Smart Parking Ltd

DKB_2

Hi,
I would value some help/advice please
I have been issued two parking charges as i over stayed my parking time by just over 10minutes. Both were with in same week of each other and in the same car park monitored by a camera by smart parking? On the first occasion, i got back to the car park with in my time limit, however, i then used my phone to return a missed call before exiting the car park ! The second time I was late on returning to the car park because i was almost there when i realised that I had left my phone behind in the shop. I have used this car park on several occasions and i add, I have returned well with in the time limit and quite honestly, this is a ridiculous amount to be charged for a small amount of time. I have kept my machine tickets since sept and oct. i have been sent parking charge notifications , also DRP letters and one letter from Zenith Collections saying that I have not paid my parking charge ( now £160). I I now have a letter (of sorts) from Gladstones solicitors (not signed by a named solicitor) claiming if i do not pay the sum of £320 to DRP on behalf of their client Smart Parking Ltd then i may well face court proceedings and this will go on my credit file etc! I do not want to pay this unjust amount for the various reasons above. I am a small earner, working 25 hours week! I am not a person who blatantly breaks the law. This is now weighing heavy on me. Do I need to pay this ?

Umkomaas

You haven't broken any law!

You're past the point of being able to appeal this and easily have the charges dismissed by POPLA. You will now have to wait the balance of 6 years before this becomes 'statute barred' and cannot then be taken to court.

At time of writing Smart don't do court - never have previously.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2329119

Have you complained to the landowner?

Ignore DRP and Zenith (both the same outfit). If the Gladstones letter tells you to pay DRP or Zenith, ignore that too - they've just pimped out their letterhead to DRP/Zenith to scare people into thinking this has been escalated.

Have you read the NEWBIES FAQ sticky? It tells you all you need to know.

If you're going to post again, please use the 'Return' key on your keypad to create paragraphs. Walls of text are virtually impossible to read and many of the experts on the forum refuse to read them, which means you won't be getting the best range of advice.

DKB_2

Thanks for your time .
No I have not complained to land owner. Not sure who they are? The car park is sited on Sports Direct so I could try there?

Coupon-mad

DKB wrote: »

Thanks for your time .
No I have not complained to land owner. Not sure who they are? The car park is sited on Sports Direct so I could try there?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5481936

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5576621

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5571285

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5453155

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5410436

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5410654

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5376323

Loads of threads about this stupid place (above) and this stupid letter (below):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/72361276#Comment_72361276

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5628998

Do I need to pay this ?

Course not! Get a grip!