Total Parking Solution - reduced charge

Rusty_C

Hi all, I'm a newbie to this so forgive me if I am not abiding to correct etiquette or posting this in the wrong place. I have a query regarding a penalty charge that my son acquired, so would be very grateful for your advice.

During April 2015 my son drove his car from home to university as he got himself a part-time job to help fund his student lifestyle, and having a car up there would help this. He parked his car in the university campus car park and made his way to the office to get a parking permit. On return to his car he found a Penalty Charge Notice stuck to his windscreen. His friends advised him these were not enforceable and so he ignored it, thinking that was the last of it. When he returned home some months later he opened his post to find a letter from Premier Solictors saying he owes their client (TPS) £95. As he missed the cut off date for a POPLA appeal, he wrote to them explaining the above mentioned situation and sent them a copy of his university parking permit.

We heard nothing from them again until last month where they wrote again quoting the Beavis case and he had to pay the £95 within 2 weeks or they would take him to court. At this point I contacted the University to say this is totally unjust and how could they allow one of their students to get pursued in this manner, especially as he lived on campus and was in the process of collecting his permit when the ticket was given out. They said they would contact TPS to see what they could do.

However today, he received another letter Premier Solicitors saying the PCN was valid because his car wasn't displaying a permit at that time, but they would reduce the charge down to £30 if he pays within 2 weeks. To me it seems like this is an admission they are in the wrong and are trying to chance their arm on robbing my son of whatever money they can get.

Am I right to advise my son just to ignore this latest letter and tell the University he will not be paying the charge and they should inform their parking company to back off?

Many thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

The_Slithy_Tove

Get back onto the Uni. It's not good enough them saying they'll "see what they can do". They are the principal, i.e. they contracted TPS to manage their land. As the organ grinder, therefore, they can TELL TPS to cancel, not just ask.

BTW, did it really say "Penalty Charge", or are you using words that were never used in reality?

Fruitcake

Ignoring private parking tickets has been a bad idea since the law changed in 2012. Whoever told your son to ignore wants their backsides kicking, and asking for a contribution.

Definitely complain to the Uni as they are the ones that caused the problem.

The_Deep

Beavis does not apply in University car parks. Copy the letters to the SRA complaining that they are misleading you.


http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor.page

System

Beavis does not apply in University car parks

Good news for all those with Brunel, Hull, and Solihull tickets. It would help though if you could cite your evidence for this.

Coupon-mad

Well it would be an argument based upon what decided the Beavis case, which I'm sure you've read? i.e. saying something as simple as this:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71621195#Comment_71621195

HTH

Ralph-y

"Has anyone any idea why the Beavis case wouldn't be applicable to University car parks?"

the Beavis case was about a retail park with an overstay of the time allowed ....

nothing to do with permits at all ....

if you read CM's link you will see that the judge made a statement about such

hence 'The Deeps' suggestion is valid

Ralph:cool: