Rent out your private parking space in Switzerland: 2026 guide

Good to know: this article is for information only and is not legal, tax or insurance advice. Rules can vary by canton and by your situation. Check with a qualified professional or the relevant authorities.

A parking space that sits empty all week. A garage you no longer need since you sold the car. A space in your condominium that nobody uses. These few square metres are easy to rent out, often by the month, to someone in the neighbourhood. Here is how to go about it, and what is worth clarifying before you publish.

What to clarify before you publish

It only takes a few minutes, and it avoids unpleasant surprises.

If you own a flat in a condominium (PPE / StWE), the space is often a share of the co-ownership or a special right of use. The community's rules may limit what you can do with it. Read them again, or simply ask the condominium's management before you publish.

If you rent your home and the space is part of your lease, your contract decides what you can do with it. The useful habit: ask your property management company (régie / Verwaltung) or your landlord for written agreement before you publish. It is quick, and it removes any doubt later on.

If you own a detached house, things are usually simpler. There may still be an easement or neighbourhood rules. Your deed of purchase will tell you.

If in doubt, ask your property management company, the condominium's management or a legal adviser. These questions depend on your contract and your canton. Only they can answer for your case.

What price to ask?

There is no single rate. The price of a space varies a lot with the municipality, the distance to a station or town centre, and the type of space. Rather than start from a theoretical figure, look at what comparable listings in your neighbourhood ask. Same street if possible, same type of space. Then adjust.

What makes the difference:

• Covered or outdoor: a closed box or an underground space rents for more than an open-air space.
• Access: badge, remote control, key, access around the clock or limited hours.
• Location: walking distance to a station, a town centre, a hospital or a school.
• Size: a wide or high space appeals to vans, SUVs or motorbikes.
• Duration: by the month, by the quarter, or for a set period.

What to state in your listing

A precise listing brings fewer messages, but much better ones. Include:

• the type of space (outdoor space, underground space, closed box, garage);
• the usable size, and the maximum height if it is underground;
• how access works and any time restrictions;
• the date it is free and the minimum period you want;
• what is included (electricity, lighting, automatic gate);
• the uses you accept or not: car only, motorbike, trailer, storage.

A few clear photos are worth more than a long description. Show the space itself, the entrance and the way in. Take them in daylight, at eye level.

Practical points not to forget

Tax. How rental income is taxed depends on your canton and your personal situation. Ask your cantonal tax office or a fiduciary before you start.

Insurance. Before you let someone else use your space, ask your insurer what your personal liability insurance (RC) covers. Where relevant, ask about the building insurance too. Think in particular of damage to the vehicle or to the fittings. One phone call is usually enough.

Written agreement. Even for a parking space, a simple written agreement avoids many misunderstandings. Note the parties, the space, the amount, the duration, the notice period and how access works. Each of you keeps a copy.

How it works on SpareSpot

SpareSpot is a Swiss platform for renting spaces between private individuals, available in four languages. In practice:

• listing a space is free and no commission is charged;
• interested renters write to you through the built-in messaging, and you choose whom to accept;
• your exact address stays private: the map only shows an approximate area, and the address is shared only once you accept;
• payment is arranged directly between you and the renter. The platform does not handle payments.

To list your space, go to the page for owners. You can also see what is currently for rent among garages and parking spaces, for example in Lausanne or Geneva.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent out my parking space if I am a tenant?

Your lease decides that. The simplest way is to ask your property management company or your landlord for written agreement before you publish. If you are unsure what your contract says, they are also the ones to ask.

Do I have to declare the rental income?

It depends on your canton and your personal situation. Ask your cantonal tax office or a fiduciary. They can answer for your specific case.

How much can I ask for a parking space?

It depends mainly on the municipality, the distance to a station or town centre, and the type of space (outdoor, underground, closed box). The most reliable way is to compare similar listings in your neighbourhood before you set your price. You can adjust it later.

Is my address visible to the public?

No. On SpareSpot, the map only shows an approximate area around the space. The exact address is shared only once you have accepted a request.

Can I rent out my space for storing something other than a car?

You decide which uses you accept, and you state them clearly in the listing. First check with the building's management that the planned use is not a problem. Then check with your insurer that it is covered.