Our Technical Director, Andy Henderson was interviewed by Steve Mills on the 6PR Breakfast Show.

Click on the link to the right for an MP3 : Spaceout on 6PR

Or see below for the transcript :

Steve : Now this is a great idea. We spotted this ad, it’s called ‘Spaceout’, and you might think ‘Ehh?’. Spaceout it means that if you’ve got a bit of excess capacity maybe a spare room or a parking bay that you’re not using or maybe a store room, people might want to actually hire it off you. Andy Henderson is the technical advisor of Spaceout and he joins us right now. Good morning to you.

Andy : Steve how are you doing?

Steve : Good mate! Tell us how Spaceout works.

Andy : Spaceout originally started as a concept for essentially private storage so you can store items that you might otherwise store in a commercial storage environment but you store it in someone’s home – might be in a shed might be in a garage might be in a spare bedroom.

The advantages are you get much cheaper rates. You can get access…negotiate as you need to with the homeowner, and from the homeowner’s perspective they’re making money out of empty space and literally making money out of thin air.

Steve : Alright, so if you jump on the Net you can register etc. Let’s say that I live in…I don’t know, Northbridge and I’ve got a parking bay, I don’t own a car but I do own a unit that’s got a parking bay, what you do is act as like the middle person in being able to rent that out is that how it works?

Andy : Yeah, we’re essentially a matchmaker. We hook people up that have a space with those that need space. Parking in particular in Perth is a big issue. We’ve seen a lot of interest in parking spaces and currently there’s none available to rent on our site. We allow people to rent spaces or advertise spaces for rent but also to say what they’re looking for, what they’re wanting. And parking space in Perth, there’s always people looking for parking spaces.

Steve : But storage…storage is also an area where people are demanding a little bit of extra space as well.

Andy : Sure…Australians are, as a whole great consumers  – we tend to accumulate stuff and we don’t like to throw it out,  so people with some spare space, a spare bedroom, a spare shed can capitalise on this by renting it out for storage… It works really well for empty nesters – the kids have left home you know they might have a family home with four/five bedrooms and they only need a couple. So those bedrooms, often gathering their own junk or gathering dust, if they can rent out a bedroom for 200 bucks a month, put someone’s stuff in it, shut the door and forget about it.

Steve : Mmm. From a business’s point of view that might choose to do that, how do they know that they’ll be…well the documents they keep there they’ll be kept safely?

Andy : Yeah we don’t actually get involved in the transaction but we certainly encourage people to negotiate…we hook people up, we get them to talk to each other, and they’ve got to be comfortable with each other…you know it works for the homeowner’s perspective as well – what are they storing there? So you’ve got to get a rapport you’ve got to trust and believe the person that’s there. So there’s an element of trust. Insurance is…is possible as well. But you know certainly that arrangement needs to be made between the space owner and the space renter.

Steve : Mmm. So how much could I make for example if I did have a car bay in Northbridge?

Andy : Prices really vary depending on demand. We get listings come up and go very quickly. You know, I couldn’t honestly say, depends on the access depends on the security, depends on…you know, what people need. So typically we’re looking anywhere between $100 and $300 a month but you know that can vary significantly.

Steve : …depending on what you’ve got.  What about if you’re a residential premise, and someone starts to come on to your property…and rents a particular part of maybe the dwelling or even the car bay one would have to look at their insurance policies too if someone was injured?

Andy : Yeah definitely you need to look at all those aspects of it. Certainly any income should be registered as income for tax purposes. Insurance-wise you should check with your insurer over what is covered and what isn’t. There are various options for the homeowner and for the person who owns the goods about how he can go about getting insurance.

Steve : Is it restricted to just being near the CBD or if someone…?

Andy : Not at all…

Steve : …If someone had spare capacity in the suburbs?

Andy : We have suburbs and even rural…we have rural listings people renting out paddocks for agistment for example and sheds…pretty much any type of space we’re trying to cater for.

Steve : Alright, it’s worth having a look at: spaceout.com.au. You got much competition Andy?

Andy : Not a lot actually there’s a few specialist parking areas but apart from that in Australia it’s pretty much us.

