Reply quickly to enquiries and collect your first reviews.
Common questions
What's the easiest thing in my garage to rent out first?
Start with whatever is in demand and easy to hand over — a pressure washer, drill set or carpet cleaner. They book often, are simple to demo, and quickly earn your first reviews.
How much can my garage make me?
Three or four popular items can realistically earn £100–£400 a month. High-value or high-demand kit like vans, scaffold towers and plate compactors push that higher.
Is it free to list my stuff?
Yes. Listing is free on Rentify, and you keep 100% of what you earn — the service fee is paid by the renter.
What if something gets damaged?
You set a refundable deposit, and photos at handover and return protect you. Most rentals come back fine, especially with a quick demo and clear instructions.
Do I have to pay tax on what I earn?
For most casual hosts the first £1,000 each tax year is covered by HMRC's trading allowance and is tax-free. Beyond that you may need to register for Self Assessment. General info, not tax advice.
The bottom line
Your garage isn't storage — it's a small, untapped income stream. Pick a few things you rarely use, list them in minutes, and let them earn while they wait for their next job.
Find the cash in your garage. List your first item on Rentify →
Ionut-Cosmin Lixandru — Burton upon Trent, UK Founder of Rentify. Building a marketplace to help people rent items locally, earn from unused things, and connect with local service providers more easily.