Paid parking for a different day (next) than parked - now being chased by Debt Recovery

mail2kcm · 10 July at 2:34PM

** Creating new thread as per Mods request ***

Hi @Coupon-mad, I have read through the forums but my situation is slightly different.

On 6th March, I parked at Farnborough's Horizon Parking to catch up with my ex-colleagues. The option to pay was through an app but due to signal issues, I could not download the app. However the parking notice said I could pay within 24 hours so I thought of paying later. After the food at the pub, I wasn't feeling very well the next day so I slept and only on the 25th hour realised I had not paid so I immediately paid but could only pay for the current day (the next day of parking) which I did.

I immediately emailed horizon explaining the situation and requested them to consider my next days parking for my actual parking the previous day but they said since it has been 24hours since the parking, they cannot help.

I later promptly received a parking ticket from them which I appealed stating that I had issues owing to which I could not pay and that I had paid for the next day.

After a week or so they seem to have replied that my appeal has been rejected BUT that email went into my spam folder and I did not know!

After a few months, I received Debt Recovery Letter (Again I seem to have not checked their previous letters!) which states that this is my 4th letter and that if I dont pay within next week, I will be taken to the court.

I once again reached out to Horizon trying to explain that I had paid for the wrong day but they said their appeal response did have an option for me to pay £15 and close the case and since I did not respond within 14 days of their response they had to go to Debt Recovery process. I tried explaining that I did not receive their email but they said they cannot help!

What are my options now? Having sent them email, I cannot claim that I wasn't driving since I admitted I parked but only paid late!

Is there a chance for me to get away from Debt Recovery? I have an upcoming mortgage application and do not want any negative records on my credit history!

You expertise and suggestion is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Regards
mail2kcm