IMPORTANT: Please make sure your posts do not contain any personally identifiable information (both your own and that of others). When uploading images, please take care that you have redacted all personal information including number plates, reference numbers and QR codes (which may reveal vehicle information when scanned).
We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Apcoa Parking Ticket

Hello. 
I recently dropped off my daughter at a railway station (I didn't buy a parking ticket) and collected her a day later. Apcoa sent a fine to the hire company I had a courtesy car from stating I'd parked overnight. Seemingly, they hadn't clocked me leaving that day or returning the next day. 
I received a letter from them a week or so after just with one date and one time of the alleged contravention. 
If I appeal the fine (on grounds that I was just dropping off) and they say I still have to pay it, can I still pay the reduced amount? 
The second visit, I don't know how long I waited for my daughter. Am I risking 2 fines by appealing? 
Thanks in advance! 
«13

Comments

  • Umkomaas
    Umkomaas Posts: 42,569 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    can I still pay the reduced amount? 
    Follow advice here and you won't be paying APCOA a penny. Is the letter you have addressed to you, or is it the hire company's copy which they've just sent to you and told you to deal with it?  Is it headed up 'Penalty Charge'?
    Please note, we are not a legal advice forum. I personally don't get involved in critiquing court case Defences/Witness Statements, so unable to help on that front. Please don't ask. .

    I provide only my personal opinion, it is not a legal opinion, it is simply a personal one. I am not a lawyer.

    Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

    Private Parking Firms - Killing the High Street
  • bm78
    bm78 Posts: 7 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    I hope this is the right way to reply to you @Umkomaas. I have been sent my own latter from Apcoa as the hire company gave them my details. 
  • bm78
    bm78 Posts: 7 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    I should spellchecker! Sorry, 'letter'.
  • Umkomaas
    Umkomaas Posts: 42,569 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    bm78 said:
    I hope this is the right way to reply to you @Umkomaas. I have been sent my own latter from Apcoa as the hire company gave them my details. 
    Yep, that's fine. Penalty Charge or Parking Charge?  Please check carefully. 
    Please note, we are not a legal advice forum. I personally don't get involved in critiquing court case Defences/Witness Statements, so unable to help on that front. Please don't ask. .

    I provide only my personal opinion, it is not a legal opinion, it is simply a personal one. I am not a lawyer.

    Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

    Private Parking Firms - Killing the High Street
  • bm78
    bm78 Posts: 7 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    It says 'use of private car park without valid payment/permit'.
  • Umkomaas
    Umkomaas Posts: 42,569 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Thanks. Easy peasy, just send them this and receive a cancellation soon afterwards. 

    'Dear APCOA

    As your Parking Charge Notice does not comply with the requirements of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Schedule 4), you are, in law, unable to hold the hirer of the vehicle liable for the parking charge; I suggest therefore you contact the driver. As there is no legal requirement placed on the hirer to identify the driver, I will not be doing so.

    Yours faithfully'

    Please note, we are not a legal advice forum. I personally don't get involved in critiquing court case Defences/Witness Statements, so unable to help on that front. Please don't ask. .

    I provide only my personal opinion, it is not a legal opinion, it is simply a personal one. I am not a lawyer.

    Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

    Private Parking Firms - Killing the High Street
  • bm78
    bm78 Posts: 7 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    Sorry for the confusion. I was the driver of the car. After the hire company contacted me, Apcoa sent me the parking charge notice. 
  • KeithP
    KeithP Posts: 40,940 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    But APCOA don't know who was driving, do they?

    Just follow the guidance offered by @Umkomaas and this will all be over within a few days.
  • Umkomaas
    Umkomaas Posts: 42,569 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    bm78 said:
    Sorry for the confusion. I was the driver of the car. After the hire company contacted me, Apcoa sent me the parking charge notice. 
    How is the parking charge headed - Notice to Hirer, or Notice to Keeper?  You never admit to driving in private parking charge cases, especially at the initial stage. Don't overthink this, please follow our advice. 
    Please note, we are not a legal advice forum. I personally don't get involved in critiquing court case Defences/Witness Statements, so unable to help on that front. Please don't ask. .

    I provide only my personal opinion, it is not a legal opinion, it is simply a personal one. I am not a lawyer.

    Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

    Private Parking Firms - Killing the High Street
  • B789
    B789 Posts: 3,441 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    @bm78, in civil law, the "driver" and the "keeper"/"hirer" are two separate entities. You are appealing as the "hirer". APCOA has no idea who the "driver" is.

    Because this was on railway land, they cannot transfer liability from the "driver" to the "hirer". So, if you send the appeal, exactly as shown, and don't tick any boxes or blab about who the driver was, you will see this scam, speculative invoice for an alleged breach of contract (there is no "fine") disappear.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.