Things You Can Rent Out for Extra Cash (Without Starting a Side Hustle)

Backyard

Backyard, Tools and Equipment, Musical Instruments, Sports Equipment, Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment, Home Gym Equipment

A decent-sized backyard can bring in extra income in ways you might not have considered. People rent spaces for pop-up events, weddings, even glamping experiences. Some are looking for a private area to set up a garden, raise chickens, or just relax away from the city.

If you’ve got space, there’s someone willing to pay for it. Listing your backyard as a rentable spot gives you flexibility, you set the rules and decide how often it’s available. It’s an easy way to make money without lifting a finger.

Tools and Equipment

Backyard, Tools and Equipment, Musical Instruments, Sports Equipment, Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment, Home Gym Equipment

Expensive tools sit idle most of the year, but plenty of people need them for a quick job or weekend project. DIYers, landscapers, and small business owners are always on the lookout for affordable rentals.

Instead of letting your power tools, ladders, or pressure washers collect dust, list them on a rental site. You can charge by the day or hour, keeping things flexible and profitable. With the right setup, you can make back what you spent on the tools in no time.

Your toolbox might be worth more than you think.

Musical Instruments

Backyard, Tools and Equipment, Musical Instruments, Sports Equipment, Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment, Home Gym Equipment

That guitar collecting dust in the corner? It could be making money instead of sitting untouched. Students, gig musicians, and hobbyists often need instruments for short-term use, but buying isn’t always an option.

If you own a keyboard, drum set, or even a violin, listing it for rent could bring in steady income. Music schools and theater productions also rent equipment for rehearsals. Instead of letting your instrument sit unused, let someone else make music while you make money.

Sports Equipment

Backyard, Tools and Equipment, Musical Instruments, Sports Equipment, Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment, Home Gym Equipment

Skis, snowboards, kayaks, and bikes cost a lot upfront, and many people don’t want to commit to owning them. Travelers, weekend warriors, and occasional adventurers prefer to rent instead.

If you have well-maintained gear, you could be making money during peak seasons with little effort. Rental platforms connect you with people looking for equipment, and you set the availability.

Instead of letting your sports gear sit idle between trips, put it to work and turn it into a steady source of extra cash.

Drones

Backyard, Tools and Equipment, Musical Instruments, Sports Equipment, Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment, Home Gym Equipment

A high-quality drone isn’t cheap, which is why so many photographers, videographers, and surveyors prefer to rent. Real estate agents, wedding videographers, and filmmakers need aerial shots but don’t always own the equipment.

If you’ve got a drone with a solid camera, listing it for rent could bring in serious money. Just make sure renters are experienced, and insurance is in place. Instead of letting a drone sit in its case most of the year, putting it to work could bring in cash with minimal effort.

Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment

Backyard, Tools and Equipment, Musical Instruments, Sports Equipment, Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment, Home Gym Equipment

New gaming systems and virtual reality setups cost a lot, and not everyone wants to shell out hundreds just to try them. Renting them out for parties, events, or weekend gaming marathons could turn them into an easy side income.

Parents looking for short-term entertainment, streamers testing new content, and casual gamers wanting to experience VR without buying their own setup are all potential customers. A few rentals a month could cover the cost of new games, accessories, or even a console upgrade.

Home Gym Equipment

Backyard, Tools and Equipment, Musical Instruments, Sports Equipment, Gaming Consoles and VR Equipment, Home Gym Equipment

Workout gear isn’t cheap, and not everyone has space to own it. If you’ve got a treadmill, rowing machine, or even dumbbells collecting dust, there’s someone out there who’d pay to use it.

List it for local rentals or offer access to neighbors looking for a no-membership gym option. You save space, they save cash, and everyone wins. It’s fitness gear that pays you back.