Everyday Items That Could Be Collecting Dollars Instead Of Dust
You'd be surprised at the money you can make by renting out things you own. Why wouldn't you make a bit of money off them if you're not using them? These items range from the simplest things you overlook daily to the more obvious rental opportunities. Let's explore some things in your home right now that you could make a few hundred dollars a month by renting out!
Tools Large & Small
From drills to chainsaws, large and small tools that collect dust in your garage could net you a few extra monthly dollars. Whether you've got a neighbor looking for a miter saw for a week's building project, or your entire Bosch tool bag, if you've got tools you're not using, some people would pay you well for their project.
Rent Out Your Old Laptop To Students
While we don't recommend renting out your brand-new gaming laptop, that old machine that you've had kicking around for a few years and has been wiped and reset to the factory defaults? That could be perfect for a young student who needs basic internet browsing and word processing. Rent it out for a semester or for a specific project.
Rent Out Your Recreational Equipment
Whether you have an extra kayak you're not using, or an electric bike, mountain bike, or road bike, you could rent out these recreational items to incoming tourists (if you live in a tourist-rich industry), or simply to members of the community. This is a great opportunity to make money throughout the summer months, or year-round if you have winter gear too!
Photography Equipment
If you're a professional photographer or even just a hobbyist, you could make some extra money by renting out your photography equipment. If you have special lenses, like a long-range zoom lens, that could make them even more desirable.
Offer Your Yard For Outdoor Gatherings
If you have a large yard that goes unused for much of the year, you could offer that space for outdoor gatherings to your community. Rent out the space for birthday parties, family picnics, reunions, and more. This is particularly enticing if you have an outdoor pool (which you could include in the rental), exterior power sources, and a covered gazebo of some sort.
Fitness Equipment
If you put your treadmill away for the summer months, or haven't used your stationary bike since the snow stopped falling, then it might be a good idea to rent it out rather than let it collect dust. Fitness equipment is always in high demand for a variety of clientele, from schools and seniors centers to private individuals like fitness coaches.
High-Tech Gadgetry
If you're the owner of a drone or a pair of VR goggles, or some other piece of high-tech gadgetry, you could rent these expensive items out and make a fortune! Whether you're renting them out to a student for a school project, photography, commercial filmmaking, or even a cool party, just ensure that the person you've rented them to (in the case of drones) is licensed to fly them.
Watercraft Are Money Makers
Not everyone has enough money for a big boat, a yacht, or even a jet ski. If you own one of these and moor/dock it at a local harbor, you could make some serious coin renting it out for private parties, family gatherings, or even casual boating. For example, renting out a pontoon boat could net anywhere from $200 to $600 per day.
Got Extra Party Supplies?
Most people love to party, but almost nobody wants to buy a million balloons, 10 tables, 100 chairs, and so on. If you've got party supplies collecting basement dust, consider renting them out for local events. You could be making a few hundred dollars per month by doing so!
Parking Space Is At A Premium
Living in a built-up city or suburb likely means that your parking space is at a premium. If you don't have a car but do have a driveway, you could rent out that parking space to someone who works in the city but commutes from way outside because of the parking issue. You can use apps like Spacer or Parking Cupid to learn more and earn passive income by renting out your driveway.
Baby Gear For Short-Term Rentals
Instead of selling your used baby gear like strollers, high chairs, and car seats, you could choose to rent it out for short-term rentals for expectant parents. You might end up selling the gear at the end of the rental, or, if you think you might need it again someday, you could hang onto it once the rental period is up.
Your Collection Of Fancy Clothing
If you have a collection of fancy clothing, like formal dresses or even a few suits, but you never wear them, consider renting them out to those who may be in need. Search for large-scale formal events like high school proms or weddings in your area and see if you can make a few hundred dollars by temporarily flogging off your fancy clothes.
Camping Or Outdoor Gear
Do you have a couple of old tents that are in perfectly good shape, but otherwise collecting dust in your basement? Consider shaking off those cobwebs and renting them out to locals, tourists, or even to a campground on an annual basis. You could also do the same with that pop-up camper that you bought as an "investment" but have never used. They usually rent for hundreds of dollars a week.
