Car owners can now make money by renting their vehicles when they’re not being used, using a new car rental scheme. The ‘easyCar Club’ venture lets drivers advertise their cars and matches them with people looking to rent a car for a short period.

Although the service is now available nationwide, it was initially trialled in London – meaning many of the cars advertised are concentrated on the London area.

Currently there are cars advertised for as little as £23 a day, making it a viable alternative to conventional car hire.

For a 10% cut of the rental fees (which are set by the car’s owners), easyCar Club provides comprehensive insurance with protected no claims discount, and free RAC roadside assistance.

There are restrictions on the kind of car that can be rented through the website. It must be 10 years old or less, with no more than 120,000 on the clock. It must be in an insurance group between 1 and 32, and have a replacement value of £25,000 or less.

Both car owners and hirers are encouraged to leave feedback on the rental, and anyone who breaks rules (such as returning a car without petrol) can be fined, with compensation going to the party that has lost out.