ParkingEye and POPLA

gavcradd · 5 April 2014 at 7:17PM

I'm helping out a friend who has received a £100 "Parking Charge Notice" from ParkingEye. I won't go into the major details here, but basically, she parked on a pub car park and went into the pub for 2 hours, but didn't do what the signs said (she had to leave her registration number at the bar) because she didn't see the signs (it was dark).

Anyway, having read all of the stickies and posts on here, I'm slightly confused... it seems as though the winning strategy is to get to the POPLA appeals stage and then use the "not a true pre-estimate of losses, no authority, etc" argument. I've also read though that ParkingEye won't go to POPLA without a court insisting.

However, on the back of the letter I've got here, it says that if I appeal to ParkingEye, if unsuccesful they will send me a unique POPLA reference number. Is this not true? Do they refer me to POPLA or not?

Sorry if this has been covered before, I honestly have spent the past two hours trying to read everything on here and other sites!

hoohoo · 5 April 2014 at 7:25PM

ParkingEye have to give you a POPLA code if you appeal within 28 days of the parking event.

After that, they wont give you a POPLA code because they always lose at POPLA. At that point, only a court order will force them to give a POPLA code, even though they pretend to the court otherwise.

Hope this clarifies

da_rule · 5 April 2014 at 7:30PM

When was this? As has been said, if it's still during the appeal time limit then they have to give you one if they reject your appeal.

gavcradd · 5 April 2014 at 7:56PM

Yes, it's still within the time limit - the letter was only received yesterday.

I'll go for it and let you know of the outcome

Thanks for your help.

ColliesCarer · 5 April 2014 at 8:14PM

You might find the flowchart linked below useful as route map for the overall process - scroll down to last page for latest version

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4922055

Stroma · 5 April 2014 at 8:39PM

She needs to appeal this, use the appeal wording in post #1 of the sticky thread by coupon bad. If they reject then popla is the way to go. If this letter is posted get a free proof of postage from the post office, also appeal online to them.

But make complaints to the pub, if she couldn't see the signs as it was dark and they were not illuminated then clearly she couldn't agree any terms, point out that the driver was a customer and copy any receipts or proof of spend if she has it.