Fake fines from Link Parking – agency never gave me permit, now debt collectors after me"

Steve996688

URGENT HELP! Legitimate tenant fined by Link Parking because agency didn't provide permit – now being chased by debt collectors!

Hi everyone, I'm in desperate need of your experience and advice.

I'm a tenant renting a flat in Cardiff with a valid tenancy agreement. The building has a car park, and parking is included in my tenancy.

The issue is this: The letting agency (who also manages the property) hired Link Parking Ltd to manage the car park. We've lived here for over two years, but the agency never provided me with a valid parking permit. Link Parking also never wrote to me or informed me how to apply for one. I simply continued parking in my allocated bay.

Out of the blue, I started receiving Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) from Link Parking for "unauthorised parking." I tried contacting the agency, but they just passed the buck. Now, after several rounds of demands, the "fine" has been passed to a debt collection agency, who keep sending me letters and emails threatening to ruin my credit record. I'm really stressed and anxious.

I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions on what to do next.

Thank you!

Gr1pr

Do nothing for now, ignore them

Come back to this thread if or when you receive a Letter of Claim or a Money Claim

DE_612183

check your tenancy agreement about what it says about parking - I bet it says nothing about permits - in which case their rules cannot over-ride your legal agreement.

Steve996688

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902369#Comment_81902369

Their company has hired a collection agency to pursue the debt with me. Now

Steve996688

We have rented this property for over two years. The property management company and Link Parking Ltd joined the arrangement later. The management company verbally mentioned that this company would be involved, but they did not provide us with a valid parking permit.

Gr1pr

So what. ?

Ignore the powerless debt collectors letters, study post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad ( no need to be worried by debt recovery companies, they cannot do anything. )

Do not pay

kryten3000

Debt recovery firms have no powers to enforce parking charge "debts" because they are not real debts (unless a judge says otherwise) and because the contract that parking companies use to get keeper details from the DVLA forbids the selling on of unpaid charges. You can safely ignore.

As others have said, wait for a letter of claim.

Steve996688

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902891#Comment_81902891

Thank you very much for your advice. I will go and review the suggestions. This matter has been affecting my sleep, and I feel really frustrated.

Jame4ters

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902882#Comment_81902882

Still follow the advice to ignore until you receive a Letter of Claim or a Money Claim. The collection agency may write to you but that’s all they can do. Do not pay them.

Steve996688

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902897#Comment_81902897

Thank you very much for your advice. I will go and review the suggestions.

Steve996688

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902369#Comment_81902369

Thank you very much for your advice