UKPC parking charge

cheesecake247

Received a parking charge from UKPC for outstaying time limit in a retail park due to a flat tyre. I appealed immediately explaining that car breakdown company took a while to arrive and then fixed car. I left as soon as I could. 

Heard nothing from UKPC then got letter from debt recovery asking for £170. They told me UKPC had previously emailed me asking for more evidence. I didn’t receive anything from them (checked inbox and junk). I then sent the evidence anyway to both UKPC and the debt recovery company and they told me the appeals timeframe has expired so pay up. 

What should I do? 

Xevious_2

How did you appeal?  Was it by sending an email or submitting a form on their website?

cheesecake247

I initially appealed on their website. Then when I received the debt recovery letter I sent a letter to their address with the evidence of the breakdown report. 

Gr1pr

Ignore them until or unless they issue a Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  or a court claim 

Meanwhile try plan A in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad,  which should have been done at the time, but its never too late 

Complain about it to the retail park management company or landlord or landowner ASAP,  try to get it cancelled 

Coupon-mad

cheesecake247 said:

I initially appealed on their website. Then when I received the debt recovery letter I sent a letter to their address with the evidence of the breakdown report. 

Then make a complaint (see UKPC's complaints policy page) then complain again to the BPA AOS complaints team, after UKPC reply.

cheesecake247

Coupon-mad said:

cheesecake247 said:

I initially appealed on their website. Then when I received the debt recovery letter I sent a letter to their address with the evidence of the breakdown report. 

Then make a complaint (see UKPC's complaints policy page) then complain again to the BPA AOS complaints team, after UKPC reply.

Thanks. Is it also worth doing the POPLA appeal form?

Gr1pr

cheesecake247 said:

Coupon-mad said:

cheesecake247 said:

I initially appealed on their website. Then when I received the debt recovery letter I sent a letter to their address with the evidence of the breakdown report. 

Then make a complaint (see UKPC's complaints policy page) then complain again to the BPA AOS complaints team, after UKPC reply.

Thanks. Is it also worth doing the POPLA appeal form?

No, because you cannot appeal to popla without a valid 10 digit popla code issued by the private parking company 

You haven't got one, so cannot get off first base

That is why you do the complaints mentioned by coupon mad above 

cheesecake247

Gr1pr said:

cheesecake247 said:

Coupon-mad said:

cheesecake247 said:

I initially appealed on their website. Then when I received the debt recovery letter I sent a letter to their address with the evidence of the breakdown report. 

Then make a complaint (see UKPC's complaints policy page) then complain again to the BPA AOS complaints team, after UKPC reply.

Thanks. Is it also worth doing the POPLA appeal form?

No, because you cannot appeal to popla without a valid 10 digit popla code issued by the private parking company 

You haven't got one, so cannot get off first base

That is why you do the complaints mentioned by coupon mad above 

Thank you. Will follow the advice. Appreciate it guys. 

Coupon-mad

cheesecake247 said:

I initially appealed on their website. Then when I received the debt recovery letter I sent a letter to their address with the evidence of the breakdown report. 

And it was ignored. Please help us fight back:

Please do the government's Public Consultation. We need every poster to come back & complete this vital Consultation before the deadline.

See this thread: -

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617396/parking-code-of-practice-consultation-8-weeks-from-11th-july-2025/p1

We understand that you may need some pointers. It looks laborious, we get that. It doesn't matter; no knowledge is needed except re your own experiences so you can call out a scam industry and you'll protect millions of motorists and help change the law.

I've written some guidance on that thread. I have covered almost every question, providing ideas if you agree with our stance on things like DRFs, which we say must be banned.

Ordinary people like you are falling victim to this scam 15 million times per annum. Motorists need your voice added please.

You can point to your own evidence that DRAs ignore valid disputes and just demand money.

James_Poisson

Annex F of the joint COP states:

F.3 Appeals where the charge should be reduced to £20 for a period of
14 days

In considering appeals parking operators must recognise the below case types as
mitigating circumstances warranting a reduction in the amount of the parking charge to
£20 for 14 days, subject to appropriate evidence being provided. This reduction applies
only for the first parking charge issued to the vehicle for the specific contravention, where
payment is made within 14 days and where no independent appeal is lodged.

c) where the vehicle has broken down;

Note: This may not be applicable where the vehicle was not parking in accordance with
terms and conditions. It is more appropriate where the terms and conditions were initially
complied with but there was an overstay.

It would appear that this applies, but as usual the scammers at UKPC put greed above anything and don't want to comply.

I am sure it will be the usual threats court claim and back down.

cheesecake247

Coupon-mad said:

cheesecake247 said:

I initially appealed on their website. Then when I received the debt recovery letter I sent a letter to their address with the evidence of the breakdown report. 

Then make a complaint (see UKPC's complaints policy page) then complain again to the BPA AOS complaints team, after UKPC reply.

Update: I received a vague response from UKPC saying nothing other than the appeals time had expired. I have just also received a letter from GCTT Enforcement (same company as UKPC I believe) called - notice of transfer to solicitors threatening legal action of if I don’t respond within 14 days. And that costs will go up if they refer to the solicitors. 

I assume I need to complain now to BPA? Can UKPC increase the costs by instructing a solicitor? Any advice gratefully received. 

Thank you.