Parking fine harsh?

Third Opinion

Third Opinion

Third Opinion

Soldato
Joined
3 Jun 2005
Posts
5,365
Location
West Sussex
Basically in the block of flats I live in we have a private car park. Before Xmas the landlords stuck some signs up. They were to stop people dumping cars in the car park that don't live around here. We have had a couple were alarms have gone off for days on end.

Now your car needs to be kept in a road worthy condition and display a valid tax disc.

I didn't use my car for a few days over New Year and when I did I found a ticket on it for £100 fine. Basically all the wet weather had caused a fair bit of condensation in it and the tax disc holder had fallen off. The disc was clearly still there as it was sitting the right way up on the dash board.

Do you think it is worth protesting or just taking it on the chin? It is a private enforcement company, the signs clearly state you need to display a disc.
 
The advise would probably be to appeal it (which they will reject) then take it to POPLA, but to be honest, I'd just ignore it to save the hassle.

EDIT: Actually why don't you speak to your landlord? It was him who employed the parking company to dish out charges. Explain the circumstances to him and ask him to approach the company in question to have the charge cancelled.
 
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if you have a valid parking permit, i wouldnt worry.
a) you could just speak to the management of the block of flats to get them to cancel the pcn
b) appeal (the enforcement company WILL reject the initial appeal - that's how they make their money) but there is a "independent" appeals service which is free to you, and provided you can prove you have a valid permit to park there, they'll force the enforcement company to drop the pcn charge. the enforcement company is obliged to give you a code to this appeals service when they reject your initial appeal.

ps: are private enforcement companies allowed to issue a pcn if you dont have a valid road tax disc? pretty sure its out of their jurisdiction =x
 
Just ignore it and see what they do, if only for entertainment.
Legally they can do nothing.
 
tamzzy said:
ps: are private enforcement companies allowed to issue a pcn if you dont have a valid road tax disc? pretty sure its out of their jurisdiction =x
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Apparently I have broken the agreement of parking there without displaying a tax disc. The notice also said my car will be towed away after 7 days if I don't comply with the ticket and pay the fine.

I have removed it from there and put it on the road now as I don't trust them.
 
Other than 'absolutely none whatsoever' what right does a private parking company have to enforce the display of a vehicle excise license on a windscreen?
 
Bit dark now but I will take a picture of their notice in the morning.

I am a housing association tenant and it is issued by their contractor, not local authority.
 
Speak to the guys on 'pepipoo' for advice because "just ignoring it" these days isn't the recommended route (always used to be, times are changing since POPLA was introduced in October 2012).

I'm sure it will amount to nothing however just ensure you've appealed against it and you want a POPLA defence.

Who is the company that is attempting to charge you?
 
Well that rule will go **** up come October when you will no longer be legally required to display a tax disc, and may not even be issued one as I understand it.
 
[TW]Fox;25603952 said:
Other than 'absolutely none whatsoever' what right does a private parking company have to enforce the display of a vehicle excise license on a windscreen?
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This. Private firms trying to enforce parking fines is nothing new. But private firms enforcing fines due to not displaying a valid tax disc, what the hell?
 
Third Opinion said:
Apparently I have broken the agreement of parking there without displaying a tax disc. The notice also said my car will be towed away after 7 days if I don't comply with the ticket and pay the fine.

I have removed it from there and put it on the road now as I don't trust them.
Click to expand...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but pretty sure if they were to tow your car without your permission it would be classed as theft?
 
They have towed cars before, although they might have been the council. Happened to the guy upstairs whose cambelt broke and he was trying to source a new engine. They took his car within two weeks. They put a 7 day notice on them then take them, the ticket states your car may be told and bleats on about debt collectors etc.

They claim a charge of £150 a day if you don't comply. The sign says, no untaxed, un roadworthy, trailors, caravans etc.

Anyway think I have sorted it. I spoke to the housing association who said they are going to have them cancel the ticket. Apparently some busy body had called the number on the notice on New Years day saying I was breaking the rules. A simple photo of the tax disc on the dashboard and the expiry date seems to have sorted it.

Phew I really thought I was going to have to pay that. Thanks for suggesting the landlord I didn't think of that.
 
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