New Generation Parking Charge in Apartment Complex

Leggsy

Hi all,

A notice was placed on my car when it was parked in my apartment complex. The parking charge was received from New Generation Parking for 'not parking in a marked bay'. The charge is £75 or £50 if paid within 7 days. The charge increases to £125 if not paid within 14 days and £150 if not paid within 28 days - Reasonable don't you think?!!

I am very tempted to completely ignore it as advised. There is also an option to write to them and advise them I will not be paying.

There are a couple of problems with both of these options - on the parking charge it is stated that the company will tow the car and potentially immobilise it if the charge is not paid.

Naturally I don't wish for this outcome as it will result in paying in order to release the car.

Obviously the car will continue to be parked in the carpark and it therefore feels vulnerable to some more nasty action.

Does anyone have experience of this company or of receiving a charge in an apartment complex and having such action threatened?

Many thanks to everyone on this forum for their input

Leggsy

I would add that there is no charge generally for parking in this car park and the car was not obstructing any other cars when parked.

Trebor16

They have no power to tow your car if you lawfully dispute their unenforceable invoice. I would contact the management company who provide services at the apartment block as a matter of urgency and advise them that should your car be towed away, especially as it is presumably parked in your own allocated space, that you will take action against them.

Coupon-mad

Are there clamping warning signs, along with a stated monetary fee for clamp release, on clear notices at the apartment block? Or just vague ones going on about Parking charge Notices?

If no signs stating a clamp release fee then they cannot do so.

Inflatable_Armadillo

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Are there clamping warning signs, along with a stated monetary fee for clamp release, on clear notices at the apartment block? Or just vague ones going on about Parking charge Notices?

If no signs stating a clamp release fee then they cannot do so.

As per Coupon-mad's excellent advice, check the signs and post on here if you need a second opinion. They sign must have a release fee and if not they are not supposed to clamp you! However, that does not mean that they won't. It is also illegal to clamp or tow your car for a disputed debt.

You should ignore New Gen, do not contact them.

If you are worried about them clamping your car then write to management company, as per Trebor16 advice, telling them that you are not going to be paying the unenforceable speculative invoice from New Gen and that if New Gen clamp or tow you car this would not only be illegal but they would be jointly liable for New Gens actions and you would take them and New Gen to court.

Also, what does your lease say about parking?

Trebor16

Regarding the written warning of towing the car if you don't pay, it might be worth taking this to trading standards and see what they have to say about it.

Leggsy

Thanks all for your really helpful comments. I really appreciate it. Don't think there's any mention of clamp release on the parking notice. Also need to check my lease re: parking. Will update you when I've checked. Thanks again

Leggsy

Hi all

The parking notices have an 'immobilisation fee' written in small writing on them.

In the mean time somebody else driving my car received another charge notice which will unfortunately perhaps increase the awareness of my car. I have written a letter stating I was not the driver (From the MSE template) and will be sending it tomorrow.

I am in the process of contacting trading standards in relation to the 'threat' to tow or clamp the car.

Treb 16 says:

They have no power to tow your car if you lawfully dispute their unenforceable invoice.


Following the advice on here I have not contacted the company at all. Therefore I am not disputing the invoice but acutally ignoring it. Where does this leave me?

Thanks again for your feedback

TrickyWicky

IF I were you I'd go and buy yourself a set of 4 wheel clamps just in case they try it. Can't clamp or tow a car thats already clamped

The_Slithy_Tove

Leggsy wrote: »

In the mean time ...

In the meantime, did you contact the management company, as advised?

Oopsadaisy

TrickyWicky wrote: »

IF I were you I'd go and buy yourself a set of 4 wheel clamps just in case they try it. Can't clamp or tow a car thats already clamped

Yes...best to spend 30 mins every time you leave/arrive home.