Steve : OK. And what got you into the idea?

Andy : Well one of the original partners was packing up and moving to Japan. He had a flat-load of furniture that he wanted to store, was horrified at the commercial rates, ended up leaving bits and pieces with mates all over the place and thought wouldn’t it be awesome if there was somewhere he could go to…that he could find someone who was able and willing to store his stuff for a period.

Steve : It’s a good idea.

Andy : Yeah well it’s…we love it and, you know, we’re getting lots of really positive support for it.

Steve : Alright, good on you Andy, appreciate your time this morning.  Take care.

Andy : Great. You too. Thanks Steve.

Steve : Andy Henderson there. If you want to check that out it’s called spaceout.com.au.

Suburban residents are turning their households into commercial property by cashing in on a new trend to rent out parking spots and spare rooms as storage units.

The new form of commercial property has been fuelled by demographic changes, which have squeezed storage in some high-density areas, while ensuring space to spare in the growing number of single person households.

And it could become a bigger business if the State Government acts on a discussion paper by the Planning Department that calls for free parking at shopping centres to be phased out. The paper calls for a cap on parking at retail and business centres across metropolitan Perth to promote public transport.

The Department of Transport warned that it was already monitoring the fledgling trend to rent out parking spots to ensure it did not breach regulations.

It said the practice was illegal in the central city area unless the site’s planning approval allowed it, it had been specifically approved by the Transport Minister, or the building received planning approval before July 1999. Breaches attracted hefty penalties of $5000.

Legal rentals were typically in apartment complexes, usually on the outskirts of the city or in the suburbs.

Renting Out Parking Space

Filmmaker Alice Ross said she decided to rent out her undercover parking spot at her Northbridge investment unit when her tenants told her they would not need it.

Rather than waste the space, she is offering it for $50 a week through Gumtree, a free local advertising website.

“It’s so easy because you don’t have to do anything except give the new tenants the key,” Ms Ross said.

Renting Out Storage Space

Residents are also turning spare rooms, garages and sheds into commercial units by renting them out as storage space, usually for $200 a month.

Andy Henderson, technical director of the Space Out website, said increasing density had put a premium on space, turning it into a handy profit-earner.

He said empty-nesters were embracing the trend, clearing out spare rooms to rent for storage.

Websites that advertise storage space offered options, including sea containers, indoor rooms, or outdoor sheds.

There was a premium on indoor facilities and rooms that could be locked and rooms that the renter could get access to independently.

“It’s literally a way to make money out of thin air,” Mr Henderson said. “It’s money for nothing.” OUT OF THIN AIR $200 The amount (a week) some empty-nesters are said to be earning by renting out spare rooms for storage.

As featured on The West

On Channel Nines Today Show this morning , Karl Stefanovic and Effy Zahos (from Money Magazine) discussed a variety of ways that people can make money from home by renting things out and earning cash.  They discussed a variety of online services that make it easy for you to earn some extra cash by renting out things that you own.  Things that could be rented out include :

• specific items (e.g. power drill, ladder or lawn mower)
• unused space (e.g. empty shed, garage or bedroom, that could be rented out for storage)
• a spare apartment or bedroom , which could be rented out for short term accommodation

Rent Out Spare Space

If you have spare, unused or wasted space in your home or business, you could turn it into cash, by renting it out for storage, parking or even business or commercial use – literally making money out of this Air.   SpaceOut allows people to advertise their spaces for rent  anywhere in Australia, and make it easy for people looking for space to find and contact you to arrange rental.   You can Create your Space for Rent Lisitng right now.

Rent Out Things

Services like Rentoid and OpenShed allow you to rent out specific items, such as mowers, ladders,surfboards – and pretty much anything else you can think of.  It’s a great way to make some money on things that you own but don’t use very much.  One thing to keep in mind though (as Karl said) what happens if they rent it and break it.  Make sure that you either take a deposit or have an agreement in place in case this happens.

