UK Parking Patrol Ticket - On a hire car

mrbez

Hi Guys,

I hired a car last week, and on the first night I parked on a side street in Manchester across from Deansgate locks.

There are three side streets, all with no yellow lines. However, when I got back to the car, I had a ticket from the UK Parking Patrol Office for being parked in a permit holder space only. £60 in the first 14 days, rising to £90 after.

I looked around and I saw a few notices high up on the buildings surrounding the side street. However, that is all.

Am I correct in thinking that I should just ignore this?

But where does it leave me with the hire car company?

Thanks in advance.

teffers

Hi mrbez,

It's a private invoice. They will send it to the car company who will then forward it onto whoever hired the car at that time (you).
You can then deal with it how you see fit, there's some good advice on here and elsewhere on the web ;-)

But you don't need to pay it if you feel you never entered into a contract with them (parking your car there isn't enough to form a contract).

Just remember this is a simple invoice, not a fine, ticket, summons etc etc.

mrbez

Hi, thanks for the reply.

So I am okay to ignore this?

I was just worried about not paying and it affecting my credit at all?

Should I inform the hire company that I intend not to pay it as I am not obliged to? With it not being the council etc?

Many Thanks.

AltheHibby

Others with more experience will confirm, but my advice is to let them know that it is an invoice, not a fine and that they must not pay it. Point them to these forums.

angel_islington

You would be wise to write to the hire company to inform them you've received this notice. Their T&C's will say you are liable for any 'fine' that you incur whilst the car is in your possession. We know, of course, that it is not a fine and is legally unenforceable however a lot of hire companies don't realise this and may pay it themselves and then pass the cost plus admin charges on to you. Some here have suggested that the hire companies are in on it all along.

Just make them clear of the situation and that you won't be paying it. Then you can happily ignore the bog roll that the PPC sends you.

Coupon-mad

mrbez wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply.

So I am okay to ignore this?

I was just worried about not paying and it affecting my credit at all?

Should I inform the hire company that I intend not to pay it as I am not obliged to? With it not being the council etc?

Many Thanks.

Not paying doesn't affect your credit at all as it's a scam claim, not a debt or fine at all; a worthless flyer on the car.

But the hire situation gives you a huge headache as you can't be sure the silly Hire Firm Fleet staff won't just pay it and claim a big admin fee from your credit card to boot! They will not automatically forward any letter to you and may just charge you a fee either way (whether they stupidly pay it or not). :mad:

See this thread for advice:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3764167

And follow all the links within links on there! You should find a pepipoo thread re Sixt van hire where a person refused to pay the lease co., which is similar to a hire car situation as far as PPC fake PCNs are concerned (only the driver can be 'alleged' to be 'liable', not the company). Firstly check your Hire t&cs, most of which only cover 'fines and penalties from authorities' which this breach of contract allegation is NOT.

You will need to be proactive with letters/ emails now, to stop the Hire co falling for it, and assertive if they think this is no different than a real PCN. Include links or printouts of info to educate them, such as the Fleet News article you'll find on the other threads on that link.