Parking Charge Notice

KatSnoopsUK

Hello All, I have read an number of examples of parking fines in retail areas etc, however I have received a Parking Charge Notice for parking in a private residence area in the incorrect bay.

I parked there for 1 hour to drop off a friend who was severely ill and all the visitor bays were taken. They have demanded £100 reduced to £60 if I pay within 14 days, which I think is unjust as the company/landowner has lost any money in me parking there (there is no pay and display) for only 1 hour.

I can afford the fine, but think that it's pretty unjust and would rather not pay it if possible.

Do I write a letter directly to the company on the grounds of unfairness & unreasonably high fee? Thanks in advance for any help and tips.

bazster

What company? Your car or a leased/company/hire car? Presumably in Wales going by your location?

KatSnoopsUK

Its from New Generation Parking Management which is a member of the BPA. It was my car in Cardiff Century Wharf residential area.
Thanks Bazster - any help would be greatly appreciated!

bazster

Usual advice, sit tight until you get a Notice to Keeper in the post, and in the meantime study this forum so you know what to do next.

KatSnoopsUK

I have already received a letter in the post from the company demanding that I pay the £60 in 14 days. Should I not appeal before the 14days is up?

kb_soma

I had one of these for parking in a free retail car park earlier on this year. I wrote to them and never got a response, which is not a bad thing - albeit rude IMO!

I'd be tempted to appeal before the 14 days are up. Write to them and explain the mitigating circumstances in which you had to use that bay, explain about your friend etc... Their contact details are here: http://www.ngpltd.com/appeals

I have been told that you should not pay a parking charge unless it is a fine from the council or the police, but it won't hurt to complain...

kb_soma

Also see:

Edited to removed doomed link...

bazster

Sorry but that's terrible advice. They couldn't give a stuff about mitigating circumstances and explaining all that rigmarole will reveal who the driver was, which you do NOT want to do.

Read the Newbies thread at the top of the forum and get a letter template from there. You need to tell them all the legal reasons why their charge is unenforceable, talking about your particular circumstances will get you nowhere.

bazster

kb_soma wrote: »

Also see: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets

No, don't. Although that page is better than it was it's still not brilliant and comes at the problem from the wrong starting point.

kb_soma

cheers bazter, that puts me in my place!

bazster

Yep, sure does! And you are not out of the woods yet either, these companies are serial losers of mail, they often claim they never received an appeal and then months later set debt collectors on you demanding hundreds. That's why you need to do it properly in the first place - or be prepared to tough it out for the long haul.

I'm all for toughing it out myself but many aren't.