Parking permit

catprofit

My parents live in an area where they pay for a residents parking permit. Visitors and residents are £30 each. They tend to buy 2 as they often get visitors.
They are due to renew the permit but are also due to move house within the next 3 months. So they need to renew the permit.
When they move they have to return the permit.
I have spoken to the parking department regarding a refund for the unused 9 months when the permit is returned.
They told me that there will be no refund when it is returned. I told them that I have been told I have to return it as they won't be living on that street and why can't I have a refund for something I have to return as I can be prosecuted if I don't return it. I was told no refund that is the policy.
This seems really unfair.
Any suggestions would be welcome

Fruitcake

Is this a council, or a private parking arrangement? My guess would be the former.

We normally deal with helping people who have received unfair parking charges from unregulated private companies on this forum, but I think it will come down to the terms and conditions in the parking/permit agreement that your parents presumably signed up for when they first moved to the property.

Coupon-mad

Council or private residential car park?

catprofit

Coupon-mad said:

Council or private residential car park?

This is a council run scheme

catprofit

Fruitcake said:

Is this a council, or a private parking arrangement? My guess would be the former.

We normally deal with helping people who have received unfair parking charges from unregulated private companies on this forum, but I think it will come down to the terms and conditions in the parking/permit agreement that your parents presumably signed up for when they first moved to the property.

This is a council run scheme. When my parents moved into their home permit parking was not in place.
It was introduced later. The terms and conditions state the permit must be handed back if they move but there is nothing about refunds.
I have received an one line email today from the council saying no refunds will be given.

Umkomaas

Get your parents' local Councillor involved. 

Fruitcake

Does the permit have a house number or person's name or address on it? If not, it might be possible to sell it to someone else for a reduced amount. 

catprofit

Fruitcake said:

Does the permit have a house number or person's name or address on it? If not, it might be possible to sell it to someone else for a reduced amount. 

The residents permit has the car registration number on it and the visitors permit has the house number and address on. It's all tied in with the council tax that you have to give proof of on application.  The council also say it's non transferable.  I can't see a way round it.
I feel that this is a scam for the council to raise money. It's really bad in this present climate with energy, fuel costs and all cost of living prices on the increase. You would think that the council would try to help people rather than take money at any opportunity.
The new owners of the house will have to pay for the full year permit also. 
To me there is a flaw in the system 

catprofit

Umkomaas said:

Get your parents' local Councillor involved. 

I think I will give her a try but I never hear anything about her or what she has done.
Anyway if I don't try nothing will happen so I will contact her