Private Parking Charge, Glasgow.

beardog

Hi there,

I live in Scotland, first time poster - just received a bailiff letter ( the company based in Scotland) acting on behalf of London-based parking enforcement company for a fine relating to my car being parked in a Glasgow shopping mall car park for a little over 3 hours.

I received both reminder letters late and this current bailiff's letter was issued seven days from when it dropped through my letterbox this afternoon.

The bailiffs advise that I have 14 days to pay the now elevated amount (£125 compared to the original £40 charge issued). I have not been in touch with either the parking enforcement company or the bailiffs.

Wondering if anyone has any experience in this - my understanding is that the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, (which has reference to vehicle keepers being responsible for unpaid car parking charges) has not yet been fully implemented.

I accept no admission of being the driver at the time of the 'offence' and will not inform the parking enforcement company or bailiffs who might have been driving. I believe if this were to go to court I would have a good defence that not only is the charge unreasonable (not clearly defined as being the supermarket's car park as opposed to the shopping mall's), that the letters arrived late thus not allowing me the chance to appeal in a timely manner - plus I'm unsure in any case if I am actually liable at all as they haven't proven or suggested that I was driving - only contesting that I am the registered keeper.

Also, as a bit of context I have never had any sort of PCN or other parking charge issued to me in Scotland.

Any advice and/or experience much appreciated.

Le_Kirk

This is from the NEWBIE sticky: -

Q- ''I'm in Scotland/NI, so is the advice different?''

YES. IF THE EVENT TOOK PLACE IN SCOTLAND OR NORTHERN IRELAND WE SUGGEST YOU DO (ALWAYS!) COMPLAIN TO STORE MANAGEMENT IF YOUR PCN IS FROM A RETAIL PARK, AND SEND THE USUAL TEMPLATE APPEAL FOR YOUR CASE, NOT SAYING WHO WAS DRIVING. HOWEVER, DO NOT TRY POPLA BECAUSE POPLA (IN A CASE THAT TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE ENGLAND/WALE) WILL REQUIRE YOU TO STATE IF YOU WERE DRIVING OR NOT, AND THAT IS THE ONE THING NOT TO DISCLOSE.

James_Poisson

As above also you do not have a "bailiffs letter" it will be a bottom feeding silly debt collector that is powerless.

Iceweasel

Which 'pretend bailiff' sent you a misleading deceptive letter?

On behalf of whom did they write?

beardog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81928533#Comment_81928533

Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd. headed 'NOTICE OF DEBT RECOVERY' - but at the foot of the letter it states 'This case is not subject to high court or bailiff action'.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81928461#Comment_81928461

Gr1pr

See Post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements for powerless debt collectors letters

Coupon-mad

I live in Scotland

Then you can ignore private parking charges at present. Forget it. DO NOT RESPOND.

Wondering if anyone has any experience in this - my understanding is that the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, (which has reference to vehicle keepers being responsible for unpaid car parking charges) has not yet been fully implemented. 

Correct - but it is coming. The law on keeper liability is changing in a year or so, if the UK Government finally sort out the Code of Practice. Obviously not retrospective.

Be careful in future as they may end up less easy to ignore.