Smart Parking & IPC misspelled date on appeal rejection

the4amfriend

So I got a ticket back in December 2023 from Smart Parking and I raised an appeal. Never got a reply but got a debt collector notice in April 2025. I registered a complaint with Smart Parking - asking why I never got a reply for my appeal and I was told that I was sent an email and they provided screenshots. I followed the process many of you here have documented - asking for email with headers unredacted to which I was told that they are not obligated to share that and whatever they've provided was evidence enough. I raised a complaint with IPC who've now sided with them. 

And I took one good look at the IPC website and realise they must be in cahoots with all the private parking providers. I looked at the screenshots sent to me - their system says that the last email sent to me was on the 10th of Jan 2024 and their complaint response mentions the same but a screenshot of the letter shows that it was dated 10th of Jan 2025. But I've exhausted all my complaint options and I keep getting debt recovery letters. 

Would appreciate any advice. 

Umkomaas

Remove the 'f'-word from the thread title.  The IPC sniff around this forum and might face you up on the accusation

If you're only getting debt collector letters, they can be ignored. Come bacK on this thread if you receive a Letter Of/Before Claim, or a County Court claim from the Northampton CNBC.

the4amfriend

I also forgot to mention an important detail - In my appeal (unfortunately I was not well informed back then), I mentioned that I was parked longer because of extenuating circumstances - I had a sick one year old kid who was I tending to and asked for the ticket to be waived - as the fine was raised for parking for 82 minutes but I had only bought a ticket for 60 minutes. So I'm not sure what I should do in this scenario?

Umkomaas

the4amfriend said:

I also forgot to mention an important detail - In my appeal (unfortunately I was not well informed back then), I mentioned that I was parked longer because of extenuating circumstances - I had a sick one year old kid who was I tending to and asked for the ticket to be waived - as the fine was raised for parking for 82 minutes but I had only bought a ticket for 60 minutes. So I'm not sure what I should do in this scenario?

It was never going to be a reason for them to cancel. Cancellations mean no income for them, they don't do them!  Build it in to your Defence if it gets that far, but it won't be a strong point, there are other more powerful ones like signage, landowner authorities, Code of Practice compliance - all tangible evidence, but for 'a sick one year old' you're not likely to have hard evidence ... or do you?

fisherjim

"In my appeal (unfortunately I was not well informed back then)"

You need to do even more research these are not "fines"

Car1980

 also forgot to mention an important detail - In my appeal (unfortunately I was not well informed back then), I mentioned that I was parked longer because of extenuating circumstances - I had a sick one year old kid who was I tending to and asked for the ticket to be waived - as the fine was raised for parking for 82 minutes but I had only bought a ticket for 60 minutes. So I'm not sure what I should do in this scenario?

Extenuating or mitigating circumstances are irrelevant.

But this is contract law, so you need to think in those terms. Google "frustration of contract".

Either way, expect an eventual court claim from DCB Legal. Don't worry though - defend and it'll result in an eventual discontinuation.

Even Google AI has cottoned on to their discontinuations now...

the4amfriend

Appreciate all your responses. Unfortunately, I'm unable to edit the post title now - not sure how to go about this. And you're right, I don't have any evidence for my kid being sick, so understand that I might not have a leg to stand on with that reason. 

What about the letter dated 2025 when their reply states that it was 2024? Doesn't that count as misleading? Is there anything I can do about that?

Umkomaas

You can't do anything at all at this stage with SP or whoever the Debt Collectors are, just wait to see if it results in a claim. 

You could however complain about the issue to your MP and contact the landowner and lodge a complaint with them. All explained in the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement.

In terms of amending the thread title - hit the red Report button (showing on every post) and ask a forum admin team member to adjust it for you. 

Gr1pr

There are 2 incorrect f words,  FINE being one of them , Smart Parking issue invoices,  like the other private parking companies , but not as serious as that F word in the title  ( be very careful about what you publish online in future )

You will get edit functions when you make a few more posts, your status will change from Newbie to Forumite, so look out for that change in status

The IPC have had an interesting relationship with their members for a decade or more,  it's a trade body, not an authority 

Smart Parking recently swapped from the BPA AOS members list to the IPC,  so your pcns could have been under BPA oversight,  but are now stuck in limbo 

Nothing to be done at the moment,  not until a Letter of Claim followed by a possible court claim 

fisherjim

the4amfriend said:

Appreciate all your responses. Unfortunately, I'm unable to edit the post title now - not sure how to go about this. And you're right, I don't have any evidence for my kid being sick, so understand that I might not have a leg to stand on with that reason. 

What about the letter dated 2025 when their reply states that it was 2024? Doesn't that count as misleading? Is there anything I can do about that?

I have reported it for you

the4amfriend

Thank you, all. I've now edited the title. I've realised since posting that I'm only just learning the many facets of parking charge notices. Appreciate all the help. 

I've been reading the Newbies thread and I'm trying to find the owner (to complain) of 'Strothers Lane Car park, Inverness' but I can't. I've tried the council website and Land registery, so I'm obviously doing something wrong. Can someone please help?