Rent Out Your Garage, Attic or Basement: Earn Money with Storage Space

Turn Your Empty Space Into Monthly Income

If you have a garage, basement, attic, or spare room sitting empty in the Netherlands, you're sitting on a potential income stream. With housing shortages and high storage costs, people are actively looking for affordable places to store their belongings. You can help them while earning money.

How Much Can You Realistically Earn?

Your earning potential depends on location, space size, and what you're offering.

Amsterdam

10m² garage: €150-€250/month 20m² basement: €300-€500/month Annual income: €1,800-€6,000

Rotterdam / Utrecht / Den Haag

10m² space: €120-€230/month 20m² space: €240-€460/month Annual income: €1,440-€5,520

Smaller Cities

10m² space: €100-€180/month 20m² space: €200-€360/month Annual income: €1,200-€4,320

These are passive income streams that require minimal effort once set up.

What Spaces Work Best?

Garages

Most popular for storage. Perfect for furniture, boxes, bicycles, and even vehicles. Ground-level access makes it easy for renters.

Basements

Ideal for long-term storage. Usually climate-stable and secure. Great for furniture and household items.

Attics

Perfect for lighter items and boxes. Access might be limited by stairs, but excellent for document storage and seasonal items.

Sheds and Garden Storage

Good for weather-resistant items, tools, sports equipment, and bicycles.

Spare Rooms

Most climate-controlled option. Best for items needing extra care like electronics, musical instruments, or sensitive documents.

Legal Requirements in the Netherlands

Before you start hosting, understand the legal framework:

Tax Obligations

Income from renting storage space is taxable in the Netherlands. You must declare it on your annual tax return ("aangifte inkomstenbelasting").

Under €6,000/year: Usually qualifies as "overige inkomsten" (other income) Over €6,000/year: Might be considered business income, consult a tax advisor

Keep records of all income and related expenses (maintenance, insurance, utilities).

Homeowner's Insurance

Notify your insurance company that you're renting out space. Most policies allow this, but some require a rider or adjustment. This protects both you and your renter.

Rental Property Considerations

If you're renting your home, check your lease. Most landlords allow storage rental from garage or shed, but apartment rentals might have restrictions. Always get written permission.

HOA / VvE Rules

If you live in an apartment complex with a Vereniging van Eigenaren (VvE), check the bylaws. Some associations restrict commercial activities.

Setting Up Your Storage Space

Preparation Steps:

Clean Thoroughly: Clear out your space completely. Sweep, dust, and ensure it's presentable.
Check for Issues: Look for leaks, moisture, pests, or structural problems. Address these before listing.
Maximize Space: Install shelving or hooks if appropriate. Vertical space is valuable.
Ensure Security: Working locks are essential. Consider adding extra security for shared spaces.
Take Photos: Good photos attract renters. Show the space empty, clean, and well-lit.
Measure Accurately: Know your exact square meters. Measure length × width.

Pricing Your Space Competitively

Research Local Market

Check what similar spaces cost in your area. On buurito.nl, you can see active listings in your city.

Consider These Factors:

Location Premium: City center spaces command 30-40% more than suburbs.

Features Add Value:

Climate controlled: +20-30%
24/7 access: +15-25%
Ground floor: +10-15%
Security cameras: +10-20%
Drive-in access: +15-25%

Size Sweet Spot: 10-20m² spaces are most in demand. Too small (under 5m²) limits renters. Too large (over 30m²) reduces demand.

Pricing Strategy

Start Competitive: Price slightly below market for your first few renters to build reviews.

Offer Discounts: 2-month upfront (7% discount) and 3-month upfront (10% discount) attract longer bookings.

Seasonal Adjustments: May-August is peak season. You might charge 10-15% more during high demand.

Managing Your Rental

Communication is Key

Respond quickly to inquiries. Fast responses (within 24 hours) significantly increase booking rates.

Set Clear Expectations

Access Hours: Define when renters can access the space.

Prohibited Items: Be clear about what you won't accept (hazardous materials, perishables, illegal items).

Rules: No smoking, respect for property, advance notice for access, etc.

Screen Renters

Platforms like buurito.nl verify user identities, but you should also:

Meet renters in person or video call
Ask what they're storing
Check their profile and reviews
Trust your instincts

Safety and Insurance

Protecting Yourself

Platform Insurance: buurito.nl provides host protection as part of the platform.
Document Everything: Take photos before and after rental period.
Written Agreement: Use platform's booking system for legal protection.
Liability Coverage: Verify your homeowner's insurance covers hosting.

Protecting Renters

Ensure space is weatherproof and secure
Provide working locks
Maintain the space (check periodically)
Be responsive to concerns

Real Host Earnings Stories

Jan, Amsterdam: "I converted my 15m² garage into storage space. Earning €300/month consistently. It's paid for my family's summer vacations for 2 years now!"

Maria, Rotterdam: "My basement was just collecting dust. Now it brings in €180/month. I've had the same renter for 8 months—easy passive income."

Pieter, Utrecht: "I started with my shed (8m²) to test it. Made €120/month. Now I also rent my attic (12m²) for €200/month. €320 monthly for space I wasn't using!"

Common Concerns Addressed

Q: What if the renter damages something? A: Platform insurance covers damages. Document the space condition before rental with photos.

Q: Can I access my own space? A: You can reserve areas for yourself. Clearly mark what's off-limits.

Q: What about liability if someone gets injured? A: Ensure your homeowner's insurance includes liability coverage. Keep the space safe and well-maintained.

Q: How do I handle difficult renters? A: Platforms have dispute resolution. Most renters are respectful—reviews help identify good tenants.

Q: Is it worth the effort? A: For most hosts, yes. Minimal effort (few hours setup, occasional check-ins) for consistent monthly income.

Tax Deductions You Can Claim

As a storage host, you can deduct expenses:

Insurance increases
Maintenance and repairs
Security improvements (locks, cameras)
Utilities (if separately metered)
Platform service fees
Cleaning supplies

Keep all receipts and document expenses for your tax return.

Getting Started on buurito.nl

Step 1: Create a host account (free) Step 2: Complete ID verification for safety Step 3: List your space with photos and details Step 4: Set your price and availability Step 5: Respond to booking requests Step 6: Welcome your first renter Step 7: Get paid monthly

Best Practices for Successful Hosting

Professional Photos: Well-lit, clean space photos get 3x more bookings.
Detailed Descriptions: Be thorough about access, features, and limitations.
Quick Responses: Respond to inquiries within 24 hours.
Flexibility: Reasonable access arrangements attract more renters.
Build Reviews: Great service leads to 5-star reviews, which bring more bookings.
Keep It Clean: Maintain the space throughout the rental.

The Environmental Angle

By offering peer-to-peer storage, you're part of the sharing economy. Your empty garage or basement becomes useful instead of wasted space. This reduces the need for new storage facility construction and supports community-based solutions. Many hosts find this aspect rewarding beyond just the income.

Conclusion

Renting out your garage, attic, or basement in the Netherlands is a smart way to earn passive income while helping your community. With proper preparation, clear communication, and realistic pricing, you can turn unused space into €1,200-€6,000 annual income.

The sharing economy is growing, and storage is one of the easiest ways to participate. Whether you want to offset your mortgage, save for vacation, or just make better use of empty space, storage hosting offers a flexible, low-effort opportunity.

Ready to become a storage host? List your space and start earning today.