Rent Out Accommodation

If you have a spare bedroom and don’t mind sharing your home with strangers (which could be interesting) you can use online services like AirBnB – a community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world

With the brunt of the NSW floods hitting Wagga Wagga today, hundreds of homes are already inundated with water, thousands of people have already been evacuated,  and if the Murrumbidgee river reaches expected levels today, hundreds more homes will be affected – resulting in displaced residents for days and probably weeks.

Whilst SES and emergency services do an excellent job at evacuation and helping people affected, one often overlooked problem is what happens to the hundreds of pets which are also impacted.

Evacuation centres are not usually able to cater for pets, so in many cases loved animals and pets just have to be left behind – which on top of everything else is a huge emotional burden for flood victims to bear. Even once the water levels drop, it can be weeks before home owners are able top return to there homes and start to return to normality.

Pet Carers are desperately needed to help look after displaced pets – for a few days or a few weeks whilst their owners get their lives back together.

If you live in or near flood affected areas of NSW, but are not directly affected, and can look after a displaced pet (or two), please create a HelpOut listing (for Free) to let flood victims know where you are and what types of pets you can care for.

There are many other simple and practical ways you may be able to help flood victims in the coming days and weeks… a simple home cooked meal, use of a washing machine or dryer, and even spreading the word that the HelpOut service is available can all go along way to ease the burden on those directly affected.

12 months on from the Queensland floods (one of Australia’s biggest natural disasters), families are starting to get there lives back in order and SpaceOut is very proud to say that we were able to help – in many small but significant ways.

One hugely positive outcome from the floods was the way so many people scrambled to lend a helping hand to those affected.   The QLD Premier’s appeal helped raise funds by accepting financial donations for distribution to the needy, and of course thousands chipped in with the massive cleanup effort, but there were  plenty of other, lower profile, but just as important ways that people could help. One quiet achiever during the QLD Flood crises, was  HelpOut – an online service designed specifically to put in touch those offering assistance with those who needed help.

How could SpaceOut Help ??

‘Following the Victorian Fires we wanted to use the technology of our space sharing site www.spaceout.com.au to design a way that average Aussies could assist flood, cyclone or fire victims in a non-financial way’ says Nathon Irvin, cofounder of HelpOut.   Through this online service, people are able to list the different ways they can offer help. Not everyone have money that they can donate, and many victims need kinds of help other than financial assistance.

HelpOut – Providing a Helping Hand

The HelpOut service works particularly well at a community level.  People within affected communities wanting to help, can offer donations, support or any other type of assistance, with the assurance that it will go directly to members of their own community

During the 2011 QLF Floods, people were using HelpOut to offer all kinds of practical help  – including offers as diverse as pet minding, the loan of a trailer, driving the kids to school, a hot meal for a family in need, manual labour to help shift or fix something, and even a place to stay during the cleanup. ‘We’ve been really touched by the response to the service, watching Australians opening up their hearts and their homes to people in need.’

On the other side of the equation, people needing help to rebuild after the disaster come to the HelpOut site and search on a map for offers of assistance in their own local area or community that most suit their specific needs. ‘At the end of the day, HelpOut brings our community closer together, and if we can make that happen, we reckon we’ve done a good job’ says Irvin. ‘

HelpOut sits idle (Yippee)

Fortunately, the HelpOut service currently sits idle, with no listings at all. There are no major disasters in Australia at the moment so the site sits waiting for the next time it is needed. The HelpOut Service is however set up,  ready to help, whenever a disaster strikes, and people are again in need of assistance.

The experience that we gained from the QLD floods ensures that we are ready to help many desperate people in the future.

HelpOut is a completely free service that anyone can use, particularly people in and around disaster areas who aren’t affected, and who have the capacity, however small, to offer assistance. HelpOut can be found via the SpaceOut website at: http://helpout.spaceout.com.au

Guest Post by Lisa Fox (Open Shed)

Time Magazine has called it one of the ten ideas that will change the world.

Social Innovator, Rachel Botsman says it will define the 21^st century.

“Collaborative Consumption” is very hot right now!

The term Collaborative Consumption refers to the age old behaviours of sharing, swapping, renting, bartering, which technology is now allowing to occur in other ways.

