Airbnb for Parking Spaces: ParkatmyHouse Launches in Boston
Need somewhere to pahk your car? ParkatmyHouse.com is here to help.
The UK website, which serves as an online marketplace for renting and leasing parking spots, launched in the U.S. today, starting with east coast cities including Boston, New York and DC.
The site is similar to an Airbnb or Zipcar for parking spots, in that it functions on the collaborative consumption model of peer-to-peer sharing, trading and renting. Owners list their available parking spots, provide details on location and features such as lighting and security and set rental prices. Drivers looking for a spot can search ParkatmyHouse by location, type of spot (outdoor, garage, etc.) and length of rental. ParkatmyHouse manages the booking and payment process, so, unlike Craigslist, you wont run the risk of being thwarted out of money or murdered.
Its also a fantastic way to earn a few extra bucks. And by a few extra bucks, we mean a couple thousand. According to a press release, since its launch in September 2006, ParkatmyHouse earned UK homeowners more than $5 million. On the other end of things, renters save up to 70 percent compared to traditional parking garages and meters.
As someone who pays a hefty amount to park in a local garage, I was curious to see if I could get a better deal in a similar location on ParkatmyHouse. The interface is incredibly easy to use, and I really liked how you can narrow down your search by price range and different amenities. However, the site is lacking breakdown by specific neighborhoods, so for example, if youre looking for a spot in Beacon Hill, it pulls up all Boston-area parking spots available. Helpful for comparisons, but not as specific as Id like.
I imagine ParkatmyHouse would be most useful to people looking for daily parking or parking for sporting events, both of which can get expensive in traditional parking garages. Next time I head to Foxobourgh for a Pats game (or a trip to the new casino?), Ill be sure to check in with ParkatmyHouse.
The site is similar to an Airbnb or Zipcar for parking spots, in that it functions on the collaborative consumption model of peer-to-peer sharing, trading and renting. Owners list their available parking spots, provide details on location and features such as lighting and security and set rental prices. Drivers looking for a spot can search ParkatmyHouse by location, type of spot (outdoor, garage, etc.) and length of rental. ParkatmyHouse manages the booking and payment process, so, unlike Craigslist, you wont run the risk of being thwarted out of money or murdered.
Its also a fantastic way to earn a few extra bucks. And by a few extra bucks, we mean a couple thousand. According to a press release, since its launch in September 2006, ParkatmyHouse earned UK homeowners more than $5 million. On the other end of things, renters save up to 70 percent compared to traditional parking garages and meters.
As someone who pays a hefty amount to park in a local garage, I was curious to see if I could get a better deal in a similar location on ParkatmyHouse. The interface is incredibly easy to use, and I really liked how you can narrow down your search by price range and different amenities. However, the site is lacking breakdown by specific neighborhoods, so for example, if youre looking for a spot in Beacon Hill, it pulls up all Boston-area parking spots available. Helpful for comparisons, but not as specific as Id like.
I imagine ParkatmyHouse would be most useful to people looking for daily parking or parking for sporting events, both of which can get expensive in traditional parking garages. Next time I head to Foxobourgh for a Pats game (or a trip to the new casino?), Ill be sure to check in with ParkatmyHouse.
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