The sharing economy in lockers: launch a community lending library or rental service

Why sharing works now

Smaller homes, rising living costs and interest in reducing waste mean many residents would rather borrow or rent occasional-use items than buy and store them. Libraries of things, tool libraries and repair cafés have shown demand for years; lockers remove the need for staffed opening hours.

A locker lets someone browse in an app or on a kiosk, pay or confirm membership, unlock a door, and return the item later — at any hour. Every open and close is logged, so you know who had what and when.

An example in the market: TULU

TULU is an independent company that places smart rental units inside apartment buildings, student housing, offices and hotels. Residents use an app to unlock items such as vacuums, tools, air mattresses, gaming systems and VR headsets, and the company also offers in-building essentials, printing and e-scooters. TULU says it operates in 65+ cities and 500+ buildings, which shows that property owners value product access as an amenity.

TULU is not a LockerLauncher partner or customer, and we mention it only as a public example of the model. The difference with LockerLauncher is ownership: instead of a provider running the amenity in someone else's name, you run your own local sharing business, choose your own items and pricing, and keep your own brand.

Choose your model

What to stock first

Start with items people need occasionally and would rather not store: vacuum and carpet cleaners, steam mops, drills and tool kits, step ladders, sewing machines, air mattresses, projectors, party and camping kit, and children's equipment. Check which items residents actually ask for before buying.

Plan for cleaning, charging, consumables, inspections and repairs between uses, and check product safety, electrical testing and insurance rules where you operate.

How LockerLauncher helps

The back office lets you set item categories, rental periods, prices, deposits and late fees, membership rules and return reminders, with notifications and full access logs. Customers can use your own branded website or app, or a self-serve kiosk on the locker bank. Lockers can be sourced from us, from other suppliers, or retrofitted.

Launch a pilot

Agree a location with one building or community partner, stock a small range, set simple pricing, and track which items are used. Add or swap items based on demand, then offer the service to the next building.

Common questions

Can I charge for items in a lending library?

Yes. You can run free borrowing, a membership fee, pay-per-use rental with deposits, or a combination, with card payments through a connected Stripe account.

Is TULU connected to LockerLauncher?

No. TULU is an independent company mentioned only as a public example of in-building rental. LockerLauncher lets you run your own branded service.

What happens if an item is not returned or is damaged?

You can set deposits, late fees and return reminders, and the access log records who opened each door and when. Agree clear terms and insurance before launch.