There are numerous reasons why we are starting to see a burgeoning Collaborative Consumption revolution.  Technology is providing the tools and there is a growing desire to disrupt outdated modes of doing business. From a consumer perspective, Collaborative Consumption is desirable because of the global economic situation, the renewed belief in the importance of community, and an increased awareness of the environmental pressures our planet is facing.

The Collaborative Consumption revolution is a worldwide movement, and while it may have been slow to gain traction in Australia (the Space Out guys were way ahead of the curve!), it is certainly is now taking hold as more and more businesses and initiatives pop up based on Collaborative Consumption principles. In October alone I am aware of three new Aussie businesses that launched:

1. MeeMeep (www.meemeep.com) connects people on the move to people with stuff to move. It’s a social network connected to a real world network. So if you’ve got stuff to move, you can save time and money. And if you’re on the move, you can earn a little extra money.

1. Locongo (www.locongo.com) is a community marketplace where people can buy & sell local experiences.  It creates opportunities for locals to rediscover their city, meet some amazing people and earn cash doing what they love.  And travellers can save time & money, venture off the beaten track and get to know the locals.

1. Open Shed (www.openshed.com.au) is a peer-to-peer rental site that I have developed with my partner Duncan Stewart. Our vision is to create a secure and reliable community marketplace that helps Australians live a more resourceful and sustainable life through the renting and sharing of their idle goods.

Think about all the things you have sitting in your shed – fishing rods, electrical goods, tools, camping and sports gear – how great it would be to rent them out to people around you. You make better use of what you already own and your neighbour has the option to rent, rather than buy.

I am in total agreement with Time Magazine and Rachel Botsman that Collaborative Consumption will change and define our future world. It is a powerful movement that empowers the individual and taps into our growing desires to be mindful and thrifty consumers; reduce our environmental footprint; and reconnect with the people around us. Let the era of collaborative consumption begin!

The recent announcements of paid parking at Westfield Shopping Centres in Brisbane has created lots of controversy over the last few months, but may end up being a bonus for local home and business owners.

Paid parking was introduced this week at Chermside Shopping Center – with plans to implement it at Westfield Carindale in March next year.

The new parking charges at Westfield Chermside have had an immediate impact – leaving empty car parks and resulting in clogged local streets, increased traffic congestion, and the need for a local services club to employ security guards to monitor their own car park.

Parking Fees $20 per day

The new charges, which apply to vehicles parked for 3 hours or more, are designed to encourage commuters and long term parkers to look at alternatives.  Parking fees can be as much as $20 for the day.

Shopping Center staff have been allocated special parking areas, but have complained of half hour waits to get in, and are concerned that they will be forced to pay up to $20 a day if they miss out on one of the staff parking spaces.

Local Residents Cash In

Aside from the extra disruption and congestion being faced by local residents, some may actually be presented with an opportunity to earn some extra income.  Some residents with a spare parking spot have already been approached by car owners offering to pay to park there.  Home or business owners with an extra parking space in the driveway, garage, or yard may find that they are in demand, and can rent out their unused parking space on a casual, weekly or even monthly basis – with the potential to earn as much as $15 a day or $300 a month.

An article in Brisbane’s biggest newspaper, the Courier Mail has highlighted what SpaceOut members have known for some time – that renting out a parking space can be a great little money earner.  The story – Demand for inner-city carparks creates property boom as unused bays become prime rentals, by Robyn Ironside states :

Students and ferry-riding professionals are renting out unneeded parking spots for up to $550 a month.

Money Out of Thin Air

Brisbane has long been a hot spot for SpaceOut members and ordinary Australians with unused space in their home or business are making good money by renting it out for storage, office use as well as parking – and are literally making money out of thin air.

In Brisbane (and many other Australian capital cities), demand for inner-city carpark in space has created a mini property boom as spare parking bays in city highrises and apartment blocks become prime rental spaces.

The average cost of renting a park in Brisbane now stands at $435 a month – or $43.50 a square metre – after growing 30 per cent a year since 2005.

