Haringey Council has officially adopted a new Garage Allocations Policy, aiming to modernise and enhance the management of its housing services. The decision was made at a Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Monday, January 19, 2026, by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and Deputy Leader of the Council. The policy is set to come into effect in 2025.
The new Garage Allocations Policy provides clear guidelines for how the council manages garage applications and allocations. Its objectives include maximising garage usage, preventing disrepair and misuse, and ensuring fair and transparent allocation processes to optimise rental income. The policy aims to Manage its garage stock effectively by maximising the number of garages in use and preventing garages from falling into disrepair or being misused.
To achieve this, the council may request to inspect garages with reasonable notice to check for defects, health, safety, and maintenance requirements. Furthermore, renters are responsible for keeping the garage's fixtures and fittings in good repair and condition, and must notify the council immediately of any defects.
The policy outlines a priority system for allocating garages, with specific criteria determining precedence within each category. Priority 1 is given to any current Haringey Council garage licensee required to move due to disrepair, demolition, disposal, or regeneration. This is followed by Priority 2, which favours Haringey Council tenants or leaseholders living on the estate where the garage has become available. Priority 3 is for other Haringey Council tenants or leaseholders not living on the relevant estate, and Priority 4 is for non-council residents or businesses.
To ensure fairness and transparency, the council aims to Operate a garage letting system that is easy to understand and transparent.
When multiple applicants on the waiting list express interest in an available garage, allocations will be prioritised based on the length of time an applicant has been on the waiting list, on a first-come, first-served basis. The highest-ranking applicant will be contacted and offered the garage, with an immediate acceptance required to secure it; otherwise, the offer will be extended to the next person on the waiting list.
The adoption of this policy is intended to ensure the council meets the Social Housing Regulator's consumer standards. Specifically, it addresses the Tenancy Standard and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard. The policy also supports the Council's aim to meet the Safety and Quality Standard by taking reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and associated communal areas.
This policy was developed with input from council officers and engaged tenants and leaseholders through the Resident Voice Board (RVB), which reviewed and approved the draft in January 2025. The policy aligns with the Council's Housing Strategy 2024 – 2029 and Housing Improvement Plan 2023. The policy aims to Ensure garages are allocated fairly and efficiently to maximise rental income.
Conditions for renting a garage include adherence to the licence agreement and the tenant's responsibility for insuring their own possessions. A zero-tolerance approach to rent arrears has been established, with non-payment leading to licence termination and repossession.
More information can be found in the Cabinet Report - Adopting a new Garage Allocations Policy and Appendix 1 - Garage Allocations policy.