PCN on private land - Wright Hassall / ZZPS - please help!

confused2016

Hi,

I had a lease car through work back in May, parked on private land (NCP parking) and paid the correct fee to park. Turns out I parked outside of bay markings - although I was not in any way blocking anyone or anything, the space I used just wasn't marked. Anyway, I didn't pay the PCN attached to my screen then and just ignored.

As it was a lease car, it took my workplace until October to receive a letter from ZZPS claiming unpaid parking fine who passed it on to me. I wrote to them at that point explaining that there was nothing in way of signage to say I could not park at that spot. They replied saying the timeframe to appeal had passed and so were passing it onto Wright Hassall if no payment came through.

I then get a letter from Wright Hassall, at this point the PCN has gone up to £196, from ZZPS' £160, wanting payment and threatening CCJ if no payment. I reply saying there is no debt owed to either party and that were breaching SRA principles by taking advantage of lack of legal knoweldge etc etc, also that the Letter to Keeper did not arrive in proper timeframe therefore NCP/ZPPS need to drop the case.

They've now replied saying they've done everything properly etc, and that the PCN stands and the "outstanding balance" (changed from "debt") need to be paid, they've given me 14 days or they "may proceed to litigation".

What should I do? I really don't want the stress of court, and having to pay any further costs. I have read on a couple of threads that Wright Hassall do tend to go to court, is there anything else I should do now in writing etc that might stop them from doing so? Any advice/help much appreciated!

Coupon-mad

All the time the letter asks for payment to ZZPS you can be sure that no solicitor has really been involved. It's ZZPS using that headed notepaper to scare you. Debt collector stage is already fully covered in the NEWBIES thread.

Also this thread too:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5035663

WH have not been known to start many/any small claims. More likely if anything that a claim might come from Gladstones (easy enough to meaningfully defend). No big deal if so, come back if you get court papers. Really not a biggie, no CCJ, no issues for you in dealing with it except some time and a learning curve to negotiate to see it off at last.

confused2016

Thanks coupon_mad, I did try reading some of the other threads and doing my own research but still felt unsure as to what I should do next. Will ignore unless I get actual court papers now. Thanks again.