Wimbledon locals reel in up to £10k in just two weeks by renting out their homes and parking spaces

People living in Wimbledon have been able to pocket up to £10,000 in just two short weeks by renting out their driveways, and even their homes to keen tennis fans from around the globe.

Locals living close to the All England Lawn Tennis Club could be forgiven for feeling frustrated when they’re surrounded by thousands of sporting fanatics for a fortnight every year.

While standstill traffic, droves of cars and clogged pavements that accompany the world-famous tournament can be a pain, some savvy residents have used it as an opportunity to cash in.

On some neighbouring roads, which have have strict signs banning any type of parking, certain homeowners allow vehicles to stay on their drive for a fee. 

Daily parking charges range from £25 to a whopping £150, with some residents squeezing in as many as four cars at once.

Meanwhile, those who rent out their homes – either to tennis players or media companies – say they can make as much as £10,000 in only two weeks.

Some donate their profits to charity, but other residents have confessed to using the profits to renovate their own home. 

Keith Simspon said he and his wife previously rented their home out during the world-renowned tournament, adding that he preferred to rent to media than players.

Oscar Buck, 14, (pictured with his father Adam) who also rents out his family’s parking spaces to Wimbledon attendees, donates half of his proceeds to charity

Several cars parked outside homes of residents who live near the Wimbledon Tennis Courts

A sign which read ‘Road ahead closed permit holders only’ on a road near the Wimbledon Tennis courts

‘We did it for between 15 and 20 years – and it can be very lucrative. When we last did it I think we made around £10,000,’ he said. 

‘Over the years we’ve put the money towards refurbishments and other house expenses so that’s been useful.

‘From our experience it’s definitely better to let to media than to players.’

The 70-year-old revealed on both occasions he rented his home out to players there were ‘issues’, adding: ‘We had damage to the property and lots of cleaning needed.

‘Honestly, on one occasion, we had a very senior player staying here – who I won’t name – who just left the kitchen in such disgusting state you wouldn’t believe it.’

And while he said it was ‘a lot better’ when he rented out his property to media, he said the process became ‘too stressful’ and decided to stop.  

‘We haven’t done it since before the pandemic. It’s just too stressful. We’re older now and I’ve since retired,’ he said. 

‘But we did do it for a long time. You just have to remember to declare your earnings so you can sleep at night.’

Wimbledon locals pocket up to £10,000 in just two short weeks by renting out their driveways, and even their homes to keen tennis fans from around the globe

Farida Bennett, 76, who donates her proceeds from Wimbledon parking to charity

A sign displaying instructions to customers parking on a Wimbledon residents drive

Fellow local, Deborah Howe, 65, has rented her home out to the same people for several years, quipping that they have become ‘like family’. 

‘I’ve been doing this for nearly 20 years. I’ve had lots of coaches stay here and they’re always wonderful people,’ she said. 

‘They really do become like family. They arrive and it’s all hugs and gifts.. I stay in touch with all of them. They often give me ground passes too so that’s always fun.’

Ms Howe wouldn’t share how much she charged – but said this year the profits are going towards paying off her recent knee and hip surgery.

For the past two years she has also been renting out parking spaces in her drive, sometimes to four cars at a time, thanks to a suggestion from her neighbour.

‘I do it all online through an app,’ Ms Howe said. ‘I had never done it but my neighbour does and she said I should, as I have more space.

Perhaps the youngest entrepreneur in the area is 14-year-old Oscar Buck, who also rents out his family’s parking spaces to Wimbledon attendees.

He first started the process when he was 11, by sitting outside his house with a sign, but now also arranges it all online, giving half of his earning to charity.

His dad Adam Buck said: ‘We can fit up to four cars in here and the cost is £50 – but the company takes 30 per cent so he gets £35. 

Daily parking charges range from £25 to a whopping £150, with some residents squeezing in as many as four cars at once

Meanwhile, those who rent out their homes – either to tennis players or media companies – say they can make as much as £10,000 in only two weeks

‘I know some people in the area charge as much as £150 though.’

The 48-year-old revealed that his son earns twice as much as his sister who is working at the event its self. 

‘It’s nice as he goes out to greet everyone,’ the dad said. ‘He keeps about half – and gives the rest to charity. Usually it goes to Alzheimer’s Society.’

Farida Bennett, 76, also donates her proceeds to charity – and over the years has raised thousands for UNICEF.

‘I’ve been booked every day of the tournament. All the money I raise goes to UNICEF to help poorer children,’ she said

‘I started in 2002 and in 2009 they sent me a letter saying I had donated £5,000. It’s a lot more than that by now. 

‘I charge £30 but I know a lot of my neighbours charge around £100.’

Simon Blenkiron, 49, is also using the high-demand for car parking spaces to raise funds for charity. 

‘We’re hoping to raise around £500 over the fortnight – but we’re not sure which charity it’s going to just yet,’ he said. 

Another woman, who did not want to be named, said she had been renting out parking spaces for decades, always donating her profits to charity.

But this year she has gone for a change of pace, donating the funds to a specific university student who she has been sponsoring. 

Some residents have been warring with traffic wardens, who have hit their customer with a ticket

‘I’d say the majority of people around here have been doing it for a long time,’ she said.

‘At the moment I’m sponsoring a university student and the money is going towards their research.’

But not all locals with ‘parking signs’ outside their homes were less keen to share how much they charged or earned.

Some houses had as many as six spaces in their drives – which means they could earn over £2,500 even if they were only charging the more moderate prices.

Many residents had well-oiled schemes, organising everything online and then leaving clear signs outside their doors for customers.

One mum and son using a parking space said the local had sent them a permit – and they used that to enter the roads which were closed for resident access only.

Meanwhile, other residents appeared to be at war with parking wardens as one had left several notes on his customers’ cars.

They argued that they had permits to park there and should not be given a ticket.

‘Traffic Warden, this VW has a permit issued by Merton Council to park here – my house – for the Wimbledon Championship,’ one read.

‘DO NOT TICKET. If you do, you will be personally liable for court costs.’