Got A Car That's Idle? Rent It Out
Using apps like Turo or Getaround, you could rent out your car for a few days a week, or for a few hours a day—whenever you're not using it, basically. You'd have a wide range of prospective clients, everyone from would-be Uber drivers to your friend's friend who needs a car for a week during their visit. Ensure your insurance policy will cover this, but unless you're paying for some absurdly cheap plan with no coverage, you should be fine.
Rent Out Your Bike Or E-Bike
Whether you've got a traditional bicycle or a fancy e-bike, renting this out is a great way to earn some extra money. Especially if you normally drive to work or work from home, you could help out another commuter and earn a few extra dollars at the end of each week for doing so. Be sure you attach a tracking device of some sort to your bike and duly vet any possible renters.
Got An Extra Bedroom? Rent It Out On A Short-Term Basis
While short-term rentals may be the scourge of long-term renters, they're definitely a lucrative way to make some extra cash every month. If you've got a spare bedroom that sits empty, why not rent it out through Vrbo, AirBnB, or something similar? If you live in a touristy area, you could make hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a month.
Share The Sound Of Music?
If you're an avid musician but don't get the chance to play with your instruments as often as you'd like, consider renting them out for a small fee to an up-and-coming young bright spark. If your musical instruments are of high enough value, consider obtaining insurance for them.
Rent Out Your RV
If you're the kind of family that likes to go away for the winter, there's no sense just letting your RV sit there unused. See if anyone that heads south for the winter would be interested in renting it out for the months that you're away! This could be a huge moneymaker, you just have to ensure that your insurance would cover it.
Rent Out Your Hauling Trailer
If you've got a trailer that you use to haul things from A to B, chances are you're the envy of every construction boss and farmer from here to the next town over. Consider renting our your hauling trailer to these folks from time to time, even for a small job, as it could make their lives immeasurably easier—and give you a few extra dollars in your pocket.
Spare Scaffolding? You're Sitting On A Gold Mine
Many tradespeople, from builders to painters to roofers, need scaffolding. As it is, they're likely having to buy a full set (at a huge cost) or rent it out from a commercial company for hundreds of dollars per week. If you've got spare scaffolding sitting around the back garden from your own house build, you could be sitting on a needed item for tradespeople who would pay you handsomely for it. Bonus points if they're local.
Green Thumb? Rent Out Your Garden Tools
You might have once been a huge green thumb and grown everything under the sun for yourself and your family. But if that's no longer the case, you might still have that rototiller or that high-powered weed whacker that you no longer need. Consider renting out these tools to the other green thumbs in your neighborhood.
Rent Out Your Motorbike For A Different Travel Experience
Sure, renting out your car or RV is one thing, but what if you want to give people an entirely different experience? Consider renting out your motorbike to those who've always dreamt of a motorcycle trip down the Californian coast, or taking their loved one on a cross-country journey. As with all vehicle rentals, check to see if your insurance will change, and make sure the renter has the appropriate licensing to ride one.
Let Others Go All-Terrain On Your ATV
If you've got an ATV, then you know how much fun one of those things can be! Share the fun with others and consider renting out your ATV to your fellow thrill-seekers to share in the daredevilery of ATV riding. Ensure they're always riding responsibly and that they sign an indemnity letter, releasing you of any liability should they have an accident or injure themselves or another person as a result of their reckless driving.
Rent Out Your Massage Table
If you're a massage therapist, used to be a massage therapist, or are simply a person with a massage table, then maybe you could make money by renting out your massage table to those practicing mobile massage therapy. If you've got a massage therapist that you see regularly, with only one table, why not offer them access to yours? It's a great way to make some extra money every month, and maybe you'll get a free massage out of it!
What Everyday Things Do You Rent Out? Let Us Know Below
If you've figured out this rental market side hustle, let us know in the comments below what things you rent out to others! Have you rented out your boat for a party? A fancy dress or suit for a prom or wedding? Maybe your car spends time on the road without you driving it? Let us know below.
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