Private parking "fines" - anyone out there collecting them?

anewman

Ok so it seems widely accepted that "fines" from private companies are not legally enforceable, and the best way to deal with them is to ignore them - let them pay the DVLA for your details and send some threatening letters.

But I was wondering if there was anyone out there who regularly parked against the terms and conditions displayed on a sign, and gets lots of letters through their letterbox, as they know little can be done and the case will probably never go to court?

A private poll is included if you don't want to boast with your username

sarahg1969

I have, twice. Received a couple of letters each from Parking Eye and Excel. Both now seem to have gone away. Did intend to bait them, but never got round to it! My dad's in the process of corresponding with Excel on one he got.

taxiphil

I've done a bit of baiting (only by overstaying by 10 minutes or so, when there are plenty of empty spaces available, so as not to cause any actual loss of business to anyone, I must point out) and have taken pleasure in watching these scam artists wasting their postage and DVLA fee.

3 companies concerned, each has sent between 4-7 letters, none has sued (surprise surprise!).

pogofish

Nope, I'd rather not court confrontation with the jokers who sometimes operate in private car parks and prefer that my personal information was not in their hands in the first place.

Crabman

Just thinking aloud but if someone did repeatedly park somewhere they weren't entitled to, what's to stop the PPC or landowner applying for an injunction as opposed to trying to enforce their silly charges?

If a raft of letters came through with all the dates and times listed, it would surely serve as evidence that the car was being left there regularly, and therefore support the injunction application? If someone continued to park despite the injunction I suppose there would be penalties as it would be breach of a court order (though I'm not sure about this).

I'd also be worried about the risk of clamp/tow by the PPC. It's always preferable to avoid confrontation if possible.

pogofish

Crabman wrote: »

If a raft of letters came through with all the dates and times listed, it would surely serve as evidence that the car was being left there regularly,

Look at the number of times people turn-up here with quite preposterous tickets - That would surely suggest the PPC's "evidence" gathering is a bit naff at best?

Never mind that they never seem to be able to identify anyone beyond the registered keeper, which suggests they are leaving the DVLA to do the real work.

The PPCs also seem to be quite prepared to harrass people with a wide variety of inaccurate, misleading and intimmidating letters. What sort of evidence is this?

Crabman

pogofish wrote: »

Look at the number of times people turn-up here with quite preposterous tickets - That would surely suggest the PPC's "evidence" gathering is a bit naff at best?

I completely agree, however, in terms of gathering supporting evidence to support a possible injunction order against what is effectively prolonged trespass on private land, I have a feeling it may stand up, but I'm happy to be corrected if this isn't the case (as I said this is just thinking aloud). It's also doubtful whether the average PPC would think of this or even notice.

pogofish wrote: »

Never mind that they never seem to be able to identify anyone beyond the registered keeper, which suggests they are leaving the DVLA to do the real work.

The PPCs also seem to be quite prepared to harrass people with a wide variety of inaccurate, misleading and intimmidating letters. What sort of evidence is this?

I agree their 'evidence' is complete nonsense in terms of 'fining' people and I and others on this board advise peeps to ignore the rubbish they're sent, but I was talking about an injunction order which is completely different. It would be interesting to get a legal perspective on whether an injunction for trespassing with a vehicle is actually possible.

Bigalagain

UKPC and their various "debt collectors" have sent me approx 8 threatening letters which I just bin. Funny thing is the original amount they were demanding was £75 rising to £95 if not paid within 14 days, yet these cowboys are demanding £140! Do they just think of a number?

Obviously not going to pay.

Crabman

Bigalagain wrote: »

UKPC and their various "debt collectors" have sent me approx 8 threatening letters which I just bin. Funny thing is the original amount they were demanding was £75 rising to £95 if not paid within 14 days, yet these cowboys are demanding £140! Do they just think of a number?

Obviously not going to pay.

I suggest you report them to Trading Standards (and the police if they've broken the law as per this post):

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=20510805#post20510805

Bigalagain

I suggest you report them to Trading Standards (and the police if they've broken the law as per this post):

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...5#post20510805I suggest you report them to Trading Standards (and the police if they've broken the law as per this post):

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...5#post20510805


Unfortunately I've binned most of the paperwork they've sent under their different 'guises'. I'm just happy that by following the (FREE!!) advice on this forum I've pretty much seen UKPC off and very recently beaten Barking and Dagenham Council (they bottled at PATAS Tribunal stage) - some great work done there for me by Neil B and Bogs!