Garages, lock-ups and storage space to rent in Essex

Why Rent a Garage in Essex?

Essex is a big county, and renting a garage at one end is a very different experience from the other. In the south-west, places like Loughton and Brentwood sit right on London's edge, with the Central line and the Elizabeth line running into the city. Along the Thames, Grays, Basildon and Southend are busy, built-up towns on the c2c line. Chelmsford, the county town, sits in the middle, and further north are older market towns like Braintree, Witham, Halstead and Great Dunmow, where most people rely on the car. What they have in common is that people are short on space, whether that's somewhere off the street for the car or somewhere to put the things that no longer fit at home. That's why a garage to rent in Essex gets used for all sorts: the everyday car, a second car or a classic, a motorbike, or simply storage space for bikes, garden furniture, tools and boxes.

 

Average Garage Rental Prices in Essex

Garage prices across Essex vary quite a bit depending on where you look. The cheapest garages start from around £69 a month in Southend-on-Sea, while average prices range from £108 in Southend up to £188 in Loughton.

As a rough rule, the closer you get to London, the more you'll pay.

Loughton (£188), Harlow (£163) and Brentwood (£148) are the priciest on average, with Grays close behind at £147. In the middle of the county, Chelmsford averages £137 and Basildon £136. Head north and it gets cheaper again, with Witham at £122, Braintree at £121, Halstead at £119 and Great Dunmow at £117. Southend is the exception in the south, with the lowest average in the county at £108. Garage rental options across Essex include single and double garages, with doubles at the top of each area's range.

 

How to Choose the Right Garage in Essex

If you're keeping a car, there's no ULEZ or Clean Air Zone anywhere in Essex, so any car is fine to drive here. The catch is London. The ULEZ covers the whole of Greater London, so if your car isn't compliant and you drive across the border from Loughton, Buckhurst Hill or Brentwood, it's £12.50 a day. A garage on the Essex side keeps the car outside the zone, which matters if you live close to the edge. On-street parking is run by the North and South Essex Parking Partnerships, and most towns need a residents' permit on the busier streets.
 

For trips by train, think about which line you use. The Great Eastern Main Line runs through Colchester, Witham and Chelmsford, the Elizabeth line ends at Shenfield, the Central line reaches out to Loughton and Epping, and c2c serves Southend, Basildon and Grays. A garage near your usual station makes it much easier to fit into your week.
 

Then check the size. A standard UK single garage can be as small as 2.4 metres wide and 4.9 metres long, which still gives you nearly 12 square metres of floor, plenty for a mid-sized car or the contents of a small flat. The housing association garages around Braintree, Witham and Halstead are a little bigger, at about 2.5 by 5 metres, and they're set up for vehicles. Whichever town you're in, look at the photos of the door and lock before you book, check how access works, and let your insurer know where the car will be kept overnight.

 

Tips for Renting a Lock-Up in Essex

Search by postcode rather than by town name. Essex towns often run into each other, like Braintree and Bocking, or Basildon and Laindon, and the closest garage to your front door might be listed on Stashbee under the town next door. It's also an easy way to spot a cheaper option just over the boundary.
 

Then think about the trade-off between price and convenience. Near London you'll pay more, but you'll be close to the Tube and the city. If it's storage you'll only visit now and then, a garage further out can save you a fair bit: the gap between the Loughton and Braintree averages works out at around £800 a year. And if you only need to rent garage space for a short time, check the minimum term on the listing.

 

FAQs

How much does it cost to rent a garage in Essex?

It depends on the town. Garages start from around £69 a month in Southend-on-Sea, and average prices range from £108 in Southend to £188 in Loughton. Towns closer to London are generally pricier, while north Essex towns like Braintree, Witham and Halstead average around £120. Size makes a difference too, with doubles at the top of each area's range.

 

Where are the cheapest garages in Essex?

On average, Southend-on-Sea (£108) is the cheapest, followed by Great Dunmow (£117), Halstead (£119) and Braintree (£121). If you're after the lowest possible price for a smaller garage, Southend starts from £69, and Chelmsford and Great Dunmow both have garages from £88. It's worth searching a few neighbouring towns, as prices can change a lot within a short drive.

 

Where can I rent a garage near London in Essex?

Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Brentwood all sit right on the London border. Loughton averages £188 a month and Brentwood £148. Both are well connected, with the Central line at Loughton and the Elizabeth line at nearby Shenfield. Keeping the car on the Essex side also keeps it outside London's ULEZ, which is worth knowing if your car isn't compliant.

 

Can I store a car in a garage in Essex?

Yes. Most garages were built with cars in mind, and a standard single can be as small as 2.4 metres wide and 4.9 metres long, so a small or mid-sized car will usually fit. Just measure the door if you drive something bigger. If your car is off the road with a SORN, a private garage counts as off-road, so it's an easy way to keep an untaxed car legal.

 

How do I rent a garage in Essex?

Search your postcode on Stashbee and you'll see the garages and lock-up garages to rent near you, with photos, sizes and prices. Everything you see is available, so there's no waiting list. Check the door size, access and security, then message the owner with any questions or book online.