UKPC Parking Charge - Vehicle Owner/Driver left site

theshoeman

I have received a final reminder for a parking charge I had received in May 2013 that I had previously ignored. I had parked in a retail park that had signs prominently posted and I noted the maximum stay of 2 hrs.

When I returned to my car I found the parking charge attached to the windscreen; I read the notices and saw that it highlighted that the driver needed to remain on site when the vehicle was parked there. It did not indicate what the site was nor did I see any signs indicating that I was leaving site.

The final notice indicates that POPLAis only available if the notice is appealed to UKPC within 28 days which I am now outside.

The photo shows my car parked on site with empty spaces all around it. I feel the "charge" is out of line with any loss.

Any recommendations?

Guys_Dad

Dates, please.

Windscreen notice date.
Notice to keeper.

Reason? You could still be in time for an appeal to POPLA.

Coupon-mad

In fact they have to serve the first letter between day 29 and day 56 after the windscreen fake PCN. But sadly it's non-compliant anyway as they've decided to call it a 'final reminder' so it clearly isn't a Notice to Keeper. This is a summary of what they should have done if they wanted to have a stab at keeper liability:

http://www.parkingcowboys.co.uk/keeper-liability/

If this is the first letter you have had in the post then now is the time to appeal it as the registered keeper (NOT as the driver!).

Which is exactly what we recommend on every thread you read here. Best way to see examples of what to send is to read some other UKPC threads; there are loads if you just look back a few pages on the forum.

On pepipoo there are also loads of threads, here's one where I posted as SchoolRunMum and suggested a 'complaint-style' challenge (post #22):

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=78168&st=20&gopid=837960

As you can see, it worked.

And here's a case on MSE where the person missed the appeal deadline but I suggested another version of a strong 'get lost' letter:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/62257843#Comment_62257843

There's fun to be had in seeing off UKPC! Let us know when you get a POPLA code as there's more to writing a POPLA appeal than meets the eye if you want to win.

theshoeman

Windscreen Ticket 8th May
First Letter Dated 7th June
Final Reminder Dated 24th June but I only recevied it a couple of days ago (redirection)

Thanks for the feedback.

Coupon-mad

theshoeman wrote: »

Windscreen Ticket 8th May
First Letter Dated 7th June
Final Reminder Dated 24th June but I only recevied it a couple of days ago (redirection)

Thanks for the feedback.

So send a very quick IMMEDIATE challenge referring ONLY to the letter dated 7th June (and saying it was only received on - say - 15th June due to postal redirection). That would mean your appeal would still be in time.

just copy & paste one from the links and send it now. Do not alter it much in case you accidentally ad a sentence implying who was driving.

theshoeman

Thanks for the advice - I've sent a letter with the initial challenge asking for a POPLA ref if not accepted.

Will update in due course.

theshoeman

I've received 2 letters from Debt Recovery Plus requesting payment for the original charge plus 60 pounds (in accordance with terms and conditions of parking). First letter was to my previous address, 2nd letter to my current address in response to the letter I sent to UKPC advising I was contesting the charge and requesting a POPLA reference. The letter also stated that as the 28 day period had elapsed that POPLA was no longer available and that as their "client" UKPC had passed the matter to them all correspondence should be with DR+.

bazster

There is nothing to be gained from communicating with DR+, they are useless, toothless issuers of worthless begging letters. Ignore them.

Stroma

And Zenith Collections are equally as useless, they will be writing next with their pathetic demands. If you look at their letter closely you will see that they are in fact DR+ pretending to be someone else.

theshoeman

just checking to see if there is any recommended pro-active actions I should take. Thanks.

Stroma

Yes ignore there is no middle ground as the whole thing is an unlawful penalty