Gladstone letter re: parking control management

SharkPond

Hi, so I've been reading through this thread and other websites for a few days now before posting this thread.

Back in january a PCN was incurred from parking control management (PCM)
It and their NTK were ignored as well as the two subsequent letters from trace debt recovery.
On fridaya letter from gladstones arrived informing me because the ticket is not paid, first £60, then £100 and now £160 they have been instructed to take legal action.
And I must pay in 14 days to avoid further action.

now this is the interesting bit;
The car was parked outside a house in a housing estate for a university, when you call up the parking people for a permit they say that the house in particular is not eligible for one because it is not on their system (its done by a private landlord)
so there was no way to ever get a permit.
This is why the ticket was ignored.
PCM have not had any correspondence with the driver regarding this ticket.


How likely is it that I will receive an LBC or some form of court documents?
Also what are the chances of me being able to negotiate a payment plan with them.
the only reason I ask about a payment plan is it will be too time consuming for myself to defend such a relatively small amount in comparison to the time it will take?

And are there any other options available to me here?

I hope I havent asked any stupid questions, and thank you for any and all advice / answers

Quentin

Read up in the newbies FAQ thread on the debt collectors stage.

The ppc has 6 years to start legal proceedings

Come back to the newbies FAQ if you get court action for advice on how to defend it

SharkPond

Hi, I've read the newbies thread, did it several times over.
Surely this is beyond the debt collector stage now as i am no longer getting letters from trace recovery?

Quentin

The debt collector stage can last the 6 years

Next stage from there is court action if they decide to go through with it

No point considering offering anything until until they go for a court claim

SharkPond

But I have a letter from gladstone solicitors telling me their client could instruct them to claim, so surely this is beyond that stage now given PCM have already instructed them to write to me?

Quentin

No. it's just a threat intended to scare you into paying

SharkPond

so should I just wait for the time being until I receive something else in 14 days?
What is the likelihood of them contacting me again?
Further, does me not responding at all at this stage work badly for me as i am not seen to be communicating?

Quentin

Don't engage with them. That just lets them know you are worried and worth their while pressuring you.

Wait and see if you get a proper lbcca or court claim then come back for advice on that if it ever comes

SharkPond

Can it not be inferred from the experience of other users on this board however that such an LBC will inevitably follow?

Coupon-mad

damnckenna wrote: »

so should I just wait for the time being until I receive something else in 14 days?
What is the likelihood of them contacting me again?
Further, does me not responding at all at this stage work badly for me as i am not seen to be communicating?

It only looks 'bad' if you don't respond to a Letter before Claim, not just a threat. But having said that, I really like this suggested reply that you could adapt, provided last week courtesy of Johnersh:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/72802210#Comment_72802210

You can see his version was written about letters from 'WH' but you can change it to make sense, I expect, if you would rather respond then do so in a strong, attacking style.

damnckenna wrote: »

Can it not be inferred from the experience of other users on this board however that such an LBC will inevitably follow?

I would say yes, and no response will stop a claim. You are likely to get a claim to defend but you are VERY likely to win, with our help.

SharkPond

Thank you for the advice

Given the amount of time a defence will take and just generally my peace of mind; i am willing to settle with them


In your experience how likely are they to accept payment plans?
As Im a student and couldnt even afford to pay the ticket at the time if I wanted to

Thanks