Invalid Permit in CPM managed car park

JL787

Hi all, I'm new here. Glad to see all the experience sharing and support for dealing with unfair parking charges.

I've read the newbie post but only after I sent the first appeal to CPM portal, then tried to dig more information from the web and found this forum. I would like to get your opinion on what to do next whilst I'm waiting for the decision of the appeal. Here is my case:

I'm a leaseholder of the property. The car park is managed by CPM. Some of the flats including mine are allowed to park in a designated parking space with the same number as the door number. CPM T&C state 'a valid CPM permit must be clearly displayed in the front windscreen at all times'. I purchased the property a few years ago and got the parking permit from the previous owner as part of the transfer. I have been using the permit since then and had no issues before I received the parking charge notice with the reason of 'Invalid Permit'. No explanation is given. I cannot find any criteria from CPM website for a 'Valid Permit'. There is also no communication from the landlord or property management regarding valid permit or a need to replace the permit.

My permit, which was given by the previous owner, was issued over 10 years ago. I have no way to verify but I genuinely believe it is legit. My permit should have all the details required, the parking "P" mark at the top left corner, the location (my property and bay number), issued date and CPM company name (UK Car Park Management Limited). I have compared my permit with the new ones on other cars, except the color and the permit description other info is basically the same and consistent. The permit description in the newer ones is showing 'Resident Permit', whilst my permit is showing 'Parking Permit', and of course the issue dates are different. All the permits, my old one or the new ones, have no expiry date but only an issued date.

I noticed the newer permits have a sentence at the bottom saying something like permit is invalid if copied or text unreadable/faded. My permit as it is old surely has a certain degree of fading at the printed text but I'm sure it is fully readable. Even the photo taken by CPM clearly shows all the text on the permit. I believe a subjective feeling of 'faded' should not be used as a criterion to invalidate a permit?

As I put the permit at the bottom corner of the windscreen, the bottom part of 'MANAGEMENT LIMITED' is partly obscured. But again, I think all the words are fully readable by a sane adult. If CPM thought my permit was not displayed properly, they should not use 'Invalid Permit'?

I have no idea why the permit that has been used for all the time since I moved here and passed numerous CPM patrol and suddenly became 'Invalid'.

I submitted my appeal on CPM portal, basically included the points above that I have been using the permit for years, all the information is readable, there is no expiry date on the permit and I received no instruction to replace the permit.

I tried to get the lease of my property to understand my right, but I could not get it from the gov Search for land and property information portal. The summary of title provide no such information. My solicitor firm ignored my request, and my mortgage provider rejected my request. I'm asking the Property Management Company to provide a copy of the lease and the estate rules in the carpark, but haven't received any update yet. Later I found out I can get a copy from the landlord paying overing 50 quid that I'm trying to avoid at the moment.

I haven't requested the Property Manager to intervene yet, but is it a good move next?

Could you share your opinion on what should I do next or experience regarding what means 'Invalid Permit'?

Thanks all in advance.

Coupon-mad

I would wait for UKCPM to reject it then try IAS on the same basis 'my permit isn't invalid' (because it clearly isn't!).

Now, the IAS is a kangaroo court where 95% of consumers lose so do 't hold your breath but we'd love to see UKCPM's explanation and the IAS' bent drivel 'decision'!

You will NEVER pay this invoice (IAS appeals aren't binding on you) but I would do both appeals, to flush out UKCPM's reasoning. I'd say you need this, otherwise you'll get more mystery PCNs.

None of which will you ever pay.

Car1980

In the meantime, what does it say in your lease?

You're probably under no legal obligation to cooperate with these chancers and have no need to live under a Sword of Damocles where any slips will cost you £100.

JL787

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999979#Comment_81999979

I'm trying to find out. Paid in the gov portal but got nothing, then got rejected by the solicitor and mortgage provider.

I'm hoping to hear back from the property management company, though I'm not optimistic they will. Then I'll need to buy it from the landlord.

I'll provide an update on this next week.

JL787

I just recevied another Parking Charge Notice with the same reason Invalid Permit. The new one is issued 6 days after the first one and the same day I received the first notice.

Coupon-mad

As I predicted:

"I'd say you need this, otherwise you'll get more mystery PCNs."

You will get one every day or so, now.

Ask your managing agents what the flip is going on and how dare they let their agent do this to a resident of many years standing!

JL787

Finally, I dug out the lease from my mailbox after stupidly paying the OC2 request. This is what my lease says.

It looks like I have exclusive right to use my space without the need of permit.

There's still no response from the property management company and result from the appeal.

I'm now considering the send a formal complaint to the property management company.

Screenshot 2026-05-21 131330.jpg

Car1980

Perfect.

You now need to inform the parking company that they have no rights over the space, that you are under no obligation to display permission to a third party that you have permission to use the space you have rights over, that they are incapable of forming any contract with you, that you withdraw from the scheme (notwithstanding you never agreed in the first place) and that you now withdraw any implied access to the land marked in mauve on the map.

1505grandad

FYI - even the latest unregulated ppssCoP (soon to be replaced by a proper regulated PPCoP by the Government) recognise/acknowledge this scam:-

https://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/AOS/Sector%20Code%20Templates/sectorsingleCodeofPracticeVersion1.1130225.pdf

14

Relationship with landowner

NOTE 3: Particular care is needed to establish appropriate contractual terms, including the application of parking terms and conditions, in respect of controlled land where leaseholders may have rights that cannot be qualified or overruled e.g. by imposing a requirement on the resident of an apartment block to display a permit to park in contravention of their rights under their lease, or to ensure that free parking periods do not breach planning consents.

JL787

Thanks both. Just sent a formal complaint to the management company and ask them to instruct CPM to cancel the ticket and also add my space to a whitelist to prevent any further unlawful tickets.

Car1980

But surely the whitelist would apply to every single space?

And that is tacitly accepting and opting into the scheme.