McDonald’s “parking charge” from metparking (McDonalds notice to keeper NTK met parking services)

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

Haven’t seen one on McDonalds and Met Parking since 2021 so thought I’d make one. Received a Notice To Keeper (NTK) recently for something over a month ago. Looking for advice on how this might go with metparking. We went to McDonald’s to speak to the manager and they said they’d ask but didn’t have control over it. 

So I am appealing today. I used the blue text template from the newbies thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822/newbies-private-parking-ticket-old-or-new-read-these-faqs-first-thankyou

And added a bit at the top in red about POFA 2012, about the NTK arriving in excess of the 14 day period. 

I dispute your 'parking charge', as the keeper of the vehicle. I deny any liability or contractual agreement and I will be making a complaint about your predatory conduct to your client landowner.

I am not liable for the charge as per Schedule 4 of POFA 2012 (Protection of Freedoms Act 2012). In paragraph 9 of schedule 4 it states that the relevant notice for giving the “Notice to Keeper” “is the period of 14 days beginning with the day after that on which the specified period of parking ended”. The date of the supposed contravention is 13th December 2025, and the date of issue of the optics is 12th January 2026, which far exceeds the 14 day period. 

There will be no admissions as to who was driving and no assumptions can be drawn. Since your PCN is a vague template, I require an explanation of the allegation and your evidence. You must include a close up actual photograph of the sign you contend was at the location on the material date as well as your images of the vehicle, and photos of signage of the boundary or signs informing entry/exit of the boundary on the date. 

If the allegation concerns a PDT machine, the data supplied in response to this appeal must include the record of payments made - showing partial VRNs - and an explanation of the reason for the PCN, because your Notice does not explain it.

If the allegation involves an alleged overstay of minutes, your evidence must include the actual grace period agreed by the landowner.

Is the above ok, any mistake I might have made as a newbie? I have tried my best with reading the newbie thread and the relevant linked posts, as well as searching myself. Is it likely metparking will leave me alone when they are so obviously not compliant with POFA 2012?

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

Ah I tried to use colours as per this forum post but it didn’t work. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6407872/coloured-text

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

This is the letter - I wasn’t sure what was meany by “golden ticket”, it doesn’t mention POFA 2012, what does that mean?

GrumpyDil

Golden ticket means that as they are not trying to rely on POFA they can only pursue the driver. If they don't know who the driver was and you make it clear you are replying as the owner on any communications they will be unable to pursue this.

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

Thank you @GrumpyDil. Does that mean I shouldn’t mention POFA in my online appeal? Here is what I am planning to put in the online appeal. Mostly the blue template from the newbies thread and an extra paragraph about POFA 14 days being exceeded.

I dispute your 'parking charge', as the keeper of the vehicle. I deny any liability or contractual agreement and I will be making a complaint about your predatory conduct to your client landowner.

I am not liable for the charge as per Schedule 4 of POFA 2012 (Protection of Freedoms Act 2012). In paragraph 9 of schedule 4 it states that the relevant notice for giving the “Notice to Keeper” “is the period of 14 days beginning with the day after that on which the specified period of parking ended”. The date of the supposed contravention is 13th December 2025, and the date of issue of the optics is 12th January 2026, which far exceeds the 14 day period. 

There will be no admissions as to who was driving and no assumptions can be drawn. Since your PCN is a vague template, I require an explanation of the allegation and your evidence. You must include a close up actual photograph of the sign you contend was at the location on the material date as well as your images of the vehicle, and photos of signage of the boundary or signs informing entry/exit of the boundary on the date. 

If the allegation concerns a PDT machine, the data supplied in response to this appeal must include the record of payments made - showing partial VRNs - and an explanation of the reason for the PCN, because your Notice does not explain it.

If the allegation involves an alleged overstay of minutes, your evidence must include the actual grace period agreed by the landowner.

Coupon-mad

I would simply say this in appeal:

I dispute your 'parking charge' invoice as the keeper of the vehicle. I deny any liability or contractual agreement and I have lodged a complaint with McDonalds. 

There will be no admissions as to who was driving and no assumptions can be drawn. 

I am not liable for the charge as per Schedule 4 of POFA 2012 (Protection of Freedoms Act 2012). In paragraph 9 of schedule 4 it states that the relevant notice for giving the “Notice to Keeper” “is the period of 14 days beginning with the day after that on which the specified period of parking ended”. The date of the supposed contravention is 13th December 2025, and the date of issue of the NTK is 12th January 2026, which far exceeds the 14 day period.

Further, the wording of your NTK makes no attempt to hold me liable. You cannot win at POPLA with a non-POFA NTK, so cut your losses, cancel this invoice and move on to weaker victims.

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

Thanks @Coupon-mad! Yeah the wording is crazy isn’t it, “you are now invited to” pay or name the driver. Your last paragraph was the bit I’m unsure about, in the newbies thread it says check their letter is compliant and - other than the 14 days thing - I wasn’t sure about what to compare it to and look for. 

Thank you both you’ve made me feel more confident about sending this. Hopefully they’ll roll over and I can spend my time doing better things. I have spent hours reading the threads here thank you. 

Coupon-mad

There is nothing in that NTK that matches 9(2)f of Schedule 4.

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

Ok just sent will see how it goes 

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

Had a reply today, so really quick. They’re upholding it and “have reached the end of our internal appeals procedure”, and say 1) pay 2) POPLA with a threat that I’ll still have to pay £100 3) they’ll pursue via debt recovery. 

So POPLA it is. Www.popla.co.uk 

EatHealthyAvoidPCNs

Referring back to the newbies thread Post 3 about POPLA https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/64350600/#Comment_64350600 . I am going through Post 3, but some of the links are dead so hoping someone can help me before I submit. Do I still need to submit a long appeal or will the obvious POFA 2012 non-compliance be sufficient? Is mine a “golden ticket”? The imgur link in Post 3 doesn’t work. 

Going to use the POPLA appeal text here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/74575725#Comment_74575725

Adding this about keeper liability as it’s last edited 2018 https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71287626#Comment_71287626

Does anyone know how to complain to McDonalds and ask them to cancel it if the local manager won’t help?