To Pay or Not to Pay?

Mkitchen337

I purchased a flat 8 months ago. Along with the purchase of the leasehold of the flat I also have a percentage of the freehold. I have a designated parking space, and there is also a visitors parking area.

Last month my Dad parked in my space whilst I was at work (he was fixing my shower). I popped home from work and parked in the visitors space (which I assumed I could do as I own a percentage of the freehold). I was there no longer than 15 minutes and found a parking charge from UKPC on my car. I have tried to informally appeal this with them, but their only response was that I have to pay the fine.

I've had several people tell me not to pay it, but am scared not to incase I get in trouble, or end up owing a lot of money.

Does anyone have any advice, or has anyone else experienced this at all?

Coupon-mad

I have tried to informally appeal this with them, but their only response was that I have to pay the fine.

What did you do to 'informally appeal'? Did you get a POPLA code?

Are you only the resident and neither the keeper nor driver of the car?

Did you appeal and give them your name and address?

Have you missed the red note about UKPC in NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST?

Go and read it now.

And, you OWN part of the Freehold, what the heck are the residents thinking of, to allow the MA to bring in these ex-clampers? Get them removed sharpish, this lot should not be infesting your home:

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/13776434.Fraud_police_investigate_parking_firm_over_photograph_tampering_allegations/

KICK THEM OUT NOW.

waamo

What is this obsession Newbies have with asking if they should pay?

There's a thread that tells Newbies to read it first. Read it. It's how not to pay.

pogofish

Mkitchen337 wrote: »

I've had several people tell me not to pay it, but am scared not to incase I get in trouble, or end up owing a lot of money.

Does anyone have any advice, or has anyone else experienced this at all?

What did you make of the Newbies Sticky then? - It is properly up to date covers everything!

The_Deep

UKPC are fraudsters, read this

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11858473/Parking-firm-UKPC-admits-faking-tickets-to-fine-drivers.html

Still want to pay them?

This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for minor breaches of contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors.

Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, and another company have already been named and shamed, as has Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each year). They lose most of them, and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct

Hospital car parks and residential complex tickets have been especially mentioned.

The problem has become so rampant that MPs have agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers. Watch the video of the Second Reading in the HofC recently.

http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2f0384f2-eba5-4fff-ab07-cf24b6a22918?in=12:49:41

and complain in the most robust terms to your MP. With a fair wind they will be out of business by Christmas.

The_Slithy_Tove

Mkitchen337 wrote: »

Does anyone have any advice

Get out your lease, and find out exactly what it says about both the designated parking spaces AND the visitors parking. What conditions, if any, does the lease impose?

Also, check for any clauses which allow the freeholder (your company) or its agent (normally a management company) to impose regulations or some such for the effective management of the common areas.