Q: How do I apply for a garage?

You must complete the Garage Licence Agreement application and agree to the terms of the garage licence, providing:

• Full name, address and contact details
• Date of birth
• National Insurance Number
• Proof of ID and proof of address (passport/driving licence + utility bill)
• Confirmation of whether you are an MKCC council tenant or a private resident. This affects only the licence fee and VAT. A garage licence is entirely separate from, and does not form part of, any tenancy of your home.

Q: How much is the garage licence fee?

Weekly licence fee

• Council tenants: £13.67 per week.
• Private residents: £16.40 per week

Q: Is VAT charged on a garage licence fee?

• Council tenants (resident): No VAT on the first garage licence.
• VAT is charged on any additional garage licences.
• Private tenants: VAT is added to all garage licences.

Q: How long does a garage licence last?

A garage licence is a personal permission to use the garage on a weekly basis. It continues from week to week until either you or the Council ends it by notice.

Q: How much notice is required to end a licence?

Either you or the Council may end the licence at any time, and for any reason, by giving at least 7 days’ written notice. 
Notice must always end on a Sunday.

Q: How is the licence fee paid?

• The licence fee is paid weekly in advance, due every Monday.
• If the licence fee is not paid on time, the Council may end the licence (see below).

Q: Can I have a joint licence?

No. Each licence is granted to one named individual only.

Q: Can I transfer or sublet my garage licence?

No. A garage licence is a personal permission for the named licensee only and cannot be transferred. You must not allow anyone else to use the garage. If you do, the Council may end the licence.

Q: Can the Council enter the garage?

Yes. The Council keeps its own key to every garage and may enter the garage at any time using that key.

Q: Can the Council ask me to move to a different garage?

Yes. The Council may require you to move to an alternative garage in its absolute discretion, as set out in the licence agreement.

Q: What can I store in the garage?

Permitted:

• A vehicle
• Household items

Not permitted:

• Any living creatures
• Perishable and non-perishable food items either residential and/or commercial
• Commercial/business use
• Changing appearance, signage, workshops, trading
• The storing and use of hazardous or flammable items other than fuel inside a vehicle e.g. welding, spray painting activities etc.
• Gas cylinders, corrosive materials, loose fuel, volatile substances

Q. Can I make alterations to the garage?

No, we ask that you make no alterations to the garage. A list of what you are NOT allowed to do is shown below, this list is not exhaustive so please contact us if you are unsure about anything.

• Structural alterations including.
  • the installation of any fixture/fitting to internal or external walls, roof trusses or roof tiles, regardless of weight as this might affect or overload the structure.
  • creation of new opening in the brickwork into adjacent land or property
  • removal or replacement of roof trusses or roof tiles
  • modification of the foundation slab (raising/lowering)
• Electrical modifications including.
  • Addition of new sockets/lighting (even if done by a professional)
  • Running extension cables through and/or over the walls/roof from an external source
  • Addition of EV charging points, heaters of any type, or any heavy electrical equipment.
• Plumbing or drainage works
• Addition of supply for gas appliances including access through and/or over the walls/roof
• Replacement of garage door, or addition of new locks, bolts or padlocks to garage doors (if you have security, concerns please contact the team)
• Conversion of the space into a liveable space or anything that would require Building Control approval.

Q: Is the garage insured?

No. The Council does not insure items stored in garages, and you should arrange your own contents insurance. 

Q: What if I lose my garage keys?

You must:

• Notify MKCC, police and your insurer
• Pay for full lock replacement, including administration fees
  (MKCC may arrange the work or approve you to do it.)

Q: What happens at the end of the licence?

You must:

• Complete a garage return form, then;
• Return all keys issued to you in person to the Council at Civic, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ.
• Remove all items and rubbish
• Return the garage in clean and good condition
  You will be charged the reasonable cost of any clearance, and of repairing any damage caused by you or by your use of the garage.

Q: What repairs do MKCC carry out?

• Structural repairs
• Exterior maintenance
• If MKCC decides that repairs are uneconomical, it may end the licence by giving 7 days’ written notice

Q: Are garages affected by damp or mould?

Yes. Due to age and lack of insulation, damp is common.
Please do not store items that may be damaged by damp. MKCC is not responsible for damp or condensation damage to stored items.

Q: What if asbestos is found?

• Stop using the garage
• Notify MKCC immediately
• MKCC may suspend or end the licence and secure the garage. Where professional advice confirms that items are contaminated and must be disposed of safely, MKCC will dispose of the items as contaminated.

Q: When might the Council end a licence?

The Council may end a licence for any reason by giving at least 7 days’ written notice. Examples of situations in which it may do so include:

• Non-payment of licence fee
• No response from the licensee to Council correspondence
• Safeguarding and demolition blocks
• Use of the garage by anyone other than the licensee, or any attempt to transfer the licence
• Health and safety risks (asbestos, structural failure)

Q: Who delivers notices?

Notices are given to the licensee in writing as set out in the licence agreement, and may also be placed on the garage. Operational staff record:

• Date served
• End date
• Lock change/keys collected
• End of licence and return of the garage

Q: When does a licence end?

A licence ends when a written notice of at least 7 days given by either party expires. The Council may give notice for any reason, including (for example):

• When repairs are uneconomical
• Asbestos contamination
• Damp issues that cannot be resolved
• Use of the garage by anyone other than the licensee
• Safety concerns or structural instability