Persistent UKPC Parking Notices

Doofer911

Good Afternoon All,

I’ve got a bit of a situation regarding UKPC issuing parking notices almost every day and I’m hoping to gain some advice really. I’m not good when it comes to legal things and jargon but I’m almost certain I’m in the clear but I just don’t know how to deal with this situation at the moment...

I’ve been living in a flat in Galleons Point, E16 since December 2012 and I have a residents permit for parking in the area. The resident’s parking spaces are almost constantly full, there’s 12 spaces to serve about 24 flats so I usually resort to parking in bays marked “Visitor Parking Only” which are very rarely in use.This hasn’t been a problem until a couple of weeks ago when UKPC started issuing tickets nearly every day for “not displaying a valid permit”. At this time I wasn’t aware that these bays were “Visitor Only” but it’s not been a problem for the 4 months I’ve been here already. I’ve double and triple checked my permit and it’s definitely the correct type of permit for the correct area, the car registration on the permit matches my number plates and the permit Expires Dec 2013.

More recently now they have started issuing tickets for “Not parked correctly withinthe markings of the bay or space” when I clearly was, (I have video evidence on my YouTube channel "Doofer911") and when I viewed the photos taken when the charge was issued, the bay markings were out of frame and not included in the pictures.

I’ve done a bit of reading up on UKPC and I’m pretty confident that I’m in the clear and don’t have anything to worry about but receiving these tickets on a daily basis is really frustrating and was actually very distressing at first. I did appeal one of the tickets about 2 weeks ago but have not heard anything back other than a confirmation email when I submitted it.

I’m not sure what would be the best course of action at the moment. I’d planned on calling UKPC and raising this with them but I haven’t done so yet. There is a security office who look after the local area, not sure if it would be worth raising this with them or if they’d turn round and say speak to UKPC. I want to log a complaint against the UKPC agents with regard to the bay marking charges but I don’t know if that would be a smart move.

If anyone could give any advice or support that would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

Coupon-mad

The security office will say talk to UKPC, so don't bother with them.

DO NOT PHONE a private parking company, it's utterly pointless and a waste of your phone bill, as well as giving them your phone number to harass you forever more.

If ever you do contact them, do it in writing and keep copies.

As you have appealed one fake PCN, when you get the rejection letter, see if there's a POPLA code and paperwork enclosed. If so then come back and we will help you to appeal it to the second stage (POPLA). Do not just do a random repeat 'soft appeal' to POPLA, don't waste your chance to get it cancelled.

Personally, I would quickly appeal each and every one of the fake PCNs and ask for a POPLA code for each one (costs the PPC £27 plus VAT for every POPLA referral appeal and it's only binding on them not you). Just do one letter with all the ticket numbers written on it and send it off now.

Here's a recent reply with info about the sort of POPLA appeal which works, and a link to even more links on an other reply, help you as well. Happy reading:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4528779

Add to that the fact that UKPC have just been reported to the Information Commissioner for allegedly having your car reg details and millions of others, on show to the whole nation:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=77824

I would include that in any POPLA appeal as well, because it's potentially/allegedly a law breach as well as potentially/allegedly a BPA Code of Practice breach and potentially/allegedly a DVLA data breach too. Being careful what we say about that issue as UKPC are throwing their toys out of the pram about it right now!

Finally, had it not occurred to you to complain to the managing agent you pay your ground rent to, or the landlord you pay your rent to? Why are they (the managing agents, probably) letting a notorious firm like UKPC on site to harass residents and allegedly publish their car reg data on an insecure webpage, this being an insult and affront to residents who have a right to peaceful enjoyment of their property?

Does your rental agreement or lease say anything about your right to park a vehicle on site unharassed?

Doofer911

Wow thanks for the speedy response!

I'll get to work on an appeal letter tonight. No doubt I'll have another ticket number to add to the ever growing list when I get home.

That link about the pictures is very interesting as well, looks like there could be a breach under the Data Protection Act as well.

I had planned on speaking to Galleons Point Management who look after the whole area, I'm guessing they're the ones who employ UKPC's services to control parking. I just wasn't sure who to go to first or what to say.

Many thanks again for your response!

peter_the_piper

This goes to show that UKPC are not about management, if they were they would have your vrm and iggnore you, they are only in it for the cash.

Guys_Dad

Obviously you don't want these tickets every day. Obvious question, how does one get a visitor's permit? Does each flat get one for their visitors? If so, I don't have to spell out what to do.

Next point, just what do the signs say about parking in visitors' parking bays? Are the bays clearly defined? What restrictions are on them?

What does it say on your permit re parking?

The point is to go to POPLA with the aim of winning, one needs to see if the PPC has tripped up. If they have, then you are quids in. So go read the sign section of this URL http://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/AOS/BPA_CodeofPractice_2013_v1.pdf and appendix A as well.

Thats the start.

Doofer911

I don't need a visitor's permit, I already have a resident's permit which is marked "Private Surface Parking". There are surface parking areas and underground areas. Visitors permits are available from the security office at a cost of £1 each and they're valid for a day.

Can't remember the small print on the signs but it's the usual sort of thing, "must display a valid permit"..."fine of up to £xx". I'll have to read it again when I get home.

Surely though it's common sense....the Resident's parking area is full, where am I meant to go? Surely a Resident's car would take precedence over a visitor's? UKPC are not loosing money when my car is in a visitor space, my permit is paid for as part of my rent. The visitor's spaces are rarely (if ever) used so I'm not preventing visitors from using those spaces.

As for bay markings, only the corners of the bay are marked but in my opinion they're still clearly defined. I could see the corner markings on Google Maps satelite pictures.

Guys_Dad

That's the penalty of living in London. Councils et al issue expensive parking permits in excess of the spaces available.

Looking at Google Earth at what seems to be Galleon Point, there seems to be a car park with more than 12 spaces run by UKPC as well as some parking on street. The Visitors parking spaces are marked "VP" with paint on the paved ares. Has that been updated recently as VP is hardly meaningful on its own.

fb1969

Make sure your appeal is short and to the point, and print your name rather than sign it. Have a check on Pepipoo http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60 and you should find some examples of how to keep things brief.

If you want to know more about UKPC, this makes a good read http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?377246-UKPC-liable-for-trespass-**SUCCESS**

Doofer911

Thanks for the response people. I've got an appeal letter ready last night so will post that today.

As for the parking areas, none of them are marked with "VP" anymore, all the visitor areas have signs up now stating that they're "Visitor Only Parking" with all the usual fluff about fines being issued.