UK drivers collectively waste more than four days per year just circling for a parking spot. That figure from recent research on parking habits isn’t just a frustration statistic — it tells you something critical about the commercial space you’re thinking of renting. If your customers, staff, or delivery vans can’t park easily, your business starts every day at a disadvantage.
I’ve spent years covering commercial property in the UK, and the parking question comes up more often than you’d think. People focus on square footage, lease length, and rent — then realise on day one that there’s nowhere for anyone to leave their car. That’s a problem you can fix before you sign anything. Here’s what you actually need to know.
What parking availability actually means for your business
It’s tempting to treat parking as a minor detail. It isn’t. The number of spaces, their location, and who controls them directly affects your footfall, your staff retention, and your delivery logistics. If you’re running a retail or hospitality business, every minute a customer spends looking for a space is a minute they’re not spending with you. For offices, a lack of parking can make it harder to attract talent — especially if your team commutes from areas with poor public transport.
What I’d do first: walk the street at different times of day. A space that looks empty at 10am might be packed by lunchtime. That simple observation has saved people I’ve advised from signing leases that looked good on paper but failed in practice.
Why parking matters more than you think
In London alone, parking demand exceeds supply in 78% of boroughs. That means even if your lease includes a couple of spaces, the surrounding area is likely under pressure. Hospital and city centre car parks are often full by 9am, which pushes drivers into residential streets — many of which are permit-only or restricted.
Even in the suburbs, the squeeze is real. Increased car ownership, conversions to Houses in Multiple Occupation, and expanding permit zones have all made on-street parking harder to rely on. If your business depends on customers driving in, you need a plan that doesn’t assume they’ll find a spot by luck.
I’ve noticed that businesses in suburban areas often underestimate this. They assume parking is plentiful because the high street looks quiet. But quiet doesn’t mean available — many spaces are privately owned or time-restricted. My advice: check the local council’s parking map before you view the property, not after.
Where people go wrong with commercial parking
Assuming the listed spaces are usable
A lease might say “two parking spaces included.” But are they marked? Are they accessible during your operating hours? Are they large enough for a delivery van? I’ve seen leases where the spaces were technically there but blocked by bins, other tenants, or construction work. Always visit and measure. If the space is underground, check the height clearance — many modern vans won’t fit under a 1.95m barrier.
Ignoring the permit situation
Some commercial properties sit in resident-only permit zones. That means your staff and customers can’t park on the street without a visitor permit or a business permit — both of which cost money and take time to arrange. Check with the local council before you sign. A property that looks affordable can become expensive once you factor in permit fees for five or six staff members.
Overlooking the cost of renting extra spaces
If your lease doesn’t include enough parking, you might need to rent additional spaces nearby. Prices vary wildly. A secure space in Middlesex can go for £961 per month, while an allocated outdoor space in Manchester might be £110 per month. That difference matters when you’re budgeting. Don’t assume you can find cheap overflow parking — check platforms like Parklet or Parkingspacerentals to see what’s actually available in the area.
→ Scroll right to see all columns
| Location | Monthly Rent | Type |
|---|---|---|
| London, SE12 | £130 | Secure 24/7 bay near station |
| London, HA98EH | £961 | Marked bay, all the way in |
| London, SE17 | £150 | 5–10 min walk from tube |
| London, SW1V | £400 | Garage, 1.95m height |
Not checking restrictive covenants
If the property is leasehold, your lease might contain a clause that prevents you from using the parking for certain purposes — or from subletting it. This is especially common in mixed-use developments. A tenant landlord lawyer can review the lease and flag any restrictions before you commit. It’s a small cost compared to the headache of discovering you can’t use the spaces the way you planned.
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How to assess and secure parking for your commercial space
Start with the lease and the local council
Your first move is to read the lease’s parking clause carefully. Does it specify a number of spaces? Are they allocated or shared? Is there a service charge for maintenance? Then check the council’s parking portal for permit zones, loading restrictions, and business parking schemes. Some councils offer discounted permits for commercial tenants. You won’t know unless you ask.
Visit at the wrong time
View the property during your busiest expected hours. If you’re a café, visit at 11am on a Saturday. If you’re an office, visit at 9am on a Tuesday. That’s when you’ll see the real parking situation — not the quiet version the agent shows you at 2pm on a Wednesday. Take photos. Count the cars. Note how long it takes to find a space.
Consider renting overflow spaces
If the property doesn’t have enough parking, look at nearby spaces available on platforms like Parklet or Parkingspacerentals. You can often rent a dedicated bay for £75 to £300 per month, depending on the location. That’s cheaper than losing customers or paying staff parking fines. A financial advisor can help you model the total cost of parking — including permits, rented spaces, and potential fines — so you know the real monthly figure before you sign.
Plan for future changes
Parking rules change. Councils expand permit zones, build cycle lanes, and introduce clean air zones. If your lease runs for five or ten years, the parking situation around you could look very different by year three. Ask the agent or landlord about any planned local transport changes. If nothing is documented, check the council’s local plan online. It’s public information and it can save you from a nasty surprise.
- 1Read the parking clauseCheck the lease for space allocation, shared use, and any restrictions on subletting or vehicle types.
- 2Check council rulesVisit the local council website for permit zones, business parking schemes, and planned changes.
- 3Visit at peak timeSee the property during your busiest hours to assess real-world availability.
- 4Budget for extrasFactor in permit fees, rented overflow spaces, and potential fines into your monthly costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent out my own parking space to cover costs? ▾
What if my commercial space has no parking at all? ▾
Do I need a lawyer to check the parking clause? ▾
How do I know if a parking space is big enough for my van? ▾
Can the council change parking rules after I sign the lease? ▾
Sources and Further Reading
Understanding tenant service charge arbitration in the UK — A practical guide to challenging service charges, which often include parking maintenance costs.
Top tips for renting a boutique retail lease in the UK — Covers location-specific considerations including parking and footfall.
Earn from the space you don’t use: rent out your car parking spot across the UK. Lyvi, 2025.
Parklet: parking and storage marketplace. Parklet, 2025.
Parking Space Rentals: latest adverts. ParkingSpaceRentals, 2025.
