Garage Policy

1. Introduction

1.1  Garages located throughout Norwich and a small number of lockable parking bays are available to rent by council tenants (including household occupants), Norwich residents and non-city residents.

1.2  This Policy only applies to garages and parking bays where housing grant a garage tenancy and charge for their use.

1.3  A parking bay is a permanent space that has a lockable post to prevent other vehicles using it. We only have a limited number of these, and they are sited within the city centre.

2. Relevant legislation

2.1  Equality Act 201

2.2  Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in line with The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

3. Policy details

3.1  The rent is calculated weekly but payable monthly by Direct Debit. Different levels of rent are charged depending on your residential status.

3.2  Occupants of council tenancies will be charged the council tenant rate, providing they can prove that they reside at the address as their permanent home. If the occupant then moves out of this address, then they must inform us and they will then be charged the appropriate rate for the garage according to their new residential status (council tenant, Norwich resident or non-city resident).

3.3  The rent charge and deadline for applications is shown when it is advertised.

3.4  You will need to sign up for Direct Debit payments before we can complete the garage tenancy set up and provide you with the keys.

3.5  Rent is calculated on a weekly basis so the charges may be slightly higher for a while after the garage tenancy is set up, to cover any shortfall during this period. Rental rates are reviewed annually and subject to change at the beginning of the financial year.

3.6  Garages are allocated according to the following order of priorities:

• Blue (disabled) badge holders
• Norwich City Council tenants (including household occupants)
• Norwich residents who pay council tax to Norwich City Council
• Non-city residents.

3.7  Garages can be used for both the storage of items or used to park motorised vehicles and bicycles in but cannot be let as workshop facilities.

3.8  To rent a garage to store a vehicle you must hold a UK or European driving licence as well as proof of vehicle ownership to be eligible to rent a council garage or parking bay.

3.9  To rent a garage for storage, you must provide two valid forms of identification, including one that shows your current address.

3.10  You must not use the garage for any of the following:

• anything criminal, immoral or illegal; this includes selling or using illegal drugs or storing or handling stolen goods. You must not allow anything which could cause nuisance, annoyance or inconvenience to other people, including the users of other garages or buildings nearby.
• complete any repairs of the stored vehicle or any other vehicle and not use re-spraying equipment. You must not fix or use any gas engine or other power driving machinery in the garage.
• keep or store electric scooters / e-bikes, fridges/fridge freezers or freezers, fireworks, gas canisters and any fuel (petrol, diesel, benzol, or other flammable fuel / spirit (except what is in the fuel tank of the vehicle) or any other explosive, inflammatory oils, or substances in the garage.
• not keep perishable items in the garage, foodstuffs and any empty containers for that type of substance.
• install or run any electricity into the garage or use the garage for the purpose of charging batteries or motorised vehicles; including e-bikes/scooters. This only applies if the electricity is not already in place within the garage.
• Use the garage as a habitable space.

3.11  You will be signed up to a tenancy agreement for the garage or parking bay, note that this not a residential tenancy.

3.12  Before you sign the agreement, you will need to provide proof of vehicle ownership (such as registration papers/insurance documents), your current driving licence and another form of identification. For storage garages you must provide two valid forms of identification, including one that provides your current address.

3.13  If you are a Norwich City Council tenant, all accounts should be clear of arrears.

3.14  Where more than one person qualifies for a garage or parking bay, it will be allocated to the applicant who lives closest.

3.15  You will be asked to sign a garage tenancy agreement which says:

• you will pay the rent when it is due by Direct Debit
• what can and cannot be stored within the garage
• you will keep the inside of the garage clean and in good repair
• you will allow the council’s authorised officers to enter and inspect the garage during reasonable hours, after giving you notice.

It also says that you will not:

• use a council garage for storage of combustible goods/ items
• use the garage as a workspace or carry out any business from it
• store flammable or other dangerous materials in the garage
• make any structural alterations to the garage
• sub-let or part with possession of the garage
• Use the garage as a habitable unit.

Under the agreement, the council is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the outside of the garage. You should report any repairs needed to the council.

You’re responsible for the cost of repairing any damage you, your family, or your visitors cause. If necessary, we’ll do the repair and recover the cost from you.

3.16  Anything in your garage or parking bay is stored at your own risk. You should have appropriate insurance to cover the cost of any damage or loss. We won’t cover any damage or loss to any vehicle or belongings.

3.17  Renting a garage allows you to park your vehicle in the garage but does not entitle you to park on the forecourt in front of it. If another vehicle parks in front of your garage preventing you from removing your vehicle, please telephone the Police on 101 for advice.

3.18  Please be considerate when doing repairs to your own vehicle. The council provides facilities for disposing of used engine oil at Norwich South (Ipswich Road) and Norwich North (Morse Road) Recycling Centre.

3.19  If you want to give up your garage or lockable parking bay you will need to give one week’s notice in writing, expiring on a Sunday, by completing the notice to quit form available on our website.

3.20  You must return your garage keys to City Hall no later than the next working day after the garage tenancy expires. If they are not returned on time you will continue to be charged the full weekly rent until the keys are returned. You can drop them off in the customer centre between 8.45am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or post them to City Hall using the address below. (Which ever method you choose, please include the tenant/s name and garage address with the keys).

3.2  The garage must be left clear of contents and rubbish. If any items are left, you may be charged for the cost of removal.

3.22  You cannot pass your garage tenancy on to anyone else. A new application will have to be made.

3.23  We can also give you one week’s notice in writing, expiring on a Sunday.

3.24  We can repossess the garage by sending a seven-day Notice to Quit if you break the terms of the agreement or fail to keep your rent payments up to date.

3.25  When the notice expires, we can end the tenancy and change the locks. Any possessions in the garage will be stored for collection for a limited time. Further legal action may be taken to recover any debt and we may charge for the cost of changing the locks.

3.26  In the event of the death of the garage tenancy holder, the agreement will end. Another household member may apply for a new garage tenancy.

4. Review

4.1  We will review this Policy to address legislative, regulatory, best practice or operational issues, otherwise every 3 years.

Publish date: 7 April 2025
Review date: 7 April 2028