One great advantage of renting your own parking space is that you get 24×7 access and can come and go as you please. Although more than $400 a month may seem light a lot to pay for parking, it is actually a bargain when compared to casual parking rates which are charged every time come or go.

Last year SpaceOut Highlighted in our City drive-in robbery – Brisbane carpark costs soar post that Brisbane drivers wishing to park in the city were  paying on average $45 a day (that’s over $200 a week), and the rates have continued to rise…. currently  Brisbane casual parking can cost up to $70 a day.

Collaborative Consumption

Renting out your unused parking space – or a spare bedroom for storage – or an unused corner or room at your workplace is a great example of the increasingly popular collaborative consumption movement, where people “share” resources.  For the space owner, it is a great way to earn some extra income, and for the space renter it is a great way to find a rental space that is cheap and convenient, and to save money on commercial rental rates.

SpaceOut provides a service which makes it easy for people with spare or unused space, to list and rent it out to those who need the space.

When SpaceOut was originally launched in 2009, we  were mainly offering a “private storage” solution to allow people looking for storage to find a private alternative to commercial storage facilities.  However, we quickly realised that there were plenty of different types of spaces (other than storage) that people were interested in renting – so we expanded SpaceOut to include Parking, Office, Commercial and Rural spaces as well.

Over the last year or so we have also seen an increasing trend with Commercial Operators (e.g. Storage facilities, Parking stations and Serviced Offices) creating listings on SpaceOut. We have encouraged these types of listings because we feel that it provides a greater range of options for our users, after all both private and commercial spaces each have pros and cons and are each suitable for different circumstances.

Because they have fairly different listing needs, we wanted to provide commercial operators with some extra features, so we have extended the SpaceOut listing types to provide some additional functionality for commercial operators..

As a part of the listing process, Commercial Operators can now choose a Commercial Operator Listing type.  These listings cost a bit more  but are for longer periods (currently $55 for three months).   Operators can also include a logo and up to 10 photos, and once the listing is activated, we will manually update the description and add a link back to their website.

As a part of the new Commercial Operator Listings, we encourage operators to include their contact information and details of the spaces and  services that they provide, as a part of the description and owner details for their listing.

If you’ve any queries about the new Commercial Operator Listing, or any comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact SpaceOut.

We are excited to announce, that as a result of customer feedback we have implemented some additional functionality to improve the SpaceOut service and make it better than ever.

Photos

Over the last few months, one of the most common requests we have received from our members, is to provide a photo feature – to allow them to include photos of the spaces they are offering for rent.

From today, new (and existing) subscription based Space for Rent listings will have the capability to include up to three photos.  When you create a New Listing, you will will be prompted to add photos as a part of the setup process.   Members with existing subscription listings can add or edit photos via the (Edit Photos) icon on the members home page.

Members with expired Space for rent listings, can either renew them, or create a new one, and will be given an opportunity to subscribe and add photos to these listings as well

A Picture tells a thousand words

Photos offer a great way to promote your listing and highlight its features and benefits.  You could also (if you wish) personalise your listing by including a photo of yourself, for many potential renters, this provides credibility an adds another level of trust.  Commercial operators can also include theor logo or a photo of theor premises (although we do have some extra features planned for commercial operators).

Currently you can include up to three photos for each Space for rent Listing, but we will be keeping an eye on how photos are being used, and may provide other options in the future.  So if you’ve got an opinion on the use of photos on SpaceOut, or any suggestions on how it could be improved, please let us know, we would love to hear it.

Report This Listing

We have also provided another feature which allows anyone to Report inapropriate Ads.  This could be a listing that is a blatant advertisement for a third party product or service, some content that is misleading or irrelevant, or an image which is not apropriate.  To Report a Listing, simply click on the  button which can be found on the bottom right of all listing details.  You can provide a brief description of the problem and (if you like) include your contact details.  we will investigate, and take apropriat action, and if you’ve left your details we will let you know the outcome.

We have a heap of other features and functionality planned over the coming months, so keep am eye on SpaceOut, and please let us know of any other features you would like us to offer, or any problems that you may experience woith the new photo or Reporting functionality.