PCM fine - Solicitor letter - please help

seezjear

Hi all,

I read through various threads but I cannot find the best answer which would be the right approach for my case.
I would like to ask you for your advices.
My case in a nutshell.
My car was parked in front of my house, and I do own a permit, however I forgot to display it.
It was fine late afternoon, 5-6ish.
As soon as I found the fine, I contacted the firm (It might be my first mistake) to explain that I have the right permit, but I forgot to display it.
My appeal was rejected next day.
I went through IAIS to appeal, and I referred to the fact that – it is a permitted area, but I do have a permit. Also I mentioned that the photos are questionable.
They got photos of their sign, and they’ve got sets of photos of my car, but there is no photo in their evidences where my car and the sign is on the same photo.
So basically my car could have been anywhere in the world, there is no connection with their sign.
Anyway, I did not pay fines.
Today I received a letter from a solicitor called gladstones they told me to respond back within 14 days, or we will go to the court.
Could you please tell me what would be the best approach here?
The fine is £150 at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

pogofish

Please read the Newbies Sticky, which covers your situation and remaining options completely.

Also, THIS IS NOT ANY KIND OF FINE..!

The_Deep

Why do you have a permit? What does your lease say about parking?. IIs this your own space or allocated?


Read the blogs entitled You've been Gladstined


http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/

seezjear

Everyone in this area needs a permit to park. Unless you park on your driveway. This case my car was parked off street. Every house gets two permits in this area. So basically no one can park on these streets but the residents, with their permit. I am a resident, I do have the permit. I have been reading the forum for hours now - and found useful information, however I am not sure If my case will stand on a solid case.

Coupon-mad

How long have you lived there?

Freehold or leasehold title, or Tenancy?

When did the parking firm rock up?

What does your lease/tenancy agreement say about parking?

Where does your lease/tenancy agreement tell you that you are subject to £100 charge?*



*yes...thought not!

seezjear

I live there since April 2016. I am renting the property - so tenancy. I need to check my tenancy agreement, however I am renting from a private landlord through an agency.

safarmuk

Sounds like yet another Residential Parking wheeze ... as C-M says, this all depends what your lease and/or AST says.

Check it and get back to us.

You indicate that you have a driveway, where you can park and don't need a permit - so I presume you have a house that has a driveway you can park on and then there are other "off street" car parking spaces/bays for residents that you can also use to park and it was in one of these you got your PCN right?

The more information you provide the easier it is to help.

seezjear

Yes, I've got a driveway - where I can park without a permit, and we also got two permits, which can be used to park off street. Usually we park on the driveway (two cars can fit) but on that night I parked off street as we had some visitors and they parked on the driveway. I just forgot to display that bloody permit

Half_way

Were you living there before the parking company turned up?

seezjear

nope, they were there when I moved in.

Coupon-mad

OK so what does your AST say about parking and what paperwork or email accompanied the permit, did it warn of £100 charge specifically (that sum?) and did the permit paperwork state that the signs form part of the permit contract?

Do you pay for the permits? Who supplied them, management company or parking firm?