Parking advice

CreativeIndustry

Hi all,

I would be grateful for some advice on a private parking charge I have recently received.

I signed up to a new gym and have been parking there while attending. At no point was I told by the gym that I could register my car on their system so that I would not need to obtain a parking permit each time.

Because of that, each time I parked, I used the on-screen tablet at the gym to enter my details and obtain what I believed was the required parking permit.

I have now received a Parking Charge Notice from CE Service / Civil Enforcement alleging that I did not have a valid permit. They are asking for £60, reduced if paid within 14 days of the issue date.

A couple of points I would like advice on:

1. If I was using the gym’s tablet each time to register for parking, what grounds might I have to challenge the charge?
2. The letter arrived 7 days after the issue date shown on it. Does that delay matter legally or procedurally in any way?
3. Should my first step be to complain to the gym and ask them to have the charge cancelled?
4. Can the gym usually intervene in situations like this, even if the parking company has already issued the notice?
5. I do not know who the landowner is. What is the best way to find that out, and is that worth doing at this stage?

At the moment I am trying to work out the most practical next steps before appealing or responding. I want to keep everything factual and deal with it properly.

I can provide more detail from the notice if needed, but I wanted to ask first what the usual approach would be in a case like this.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Gr1pr

1. Genuine customer
2. Probably not
3. Definitely, Asap
4. Yes
5. Read the following advice below

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6654678/how-to-find-out-who-owns-land

CreativeIndustry

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970361#Comment_81970361

Thanks, I have had a read of the newbies thread, too, and will read the above now.

Should I appeal to the gym owner first, and then appeal with PCN issuer later?

Car1980

There is no genuine appeals process available with Civil Enforcement and the IAS.

Ignore them for the time being.

Gr1pr

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970396#Comment_81970396

Correct

As the other post says, appealing to CEL could be futile, but as BPA AOS members there is the possibility of popla, but plan A is always the best option in these cases

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970409#Comment_81970409

Could try POPLA, nothing to lose.

CreativeIndustry

I reached out to the gym, and they have cancelled the PCN.

Should I do anything with CE to confirm this? e.g. check on their website as confirmation?

Gr1pr

I would put a popla appeal in, including the statement that the business has requested that the pcn was issued in error and should be cancelled

That should wake CEL up and obtain official closure

And

Keep checking the status on CEL website

So, belt And braces

CreativeIndustry

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81973355#Comment_81973355

Thank you.

Can I appeal directly to POPLA, or do I need to appeal to CE first? The back of CE’s letter states that POPLA will not consider appeals that have not first been made to CE.

From the letter:

Appeals

You can appeal within 28 days of the date of this Notice and in writing only at www.ce-service.co.uk. You must include all relevant supporting evidence to assist with your case. If your appeal to us is unsuccessful we will send you the contact details and unique reference code for Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) which, if you wish, will determine your appeal independently. Please note that if the parking incident occurred in Scotland or Northern Ireland it is only the driver who may appeal to POPLA.

If you use the POPLA service, and your appeal is unsuccessful, the full Parking Charge will apply and you will no longer be able to pay at the reduced rate. If you appeal within 28 days and it is rejected, the right to pay at the rate when the appeal was made will apply for a further 14 days from the date notified of the rejection, unless you appeal to POPLA in that time. Please be advised that POPLA will not consider appeals that have not been sent to us first.

Gr1pr

You appeal to CEL first, stating that the business or landlord or landowner has requested a cancellation

CreativeIndustry

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81973381#Comment_81973381

Thanks, I just logged on to their and it now displays the ticket as cancelled :)

Can I leave it as is, or should I still appeal?

Snip from the site: