MET Parking Services - Help Needed

Simon.G

Hi Guys,

A named driver of my dads mobility vehicle got a parking charge notice on the 17/4/2014 for returning to a McDonalds within the 90 minute window that MET Parking Services allow.

This has happened before and the charge notice was ignored (as was the way back then), and to cut a long story short, it was not realised that the rules had changed and so the charge notice was again ignored this time.

My dad has now received a Notice of Proposed Litigation and has been asked to pay the £150 fine within 7 days (although the letter has no date on it other than the notice issue date).

Anyway, I had a look and have realised that the rules have changed and that these notices cannot be ignored any more as the keeper of the car can now be chased for the money.

I have looked over the flowchart, but as nothing has been done (no appeal, no POPLA number etc), I am not sure what our next move is.

To be clear, the original charge notice has been binned (I had a go at my dad about this) and the only paperwork that we have is a Notification Of Liability and the Notice Of Proposed Litigation.

If anyone can provide any help I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

hoohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5126897

According to this poster, MET write 4 times then stop...at least when he worked for them.

It is too late for their sham appeal process for the keeper, but you can reset the clock by naming the driver. They can then appeal, at which point you can then use POPLA to get the charge cancelled if they refuse to cancel.

Dublindel

I suggest that you write back suggesting that you would more than welcome the matter going to litigation. In fact you insist on it, inform them that further letters will be charged a handling fee of £22.

Dublindel

You can combine the 2 posts above in one letter.

Fruitcake

Start with a very strongly worded snotogramme to McDonalds. The driver was a customer (or was collecting/dropping off a customer) and was legitimately using a mobility vehicle thus Mucky Dees have breached the Equality Act.


The keeper of the vehicle can still appeal, although MET will have you believe otherwise. I'm sure the NEWBIES thread deals with appealing late so I suggest you go back and have another read.


Don't say who was driving, not even to McDs.

Simon.G

Thanks for that.

I remember the original parking notice that had a picture of the car, however you could not see who was driving it so they cannot prove that much at least.

I'll have a look at the newbies thread again.

Simon.G

Ok, had a good look over the Newbies thread now.

Am I right in thinking that I am to now send a robust letter to Debt Recovery Plus stating that my dad has no intention of paying the debt, and a second letter in the form of the First Appeal to MET?

Again, thanks in advance

Coupon-mad

If you like but it won't stop the silly letter chain and it won't get a POPLA code. The keeper has left themselves open to the fun & excitement of DRP and Zenith letters arriving throughout 2015. The keeper is too late to appeal. Advice here changed two years ago...no idea why so many people are still ignoring these fake PCNs. Luckily for you, it's only MET, not Parking Eye who sue people.

Why are you not looking at the Newbies thread point about 'resetting the clock' by naming the driver, which was already given to you as a 'heads up' above? This would mean they would have to send a new PCN out to the driver, who CAN then appeal from scratch. All explained in the Newbies thread, with an example. i.e. Dad at his address writes and names you at your address - you know it was you...yes it was...best if it was...since you are here & armed with the advice to appeal when you get your PCN!

Simon.G

Thanks Coupon-mad.

My only concern about naming me as the driver is that I don't hold a driving license. The actual driver of the vehicle at the time was my previous partner, who I do not have a very good relationship with.

Should I still go down the route of naming myself as the driver (I am at a different address) and appeal that way? My concern is that if it does go to court and then I will be up the creek without a paddle!

Again, thanks in advance.

Simon.G

Anyone able to confirm or deny the above?

Coupon-mad

My only concern about naming me as the driver is that I don't hold a driving license. The actual driver of the vehicle at the time was my previous partner, who I do not have a very good relationship with.

Dad writes from his address and names the driver as 'previous partner's name' BUT AT YOUR ADDRESS. You then get the letters to your address and if they re-issue the PCN you do the appeal in the name of the driver (partner). You can handle it all and it's not a lie to say the partner was driving (any address can be given for service of documents & letters). You then win at POPLA (in partner's name, we always win) and Dad never gets bothered by any more letters at all.