Final reminder for unpaid parking charge

inabitofapickle11

Hi,

Apologies for the possible silly post but i am rather confused!!!

I have had a FINAL REMINDER through the post for a unpaid parking charge for overstaying a free car park. I have previously had a NOTICE OF DEBT RECOVERY but i haven't seen the initial letter from the parking company for the PCN. The parking offence dates back to 2023.

I had read the NEWBIES post when i received the NOTICE OF DEBT RECOVERY. I now know it was at this stage that i should have appealed, but being caught off guard by it all i thought it was too late and that i should just ignore as post 4. Having received the FINAL REMINDER i have re-read the post and understand the process a little more and that it's not too late to appeal, however a little bit of clarification is still required.

A. Plan A says to complain. I shall be doing so, but is the complaint to the parking company or the retailer? Is this via e-mail, phone or letter?

B. Is the the TEMPLATE ''ONE SIZE FITS ALL'' FIRST APPEAL THAT DOESN'T SAY WHO WAS DRIVING redundant at this stage? If not, who does this go to?

Once again i can only apologise if this appears to be a stupid, duplicate post that has been seen 1000's of time prior, but i want to make sure I doing things correctly as i am stressing now.

Thank you in advance.

Brie

as I understand it you should complain to the retailer who may or may not be able to cancel this. They may say it's not their parking lot but owned by a managing company and refer you on to them.

I would also write (snail mail only, no emails, texts, calls) to the parking company and ask for copies of the original letter stating it was received.

After that it's a matter of waiting until a letter about a court date is sent to you. And then you respond to that.

inabitofapickle11

I have spoken to the retailer and it's out of their hands apparently. They have pointed me in the direction of the parking company starting with H.

I have their address so shall look to compose a letter to them. I don't suppose there are any standard templates that i can butcher for this purpose?

I am also thinking of sending an e-mail to the CEO of the retailer explaining the situation. I don't see it being harmful.Thoughts?

Just to add i do have a medical condition that leaves me needing to use the lavatories for extended periods of time. As it has been over 3 years I don't recall what the situation was on the day that caused the exceeding of the free parking allowance, however it is possible this was one of those occasions.

Additionally I purchased something from the store on that day and have proof of this, however no time is listed on the electronic receipt.

Thank you in advance.

EDIT: I should note that the FINAL REMINDER letter is from DCBL. Having read more on the forum it seems like the best course of action is to ignore this. If it comes from DCB Legal I shall follow the steps in the guide.

patient_dream

Now the infamous DCBL are involved …… so you PLAY THE DCBL GAME so follow the Newbies thread

Assume you mean HORIZSON ?

inabitofapickle11

Yes @patient_dream that is correct.

Coupon-mad

@inabitofapickle11

"the FINAL REMINDER letter is from DCBL. Having read more on the forum it seems like the best course of action is to ignore this. If it comes from DCB Legal I shall follow the steps in the guide."

Yes, ignore DCB Ltd. Forget those wasters!

But there's nothing to stop you emailing the CEO of the retailer (Tesco?) and cc in Horizon's complaints email, attaching:

• proof of your medical condition
• proof that you shop there often (receipts from any dates will do but especially from that day)

DO NOT SAY WHO WAS DRIVING!

Just say you are the keeper of the vehicle and from your receipt (attached) you can tell you were an occupant of the car that day. And state that the medical condition (details attached, or just explain it) causes you to need more time when shopping. The effects when it flares up are debilitating on daily life and the condition is ongoing - lasting more than 12 months - so it fully meets the 'definition of disability' in the Equality Act 2010 ('the EA').

This is regardless of not having a blue badge. The right to a reasonable extension of time doesn't depend on any badge. Therefore, you require Horizon to cancel the charge due to their legal duty under the EA to make 'reasonable adjustments' and you need the retailer to tell you how to claim more time in future, if needed on a visit.

Failure to cancel this PCN will see a complaint lodged with the CMA and with the EHRC because breaking the law on reasonable adjustments is unfair, illegal, not in keeping with the doctrine good faith and Horizon would be failing to put the consumer's rights and freedoms first. Horizon's attention is drawn to the CMA's Open Letter to the parking industry last week and they have 14 days to cancel the PCN and call off DCB Ltd.