Napier Parking Charges after permit lapse

Jiman

Hi All,

I have what I think is a slightly more unique situation with Napier parking, and could do with some advice.

I have to pay a ridiculous amount to get a parking permit from Napier for the residential area I live on. There is an option to get a renewal reminder email from Napier at a certain date and time before the permit runs out. When I last renewed, I selected that option to be reminded, and the permit ran out on 25/05. Unfortunately, no reminder came through and I continued about my life as usual, entirely unaware of the lapse (yes I should have set my own private reminder, I have now done so for next year). 

I have now received a PCN for the 27th (and I assume more are ominously crawling through the postage system as I type), and was wondering what the best course of action would be.

I do not believe I am entirely at fault, as Napier did not remind me as I requested on their online form, and I would have paid for the permit immediately, as I have now done. And I would also find it extremely unfair to receive more than one PCN during the time it took for the first PCN to notify me of the permit lapse and the time it takes Napier to review and approve the new permit. I very much would rather not be several hundred pounds out of pocket.

I have no intent to pay the fine(s), and would be willing to take it as far as the courtroom. 

Coupon-mad

You aren't going to be out of pocket, as you won't be paying. These are not fines.  Indeed it might have to be resolved in court.

Write back (online or by email) with two separate things:

- an appeal, saying a permit was displayed and they failed to send any reminder, so they broke their own contractual promise. and have no legitimate interest to pursue you for breach because this was not prominently brought to your attention, as required by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

- a complaint, saying they failed to keep their side of the bargain and sent no permit reminder, which is not only unprofessional but unfair as it caused the PCN.

(are you sure it's not in your junk emails)?

The reason for the second similarish submission - but emailed as per their complaints system not in the 'appeals' portal - is that you could then get your MP to later add weight to your complaint and lean on the landowner.

In fact copy into the complaint email, the landowner/agent who is responsible for this onerous scheme, AND your MP, and draw the cc's to Napier's attention in the first words of the complaint.

Le_Kirk

Jiman said:

I have what I think is a slightly more unique situation with Napier parking, and could do with some advice.

You cannot qualify or quantify uniqueness, it's either unique or it's not!  Having said that I see you have had good advice from @Coupon-mad