We caught up with Lydia Rivlin, an ex-BBC comedy scriptwriter who’s also published a novel. Her passion is riding horses, particularly the nearly lost art of sidesaddle riding. Lydia opted to do something that’s becoming increasingly popular, purchasing a garage specifically as an investment. Here’s our interview with her:

How did you first hear about the concept of renting out a parking space?

In the 90s when I was working for the BBC I approached a church near my local underground station and asked if I could pay for use of their car park on the days when I went in to town. This meant that when I came home, sometimes quite late at night, I could go straight to my car, and did not have to hang around waiting for a bus from the station to my house.

When, some months ago, an acquaintance told me about going on holiday and using the services of an agency which organised parking in the drive of a house near the airport, I thought that made good sense. The concept did not strike me as being at all outlandish.

Why did you decide to rent out your garage?

I am renting out a garage which I bought deliberately as an investment. I reckoned a garage made better financial sense than having my money sitting around in a bank, not doing very much. When I met the tenant, though, I felt very pleased that I was in a position to offer her such a utility. She really needed it so I see this arrangement as a benefit to both of us.

Did you initially have any concerns?

I was concerned about the possibility of the renter ‘squatting’ in my garage, but then I learned that such behaviour did not have the same legal protection as is given to rented accommodation.

What do you spend your rental earnings on?

The garage was bought for the benefit of my children. The rent goes to them, so will the garage — eventually.

If you owned a driveway rather than a garage would you still rent it out?

I do not have a driveway to rent out, since I do not now regularly go out to work. However if I were out all day I would not only be happy to rent out my driveway, I would be positively enthusiastic about it. Not only would it bring in a little money but it would also make the house appear occupied when it was not.

What would you say to someone who's considering renting out their space via YourParkingSpace?

I have never had any trouble with either this company or the tenant they found for me.

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