UK Parking Controls Ltd

SnakeMan

My wife received a 'Charge Notice' yesterday, from UK Parking Controls Ltd.

image available at:
dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8210141/Parking/2013-10-12%20Notice%20to%20Keeper%20%28Redacted%29.gif
PDF at:
!!!!!!!.com/lqh7sba

Sorry, I can't embed the image because I'm a new user

I know the advice used to be ignore them and buy a waste paper burner, but has that changed since the PoF legislation last year? I have seen frequent advice to follow the appeals procedure recently.

The circumstances:

The car was parked at the rear of the shops detailed in the Charge Notice for about the period they claim. When it was parked I, as the driver (not my wife, who is registered keeper), checked the area for signs and whilst there was a UKPC sign on the wall of the building, it was about 12' in the air and not easily read. It made reference to parking 'in accordance with the displayed Terms & Conditions', but nowhere were those Ts & Cs displayed (or labelled as such). I can't remember whether or not it stated the 'charge' for non-compliance. I wish I had taken a picture of the sign :-/

Assuming the car park was reserved for clients of the shops, we went into those shops, spending £350+ in one, and about £10-£20 in two of the others. After about an hour, we returned to the car and drove away - no notice on the car.

The charge notice was obviously triggered by ANPR cameras, but there were no obvious signs of cameras or warning signs at the entrance to the car park. Google StreetView shows no signs either, but their image is dated July 2012. Unfortunately, the car park is 100 miles away, so it isn't really practical to go and get pictures now (Unless someone is in the Crystal Palace area of London and is willing to help out).

So, my questions...

1. Is the current advice to Ignore or Appeal?
2. Does the Notice look like it complies with the minimum requirements for a Notice to Keeper?
3. If I appeal to UKPC, do I have to use the same grounds to appeal to POPLA, or can I add further grounds at that stage?
4. Is UKPC one of the [STRIKE]cowboys[/STRIKE] companies that does issue County Court claims to recover the 'debt'?

I wait with baited breath....

Umkomaas

1. Appeal
2. Pretty standard fare, you could nit-pick some holes in it, but really only non-compliant dates would be the showstopper. Plenty of other heavyweight points to go at.
3. Put what you like in the initial appeal, it will be rejected, the aim is to get POPLA code, then go to town in that.
4. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/168158/response/413887/attach/3/AFINAL%20REPLY%20TO%20LEWIS%2084035.doc

4consumerrights

Firstly what was the date you parked?
What was the date on the parking charge and what date did it arrive.
Parking companies under PoFA have just 14 days from the event to issue the notice.
Secondly UK Parking Control(s - the "s" company name is supposed to be a dormant holding company) their signs are a usually a complete joke and yes they do tend to place signs very high up with tiny writing if any for terms"
Was there a sign at the car parks entrance? - this is a mandatory requirement under BPA's code.

Thirdly just send a soft appeal to UK Parking Control - what was their actual condition you allegedly breached? It does not really matter what you say they will reject and should issue a POPLA code.

Appeal to UK Parking Control along the lines:

I am writing as registered keeper (if they are out of date - state they are out of time to pursue this charge under PoFA - 14 days for ANPR charges) and suggest they cancel the charge immediately to comply with their Code of Practice. If they refuse to cancel please supply POPLA code as you will rigorously defend this charge.

If the above is not applicable appeal:

I am writing to appeal against the parking charge as no contract was made between the keeper or driver and UK Parking Control due to no visible signage with any terms and conditions present.

Come back for more detailed help from everyone for POPLA appeal - and yes you can add extra for this.
UKPC todate as far as I am aware from reading and older posters should verify have not yet taken anyone to court.

In the meantime write to the retail place (please keep all receipts) requesting that they cancel this charge .

Hope this helps. Others will no doubt offer further guidance and assistance. Please make sure you appeal to UK Parking Control in time to get the POPLA code.

zzzLazyDaisy

Don't miss the deadline for appealing to UKPC as that is the only way to get the magic code to appeal to POPLA.

Write the appeal as the registered keeper - and say something like 'on the day in question the driver ... blah blah'

Do you have receipts / card statements / invoices for the spends in the shops? If so as well as appealing on signage, make it clear that the driver was a genuine customer of the shops and include COPIES of the receipts etc (with any sensitive info blanked out).

At the same time COMPLAIN to the stores you shopped in about the way you are being charged by this parking company to spend YOUR money in THEIR shop, and send them a copy of the relevant receipt /proof of payment.

See THIS thread for successes (the thread has only been running since August)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4766249

SnakeMan

4consumerrights wrote: »

Firstly what was the date you parked?
What was the date on the parking charge and what date did it arrive.

I should have said, since I redacted the info, the notice arrived 12 days after the "offence".

SnakeMan

Thanks all, I will draft an appeal letter tonight.

I am under no illusion that it will be succesful!

Coupon-mad

That's fine - but the POPLA appeal will be successful, with our help. We win every case at the moment at POPLA.

And see zzzLazyDaisy's advice to complain to the Retail Managers - your receipts will no doubt have a phone number on them so you can still complain assertively even though this isn't local to you. As you can see from the link Daisy gave you, LOADS of Store Managers cancel fake PCNs every day when customers complain.