Just need to check ....

I-LOV-MONEY

The Management company for our estate are about to introduce a PPC for residents and visitors. (Park Direct UK Ltd)

Basically I have told them what I think of the idea !

They refer to displaying a permit else we would be issued with a ticket. They then refer to clamping or towing. They confirm that clamping on private land is "outlawed" (is it not illegal ? - or am I being pedantic?). Then they refer to unauthorised parked vehicles (and unroadworthy), and they will notify the Local Authority, the Police and DVLA and will work with them to have the vehicle removed.

Two questions -

1 Our road is not adopted by the Local Authority. Do any of the above still have jurisdiction to remove a vehicle?

2 Can they claim that because I am not displaying a permit, I am unauthorised ?

Thanks.

Coupon-mad

Same advice as here, now is the time to get other residents to see this for what it is:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5040306

Technically a vehicle can be removed by the Police or Council but we aren't talking any real 'day to day' threat of this - just removal of any clearly abandoned pile of crap really and that would take months to authorise.

You should show other residents and the managing agents about Park Direct:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213482/Gone-30-seconds-How-cowboy-clampers-pounced-half-minute-claim-150-fine.html

http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/2010234.drivers_advised_not_to_pay_parking_tickets/

They are well known ex-clampers, Ealing Trading Standards and others, have files a few inches thick about this lot.

Now they are not clampers (of course) this is what they do - so many threads about them swooping after 30 seconds even now:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=park+direct+uxbridge+site%3Aforums.moneysavingexpert.com

Vile.

I-LOV-MONEY

Thank you Coupon-Mad for this. Unfortunately the press cuttings are very old and as we know clamping is no longer permitted. However, I will look at the Google links (thanks for showing me how to get Google to answer a question for somebody!).

One thing that would be interesting is if they decide they want to do something because I am not displaying a permit, they would contact DVLA for my details, which would come up with my address which is the road they are monitoring and therefore the car is not 'abandoned'.

They are also proposing to introduce visitors permits providing you give them 48 hours notice. If somebody comes unexpectedly, then you can download a permit from their website for £2 !!!! Alternatively they can park in the adjacent road which is not being monitored, but has the same Management Company !

The_Deep

Are you a leaseholder or a tenant? What does your lease/AST say about parking?

I-LOV-MONEY

I am a leaseholder, and the lease does not make any mention about parking. I have written to the Management Company regarding this, but they have chosen to ignore my query!

Can they impose the condition without agreement from each leaseholder / tenant?. They claim the "overwhelming majority" of people that have contacted them are in favour. Do you (or anybody else) know whether I can ask for exact numbers under the Freedom of Information Act ?

Coupon-mad

I-LOV-MONEY wrote: »

They are also proposing to introduce visitors permits providing you give them 48 hours notice. If somebody comes unexpectedly, then you can download a permit from their website for £2 !!!! Alternatively they can park in the adjacent road which is not being monitored, but has the same Management Company !

:eek:

Absolutely and categorically SAY NO. That is not how you want to live your life! Unbelievable. What about supermarket delivery drivers, taxis, ambulances, district nurses, and friends who just pop by? If they do then it would take you 10 mins to get their permit downloaded and ParkDirect issue tickets within seconds. People visiting you wouldn't even have time to come up to your flat to collect a permit even if you had it ready in your hand, believe me!

You need a residents meeting sharpish to point all this out to the hapless ones who might think parking permits are a good thing. I am sure the overwhelming majority may well be in favour if it was sold to them that this was a 'service to make sure they got their space each day'. Most people haven't a clue that in fact the victims WILL be the residents and their visitors so you need to ensure people realise that or you will be stuck with the scam for the lifetime of the contract - could be a year at least!

And don't discount those old articles - it paints the picture of who you are dealing with, then if people day 'yep but clamping's not legal' you can show them that the firm is still doing the same only with aggressive and immediate ticketing. The scam has moved on but remain almost as aggressive as ever. No-one should be in favour of letting this lot in. Lay it on thick, make it clear - put clear details in every letter box if you have to and call an extraordinary emergency residents' meeting.

Then you can give everyone the details of how to appeal - this forum, and that they never have to pay... but MUST NOT ignore the tickets, should appeal as registered keeper when the first letters arrives.

In particular anyone with a company or lease car is in deep doo-doo if they don't come here and appeal early and word it well - Park Direct are not a pushover at POPLA and if anyone ignores a ticket, or it gets removed so they never knew they had one, their company Fleet Managers are highly likely to just pay the scam when the NTK arrives and deduct it from their wages/card.

So make sure you point that out to the professionals with their company cars who think it's a good idea. It is madness especially that bit about downloading a poxy permit. What if your printer runs out of ink that evening? What if you have a laptop but no printer? Or no internet? What if your broadband is down? What if some residents can't download it quick enough? What about new residents moving in who haven't got their internet connection yet but relatives are helping them move in?

Terrible system obviously suggested by Park Direct and swallowed hook, line and sinker by the management firm.

fil_cad

Money makeing SCAM !!!!!! the scum off.

I-LOV-MONEY

Oh C-m I wish you were living here !!

A few years ago the Management Company wanted to impose a surcharge onto our service contract. A few of us got together and made what was a strong case of why we should not be paying. We then invited the rest of the residents and formed a Residents Committee. After a couple of meetings, the residents 'lost interest' and I presume paid up - and we are talking c.£400+. The Residents Committee disbanded due to lack of interest (nobody has asked what happened to it!).

I really cannot see them getting motivated for £60 / £100. As one resident I was speaking to this evening said, "we are alright" (Jack!) , we put up our permit and we will not be bothered.

I have some print outs of the advice notice from Pepipoo which I will put on any car that I see with a notice on.

BTW The Management Company initially said they would wish to check insurance, MOT, and tax before issuing a permit. (They have not referred to that in their latest correspondence). What an administrative nightmare that would be - all three expire on different dates! What if one expires the day after they 'inspect' it ?!

Coupon-mad

I would email the management company and ask how YOU opt out - and pointing out all the flaws of the scam and who they are in bed with...

I-LOV-MONEY

I have e-mailed them twice already. I have had no reply, but today they have sent a Q&A to all residents. One point I did say was as it was not in my lease and that I am deciding whether or not to comply with the scheme.

Coupon-mad

So if they won't answer, just before it goes live write and say you have opted out and will hold the management company liable for any losses or damages for distress for harassment if the scumbags touch any vehicle in your bay.