Private Parking Fine for Parking outside of marked bay, in free car park!!

scan718

Hi Guys, 
I was wondering if anyone could help me. 

I have been issued a fine by UKCPM (dodgy private car parking firm) for parking outside of a marked bay, in a free car park. This fine was £65 within 14 days and £100 after, however it has now risen to £160 and I am being contacted by a debt recovery company. 

I know if this goes to court I shouldn’t have to pay a penny, because of many reasons: empty car park, short term stay, no clear lines, puddles in car parking spaces, no clear signage etc. 

However I am worried if this goes to court it could have a negative impact on my credit rating and also I do not want a CCJ! Also they are saying if you lose in court it will be £235...

can someone please give me some advice on this and what to do, will they actually take me to court or is it just scaremongering?

thanks in advance

Ralph-y

hi, and welcome to the forum ..... to start with ... please have a read of...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822/newbies-private-parking-ticket-old-or-new-read-these-faqs-first-thankyou/p1
I suggest people start at the fifth post and make a note of the acronyms and abbreviations then  go back to the start

Ralph

Redx

Yes it's likely to have a court claim issued , by the CCBC in Northampton , MCOL , ukcpm have 6 years to do this

A typical loss in court is about £200 for one PCN , if you did lose , pay in full within 30 days , to avoid the CCJ affecting your credit rating , preferably pay the claimant as soon as possible , never leave it , it's those who fail to pay promptly whose credit rating is affected

If you do win in court , you will pay nothing and may claim expenses

It appears that you have received a debt collector letter , reading the newbies FAQ sticky thread near the top of the forum will assist you

Plan A is your best option here , it always is !! ALWAYS !!

scan718

Redx said:

Yes it's likely to have a court claim issued , by the CCBC in Northampton , MCOL , ukcpm have 6 years to do this

A typical loss in court is about £200 for one PCN , if you did lose , pay in full within 30 days , to avoid the CCJ affecting your credit rating , preferably pay the claimant as soon as possible , never leave it , it's those who fail to pay promptly whose credit rating is affected

If you do win in court , you will pay nothing and may claim expenses

It appears that you have received a debt collector letter , reading the newbies FAQ sticky thread near the top of the forum will assist you

Plan A is your best option here , it always is !! ALWAYS !!

Hi Red,

thanks for the helpful response, I have taken your advise and read the newbies thread which has been helpful. 

However can you clarify what ‘Plan A’ is? Is this ignoring the debt collectors letters?
thanks!

fisherjim

Yes you ignore debt collectors but this is plan A cunningly concealed as......Plan A:

1. ALL CASES, EVERYWHERE - COMPLAIN FIRST, ESPECIALLY OVER A RETAIL, HOTEL, OR HOSPITAL CAR PARK:

Always complain to the Retailer very quickly. This is 'Plan A' :

Successful complaints about private parking tickets - how to get them cancelled! <<< CLICK

It can be easy and quick to get these cancelled by a landowner. If the charge was at a Hospital then immediately complain to PALS (Google it and find their local contact).

MothballsWallet

@scan718 You definitely ignore the debt collectors letters, but that's not what Plan A entails.

Basically, it's making a complaint to the shop and to the landowner, the NEWBIES thread will explain more on how you can go about doing that.