People are only just realising that they could make almost £10,000 a year by renting their driveway

HOMEOWNERS have been left stunned after realising they could make almost £10,000 a year by renting their driveway.

Thousands of Britons are travelling abroad to spend their holidays, but airport parking has become another headache for drivers due to its increasing cost.

But motorists can save hundreds of pounds if they park their car in someone’s else driveway – with homeowners making a second income from a spare space.

According to the car operator YourParkingSpace, drivers who live close to some of the UK’s busiest airports made nearly half a million pounds last year.

Homeowners who rented their driveway near airports in Greater London, including Heathrow Gatwick and London City, brought over £293,000.

Nearly half of that income was brought in during the busy June to September months, with a combined total of £115,005 earned by parking space owners in London during that period. 

And those who rented out their spaces in the East of England, which included Luton and Stansted airports, earned almost £80,000 or £3,015 per space.

Manchester, which created £31,870 of income for homeowners who rented out their driveways, ranked third among the top earners. 

Those living near Bristol, Gloucestershire and Cornwall airports combined for a total revenue of £25,722.

Brannan Coady, CEO of YourParkingSpace, which looked at the revenue figures for people who live within two miles of 12 of the UK’s main airports, said: “Last year, we saw more Brits looking to get abroad following successive years of lengthy and serious travel disruptions.  

“At the same time, we saw prices starting to rise across many on-site airport car parking sites, and this was when more holiday-goers started to shop around and realise there were savings out there. 

“By being able to offer cheaper alternatives, space owners are able to offer competitive rates to those out there who are seeking a deal, but also make some extra money themselves at the same time.” 

This comes after an airport parking firm that guarantees safe and secure bays was actually dumping cars on roadsides.

Plus, a holidaymaker was fuming after an airport parking firm left his car damaged and filthy.