Private parking charge notices

[shopper150]

Are parking charges or 'fines' issued by private companies enforceable?

I know previously you could just ignore them, is this still the case?

 

[SteveCritten]

There are loads of threads on this subject try a search.

 

[shopper150]

Will do
Thanks

 

[fiveaside]

I've just had a second and I am ignoring it. Only police or council issued PENALTY charge notices are enforceable not PARKING charge notices. Try this if in doubt..... Dropbox - Parking charges Template-Draft-PCN-challenge-POFA-compliant-version-v2.docx

 

[nheather]

Are parking charges or 'fines' issued by private companies enforceable?

I know previously you could just ignore them, is this still the case?

Yes they are, always have been, but as a private commercial agreement, not in any 'legal fine' way.

Essentially, they charge for a service, you don't pay, they could pursue you for non-payment, breach of contract etc.

The problem, certainly in the past, is that they ultimately need to take you to court and present their case if you don't pay up. In most cases they can't be bothered and there is also a question whether the prices they charge are unreasonable and not supported by the court - in that whilst they may well win the court might decide the charges are unreasonable and order a much smaller settlement.

The big change recently, is that they are no longer required to track down the actual driver but instead can pursue the owner. This makes it a little safer for them to follow through with court action.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[fiveaside]

If that was the case who would pay the costs?

 

[fiveaside]

Sorry, the court costs?

 

[fiveaside]

Nigel, would you happen to work for one of these cowboys in question?

 

[PSM1]

I have read in a few places now that quite a few companies are now following through with court action and winning. So the past advice of ignoring the letters I believe has changed recently since people who have done this have found themselves receiving a court summons!!!

 

[fiveaside]

Shopper 150 don't listen to the tripe on here, just ignore it.

 

[PSM1]

This may be worth a read:

Private Parking Tickets: fight unfair charges - Money Saving Expert
also this thread were the guy got let off by sending a letter to the company:
Parking ticket from UKPC | Page 2 | AVForums

fiveaside: Are you 100% sure your ignore strategy is going to work? What is your evidence that your technique is still valid?

 

[fiveaside]

Let's just say I work for a legal organisation where approximately ten of my colleagues and I ignore parking charge notices on a regular basis.

 

[nheather]

Nigel, would you happen to work for one of these cowboys in question?

Why would you think that?

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[PSM1]

Let's just say I work for a legal organisation where approximately ten of my colleagues and I ignore parking charge notices on a regular basis.

Well maybe giving the context at the start instead of just slating other members advice would be useful. You work for a legal organisation but are you actually trained in law and more importantly parking law? Just because you have ignored your notices and had no come back can you be sure that the OP will have the same outcome? To dismiss other peoples advice so bluntly but not provide any real backup for your course of action seems a little remiss to me.

 

[fiveaside]

Yes I see your point but the bully boy tactics these companies use do infuriate me.

 

[PSM1]

I agree with the bullying tactics etc. The OP of the post I linked too above seemed to get a good response from a well worded letter hence this may be a better course of action than simply ignoring it.

 

[IronGiant]

Let's just say I work for a legal organisation where approximately ten of my colleagues and I ignore parking charge notices on a regular basis.

Are they bailiffs by any chance? as you have one hell of an aggressive foot in the door attitude about you

 

[nheather]

The OP posted asking a question whether the charges are enforceable.

The simple answer is yes - but for clarity, not like a fine that the council would issue. It would be enforced as a prosecution for failing to abide by the contractural terms of the service used.

There are a few possible questions

1 - are they enforcable
2 - can you ignore them and get away with it
3 - are their charges reasonable
4 - are the tactics they use proper

He only asked Q1 - to which the answer is without doubt 'YES' and they have always been.

A lot of the discussions subsequently are about Q2 -Q4 which is a different matter.

For what it is worth, my suggested answers

1 - Yes
2 - Most likely
3 - No
4 - No

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[fiveaside]

Shopper150 is the op who asked the question.

 

[nheather]

Shopper150 is the op who asked the question.

Apologies - my mistake - will edit the post.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[fiveaside]

Cheers

 

[rousetafarian]

Hasn't this subject been done to death already?

 

[Solar]

Are parking charges or 'fines' issued by private companies enforceable?

Not without evidence, no.
getoutofdebtfree.org • Get Out of Debt Free Forum

 

[IronGiant]

Hasn't this subject been done to death already?

It had been but the field of play seems to have changed recently with rumours beginning to circulate of cases where the parking company has been to court and won.

 

[tbc]

Drove into a car park last week, discovered that I couldn't park as it was private, drove back out, 10 days later a fine for £100 comes through the door.

They know what they can go and do