Rent a garage or lock-up near me in Leicester

Find the Right Garage to Rent in Leicester

In Leicester, there’s a lot of helpful information you could use before renting the right garage. We’re here to help guide that decision by telling you all you need to know. Whether it’s price spikes near term-time or floods to be wary of when the River Soar overflows, the more local knowledge you’ve got, the better.


 

Things to Look Out For While Renting a Lockup in Leicester

Garages in areas like Clarendon Park or LE1 near the University stay affordable year-round. But if you try to book one in July or September, you’ll run into a price hike thanks to the student move-in and move-out rush. The demand is high during this time and stock is limited and unless you lock something in at least three months ahead, you might be left overpaying or heading much further out to the suburbs.

Whereas places like Oadby, Evington, and even Blaby tend to offer more consistent pricing and fewer surprises. They sit higher up, which helps with flooding, and the garages themselves are often in better condition, which is ideal if you’re storing anything moisture-sensitive like documents or wooden furniture. You’re also less likely to be competing with students or short-term renters, which means more stable contracts and less chance of someone snapping it up underneath you.

However, you need to make sure you don’t make the most common mistake of overlooking the hidden costs. For example, if you’re using a garage in Braunstone to store business stock or tools, you might unintentionally trigger council business rates, which can run to £1,000+ a year. According to Leicester City Council, even small storage spaces used for commercial purposes may qualify as non-domestic premises and get billed accordingly.
If you’re unsure about zoning or usage rules, it’s worth checking the Leicester City Council planning portal or using a platform like Stashbee that verifies all that before you even book.

In certain parts of the city, we’ve also seen a rise in  "driveway tax" scams, where rogue landlords try to charge “access fees” just to use the shared alley that leads to the garage. Always ask for written proof of access rights. If they can’t show you anything official, walk away.


 

Tips for Renting a Garage in Leicester

Weather's another factor people underestimate. Leicester’s October to January monsoon season hits garages near the River Soar hard. According to Environment Acgency’s flood map, Aylestone, Belgrave, and Bede Island are particularly flood-prone. If you're looking in these areas, ask if the unit has raised flooring, a sump pump, or even just concrete flooring instead of gravel, that alone can make a difference when the rain rolls in.

Humidity’s a year-round problem, Leicester averages 80–90% relative humidity in winter (Met Office), especially in older red-brick garages, many of which don’t have proper ventilation. If you're storing furniture, electronics, or even tools, look for units with power sockets so you can run a dehumidifier. It might cost you an extra fiver a month in electricity, but it’ll save you a lot more in damage.

Some renters even ask for sinkhole reports, especially in parts of New Parks, where the limestone geology has caused problems before. It might sound extreme, but if you're storing expensive stock or a vehicle, it’s not a bad question to raise.

Flood risk aside, there are a few areas that are well-suited for storage. Knighton Fields, for example, is popular among students splitting storage space. Two or three people can share a garage, which works out far cheaper than using commercial self-storage.

Finally, some renter mistakes are easily avoidable. People storing classic cars on bare concrete floors in Thurmaston have seen rust creep in within a season, mostly because of salt damp left behind from gritted roads. Others have rented in Queen’s Road without checking height clearance, only to discover their van doesn’t fit through the door. It sounds basic, but always ask for dimensions. A surprising number of Leicester garages are better suited to bikes than SUVs.

Get the right garage, and it makes your life simpler. But in Leicester, the right choice depends on more than just price.