Garages

South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) have a number of garages throughout the district, which can be rented by council tenants and the general public. If you are a council tenant you will not be offered a garage if your rent account is in arrears. Private applicants are offered a garage tenancy initially for one year.

Rent is charged per week - £6.64 for SCDC tenants and £10.77 for non-tenants.

How do I go about making an enquiry?

You can call us on 08450 450 051, Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm or you can write to us:

Housing Services
South Cambridgeshire District Council,
South Cambridgeshire Hall,
Cambourne Business Park,
Cambourne
Cambridge CB23 6EA

You'll be asked for your name, address, telephone and/or email details and whether you're and SCDC tenant. Garages are not rented out for storage purposes so you'll also need to confirm that you own a vehicle, and give the type and registration number details.

An application form to must be completed indicating a preference of location and returned to the housing services department.

What happens next?

The housing services department will write back to you within 14 days of receipt of the application form. The letter will tell you if there is a vacant garage in your chosen area and offer this to you, or tell you that have been placed on the waiting list if there isn't one available. If we offer you a garage, you must contact us to arrange to sign a garage tenancy agreement. We will also tell you if you need to supply a padlock to lock the garage, or if you need to pick up a key from us.

If you have been told that you have been placed on the waiting list the housing services team will notify you once a garage becomes available.

What can I store in my garage?

Garages must not be used for any purpose other than ordinary domestic use. Paraffin, petrol, Calor Gas or any other dangerous or explosive materials must not be stored in garages, other than in small quantities for domestic use and only if contained in suitable containers.

I am a private applicant and have a garage. Do I need to re-apply after 1 year?

No, your garage tenancy will continue until you wish to terminate it, or you are asked to vacate the garage by us.

If the housing department ask me to vacate the garage, how much notice would they give me?

We will give you 4 weeks notice, in writing.

Will I receive a rent card?

Yes, if you are not a council tenant. Once you sign your tenancy agreement we will arrange for a rent card to be sent to you. If you are an existing council tenant, a new rent card will NOT be sent, the garage rent will be added to your existing rent card.

How can I pay my rent for the garage?

There are a number of different ways to pay:

  • Monthly Direct Debit
  • Visiting the cash office at Cambridge City Council Offices at Hobson House, 44 st Andrews Street, Cambridge.
  • By GIRO card at Post Office
  • Or over the telephone

When you sign for your garage tenancy these options will be discussed with you.

What happens if my circumstances change?

You must notify the housing services department in writing (address above). Please include your garage application number or garage address (as appropriate) and detail any changes. We will write back to you within 14 days of receipt of your letter.

Positions on the garage waiting list

If you apply to rent a council garage and there are no vacant garages at that time, you will be placed on the waiting list. You can contact us to find out where on the list you are at any time.

Please note that council tenants will be given priority for renting a garage over non-council tenants on the waiting list.

How long will I have to wait for a garage?

Unfortunately, we cannot predict when a garage will become available to rent. Once you are at the top of the waiting list and a garage becomes available we will contact you.

Termination of council garage tenancy

How do I terminate the tenancy?

You must must give for clear weeks notice, in writing (to the address above). You should include, your name, address and the garage address in your letter to us.

What happens next?

We will write back to you within 14 days of receipt of your letter to confirm the termination date for the garage tenancy.

What do I do next?

  • You must ensure that your garage has been cleared and left clean and tidy.
  • You must also make sure that any rent due on the garage is paid up until the date of termination.
  • If your garage has keys, you must ensure that they are returned to us, either on the day of termination or before. Failure to do this will result in rent being charged to you until the keys are received.

I have paid my last Direct Debit payment and my rent account for the garage is clear. What do I do now?

It is advisable to cancel the Direct Debit with your Bank/Building Society.

I have given notice on my garage, but have changed my mind. What should I do?

You must write to us (address above) as soon as possible informing us of your decision.