Received both TPS & UKPC parking fines

tinalee1

Hi guys, I'll admit I have made a couple of mistakes but wondered if I really have to pay these fines. So here is my predicament, I moved house about 6 months ago and changed my details on my drivers licence but didn't realise I had to change it with the DVLA too. My mum died 3 months ago - she had previously held onto my mail until I came and collected it, but for obvious reasons I haven't been able to do that, and I've been so swept up it didn't cross my mind. The new occupant of her house has just forwarded a handful of letters, all parking-related. Here are the gist of both of them...

1. Two letter from TPS, stating that I overstayed and underpaid at a hotel carpark in York by 30 minutes, which is true. An accident that I overlooked at the time. However the charge is for £60 which seems quite steep to me, and I don't know how they can justify that cost. This was sent on 02/04/2024. They've since sent a second letter on 01/05/2024, explaining how it was now £120 and that I have until 15/05/2024 to respond. I've missed both of these accidentally because I didn't have access to my mum's old property and didn't realise the mail was going there. So I assume they'll be sending a third letter... (I have now updated my DVLA details).

2. Two letters from UKPC, one on 09/04/2024 for £50, then another 'FINAL REMINDER' on 23/04/2024 for £100. I parked in McDonalds carpark with my friend after purchasing a takeout together, and we sat and chatted in the car for 2 hours 10 minutes while eating our purchases, whereas the letter says the maximum stay time is 1 hour 30 minutes, which I didn't realise. We were legitimate customers, so I didn't think it'd be a problem. I have since received a lettert from ZZPS debt collection on behalf of UKPC who are now seeking £170.

Any thoughts on how to tackle this? I only received and read these letters yesterday, I haven't responded to either company yet. Thank you all for r

Gr1pr

They are not fines, definitely not, they are parking charge notices, it will mention this on the paperwork 

For the TPS ones, your best option is to get the hotel to cancel them ASAP, known as plan A 

Same advice for the UKPC ones, plan A, get McDonald's to cancel them due to being a valid customer 

tinalee1

Gr1pr said:

They are not fines, definitely not, they are parking charge notices, it will mention this on the paperwork 

For the TPS ones, your best option is to get the hotel to cancel them ASAP, known as plan A 

Same advice for the UKPC ones, plan A, get McDonald's to cancel them due to being a valid customer 

Oh I didn't realise there was a difference, my bad. I'll try these, thank you.

LDast

The Newbies/FAQ thread explains in great detail the steps you should be taking and why they are not "fines" but speculative invoices from unregulated private parking companies.

An ex-clamper thug has set up an unregulated private parking company and has sent you an invoice in the hope your are low-hanging fruit on the gullible tree and will pay into their scam by either falling for the bribe discount or later on when the charge is increased by fake add on charges. Do you just pay or do you fight it?

Coupon-mad

If Plan A fails, reply to both and point out clause 23 something of the BPA Code of Practice (the one about pausing debt recovery where the PCN went to an address where you weren't living).

tinalee1

Coupon-mad said:

If Plan A fails, reply to both and point out clause 23 something of the BPA Code of Practice (the one about pausing debt recovery where the PCN went to an address where you weren't living).

Thank you! It worked for the York hotel, but not for McDonalds. Would you recommend I get in touch with UKPC who sent the PCN or ZZPS who sent the debt collection notice? Thanks again for your help.

Coupon-mad

Both. They are meant to comply with the CoP.