Harrogate housing standards: garages

Our statement of intent

The council aims to have a minimum number of vacant garages and to let them at an affordable level for tenants and other residents whilst achieving an appropriate financial return for the council. 

How we aim to do this

Letting garages 

We will:

1. Acknowledge enquiries within five working days. 
2. Keep a waiting list of all those who have applied to rent a garage. 
3. Let garages in date order of application, but giving preference to tenants and leaseholders who do not already have a garage over those who already do have tenancies and giving preference to tenants and leaseholders over private residents. 
4. Charge VAT to private residents. 
5. Explain how to pay at sign up of the garage and, if requested, issue an 'AllPay' payment card. 

Ending a garage tenancy

We will:

1. Ask for one week's notice in writing with the tenancy ending on a Monday. 
2. Take possession of the garage if rent is not paid or any terms of the garage tenancy agreement are broken. On these occasions we will give you one week's notice in writing. 
3. Charge additional rent if keys are not returned on the termination date, and charge for the cost of changing the locks. 
4. Charge for the cost of clearing the garage if it has not been handed back to us empty. 

Garage management

We will:

1. Manage garages and garage sites, ensuring they remain in good condition and are let promptly to applicants on the waiting list. 
2. Keep our properties in repair. 
3. Provide a basic lock to the garage door - any additional security would be at your own cost.
4. Charge you for the cost of replacement keys for the lock we have provided. 
5. Not accept any responsibility for contents stored in the garage you rent from us. 

Your responsibilities

You have a responsibility to:

1. Reply promptly to our offer of a garage tenancy. 
2. Pay your rent on time. 
3. Keep to the terms of your tenancy agreement. 
4. Be considerate of others, keeping the garage area clear and tidy and not parking inconsiderately. 
5. Report garage repairs to us. *** CONTACT US *** 
6. Only use the garage for the purposes of storage or a private and roadworthy motor vehicle. 

Please note that garage tenants do not have security of tenure and there may be reasons that the council may decide to terminate a garage tenancy other than the conduct of the tenant. For instance, the council may decide to redevelop a garage site. 

Contact us

If you have queries regarding this standard or feel something hasn't been done as you'd wish, please contact us.