So yesterday I got issued with a parking ticket on a supposed "car park" where a permit was required in order to park. This was almost at midnight yesterday when the place was completely deserted and the signage was virtually non existent. After arguing with the bloke who was standing there (part of some private company who refused to show me ID also) I noticed the signs stating a charge of £100 was payable if parked there without a permit -reduced to £60 in 14 days, hanging off one of the side walls supported by a massive block of concrete which I had not noticed as it was not visible with lighting or in a proper position.
Now my qualm with this is that I was there for about 20 minutes if that and am quite pīssed at having to shell out money for a parking charge that I feel is completely unreasonable especially as it was midnight and the place was empty so it wasn't as if I was blocking anyone. Not to mention it was a bank holiday yesterday and plus I would never have parked there had I been aware.
It's also a private parking charge not a fine so I could technically choose to ignore it but I know these private companies will obtain my details from DVLA and probably threaten court action and or bailiffs.
Now I am thinking about disputing it via email (not appealing I believe as this is a private charge and "appealing" would mean me admitting liability which I am not willing to do). I do have pictures of the poor signage and will probably send this off in a harshly worded email and hope the company wilts and reverses it.
Anyone else been in this position before and if so have you had it overturned when disputed? Absolutely ridiculous how these private companies leech people out of money in this way especially when its not even a paid car park or I've overstayed etc.
Calling all armchair lawyers
posted on 27/3/16
comment by Kav H (U19426)
posted 2 minutes ago
Thanks for that info M. The only other thing I am aware of is that if a company is a member of BPA, which I believe this company is, they can legally obtain my details from DVLA. As I am not the keeper of the car, is it worth letting the company keeper know to ignore any letters on my behalf?
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K, the company I work for pay fines then send an invoice with an admin fee
posted on 27/3/16
Yes same for mine although they do not charge an admin fee. I don't want them to accidentally turn around and pay this charge if they do get a letter
posted on 27/3/16
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posted on 27/3/16
comment by a foxes voice (U1133)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Kav H (U19426)
posted 2 minutes ago
Thanks for that info M. The only other thing I am aware of is that if a company is a member of BPA, which I believe this company is, they can legally obtain my details from DVLA. As I am not the keeper of the car, is it worth letting the company keeper know to ignore any letters on my behalf?
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K, the company I work for pay fines then send an invoice with an admin fee
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Yes, make sure the registered keeper does not send any confirmation letters back to the fines company.
The fine can only legally go to the registered keeper/owner. This has caused problems for company car drivers in the past; a fine turns up and the registered keeper pays it on behalf of the person who uses the vehicle, and then takes the money from them.
Once the fine has been paid, then liability has been admitted. Just explain to the keeper what is happening and ask them to forward any communications/letters on to you.
M
posted on 27/3/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 27/3/16
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posted on 27/3/16
Comment Deleted by Article Creator
posted on 10/5/16
Morning all,
Thought I would update as to what has happened regarding this charge.
So I appealed to the operator internally first with attached evidence of the non-existent signage in a harshly worded email. This was as expected rejected with them even having the cheek to tell me in the reply to the appeal that “signage is clearly displayed all over our site”. I then lodged a further appeal with the IAS (who this operator is a member of) within 21 days. If done within 21 days, you can use the IAS’s services free of charge and the decision of the appeal is binding on the operator but not yourself. If not done within 21 days you do have to pay £15 and the decision is binding on you – however I digress as that doesn’t apply to me. So I inputted my details and registered an intent to appeal to which the operator has 5 working days in order to reply and submit their “evidence” and tell the IAS why this charge was issued. Once done you then have 10 working days to input any evidence of your own so then the adjudicator can decide whether or not the charge is enforceable.
However this operator did not even bother to input any evidence meaning they conceded defeat. I then received an email stating this charge is now not being pursued by them. Just goes to show, if you know and understand the law well and are willing to fight for something that is right you are likely to succeed. They didn’t even bother arguing with it in the end.
posted on 13/5/16
Missed this the other day- nice one Kav, always nice to give the metaphorical middle finger at those s
posted on 14/5/16
Cheers Neo, very true