New Brighton website allows you to rent out your cupboard

4:10pm Monday 9th July 2012 in News By Bill Gardner

Empty garages, sheds and cupboards across Brighton and Hove could soon be stuffed full of strangers’ belongings.

A new service launched in Brighton this week allows people to rent storage space from their neighbours.

According to Shaff Prabatani, the founder of www.storemates.co.uk, people could earn up to £80 a month for renting out half an attic.

Users of the community project are also being encouraged to trade space for other services, such as gardening, dog walking or babysitting.

Neighbours using the service will have to sign legal contracts similar to a tenancy agreement to protect the property.

Community worker Mr Prabatani came up with the idea after running out of living space when his girlfriend moved into his tiny Brighton flat.

As they were planning to start a family, the couple decided to upgrade to a house and needed time to save for a deposit.

In the meantime, they needed additional storage space for their camping equipment and winter clothes.

Put off by expensive commercial self-storage prices, Mr Prabatani dropped home-made flyers through the letterboxes of all his neighbours asking if they had any room to store his extra items in return for a fee.

He said: “I was amazed. Fifteen people contacted me offering to store my stuff in their lofts, garages, spare rooms, even under their bed.

“This was the first time I had contact with my neighbours, who were all wonderfully helpful. Eventually I stored my belongings in a neighbour’s garage for less than half the monthly price of the cheapest local self-storage centre.”

Lucy Pook, a nutritional therapist from Brighton, was one of the first people to list space on Storemates in the city.

She said: “When I first heard of Storemates, I thought this was a really good way of helping someone out locally while being able to earn a little extra for my holiday fund.

“The service seemed really friendly and safe and I like the idea of being able to support someone in my local community who is struggling with space.”

Comments(16)

Ligand Fields says...
4:12pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Rent out the space under your bed?? I feel this advertorial is best red after watching 'Pulp Fiction'.

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Old Ladys Gin says...
4:35pm Mon 9 Jul 12

The scruffy seaside resort of Brighton and Hove has always been a place where lose people come to stay, and then go.
That is 99 percent of its character..always has been and probably always will.
These day it is, as so many are, a student town. In the past perhaps it was full of Regency bucks who would also have treated the place as a good place for the sins of the flesh.
That is Brighton.

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The Real Phil says...
4:55pm Mon 9 Jul 12

In a city like Brighton and Hove which is supposed to be eco-aware, friendly and co-operative this is a great idea. Such a shame that it has been tarnished by bringing money into the equation. Trading space for favors is good, anything else is just money grubbing tosh.

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Brighton-girl says...
7:14pm Mon 9 Jul 12

I wouldnt rent out a space under your bed if i was you, You never know what they are going to be puting there ;)

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mimseycal says...
8:15pm Mon 9 Jul 12

The basic concept is good. I agree with The Real Phil though ... bringing money into the equation somehow demeans it.

BTW, you do know that any income, regardless of how you have gained in, has to be declared to the HM revenue.

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lorrie1 says...
8:57pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Can someone help me out? Ive got two tonnes of Heroin I need to store for a couple of weeks!

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mimseycal says...
9:11pm Mon 9 Jul 12

lorrie1 wrote:
Can someone help me out? Ive got two tonnes of Heroin I need to store for a couple of weeks!
Sure ... just call 01273 665665

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All 9 of me says...
10:54pm Mon 9 Jul 12

lorrie1 wrote:
Can someone help me out? Ive got two tonnes of Heroin I need to store for a couple of weeks!
from most of the content of your posts, I'd say you only have a few grams left

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Maxwell's Ghost says...
11:45pm Mon 9 Jul 12

I think you'll find that most attics and cupboards in Brighton and Hove are filled with people, mostly returning home unemployed graduates.

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Andy R says...
9:22am Tue 10 Jul 12

Why is everyone getting so sniffy about money being involved? Seems perfectly reasonable to me, and not unlike flogging stuff you don't want anymore at boot sales or on ebay.

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mimseycal says...
9:37am Tue 10 Jul 12

Andy R wrote:
Why is everyone getting so sniffy about money being involved? Seems perfectly reasonable to me, and not unlike flogging stuff you don't want anymore at boot sales or on ebay.
I suppose it is the difference between a capitalist value system and a caring society. The two just do not mix very well.

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Ligand Fields says...
10:29am Tue 10 Jul 12

mimseycal wrote:
Andy R wrote: Why is everyone getting so sniffy about money being involved? Seems perfectly reasonable to me, and not unlike flogging stuff you don't want anymore at boot sales or on ebay.
I suppose it is the difference between a capitalist value system and a caring society. The two just do not mix very well.
where do you think the money to pay for your Welfare State comes from, you myopic moomin? Lesbian poetry workshops?

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mimseycal says...
10:40am Tue 10 Jul 12

Nope dear ... My income tax along with that of the many many others who are lucky enough to be gainfully employed ;)

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Ligand Fields says...
10:45am Tue 10 Jul 12

well I just hope all those raking in cash from renting out the space under their bed are informing HMRC of their little scheme. And also that they have a valid brothel license.

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Joshiman says...
11:50am Tue 10 Jul 12

HMRC know who you are.Expect the cupboard/under the bed revenue inspectors.Someone has to make up for taxes unpaid by multimillionaires.

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Share Angel says...
2:30pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Shaff here from Storemates - great debate! thought I'd add a little if thats OK. Re - money most of the people who have benefited are on low incomes like students and families who can't afford storage and so are storing with their neighbours, many pay very little or don't pay anything as they trade a service like dog walking or gardening for storage space. Many making a little money from renting storage are financially squeezed or are retired/ pensioners but with some extra space (often after their kids have left home). So it's a welcome help. We also stress on the site that secondary incomes should be declared too. Please note all items are inspected before being stored and there is a contract, itenary proof of ID etc so its safe and above aboard. 600 listings so far an not a single abuse of trust (fingers crossed!) People generally are community minded, helpful and love to share!

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