Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Private parking tickets => Topic started by: alb2025 on May 27, 2025, 01:03:23 pm
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Apologies. I thought that was an appeal to the parking operator.
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Let's remember that the audience for the above suggested correspondence is the landowner (aka the church), who are somewhat more likely to have some extant goodwill compared to the parking company.
That doesn't mean you need to grovel, however. I'd be concise, stick to facts, and try to show that you are seeking to be reasonable, whilst the parking company the landowner has hired are pursuing the charge without regard for the very reasonable circumstances.
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You assume their goodwill is something that is tangible. Unfortunately, all you are doing is confirming to them that you are low-hanging fruit on the gullible tree that is eventually going to pay up out if ignorance and fear.
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Thanks for the feedback.
I am appealing to their goodwill. I feel like I'm in the wrong because I didn't update my log book.
What can I complain about?
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Sounds like an AI inspired plea. Whilst no one suggests grovelling, this response sounds a bit too obsequious or servile.
Th isis not an appeal. It is a formal complaint, which should be treated as an appeal. All I see is begging, grovelling and no complaining.
There are plenty of sample complaints you can search for on this forum that you can then adapt to your circumstances.
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I'd be minded to be a bit briefer - you're 150 words in before you mention the fact that any payment was made on the day in question.
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Wanted to check this is okay before I send it.
Dear Sir/Madam,
A heartfelt plea for your kind consideration is being made regarding a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) issued by Euro Car Parks concerning the vehicle registration .....
This matter has recently escalated to a final notification for an outstanding amount, and the individual hoping for your intervention sincerely wishes you might be able to extend some kindness in this situation.
It has unfortunately come to light that all previous correspondence concerning this PCN, including the initial Notice to Keeper (NTK), was sent to an outdated address. This genuine oversight meant that the individual responsible for the vehicle was entirely unaware of the PCN, or any preceding communications, until very recently. It is acknowledged that while the driving licence was updated with the DVLA, the V5C (log book) for the vehicle was regrettably overlooked at that specific time. Immediate action has now been taken to rectify this with the DVLA.
It is important to convey that there was every intention for the vehicle to be parked in accordance with regulations, and a valid parking ticket was indeed purchased for 4 hours. The alleged discrepancy appears to stem from the time taken to find a suitable parking space upon entry to the car park. It is common practice for motorists to be afforded a reasonable observation period to locate a space before purchasing a ticket. During this time, active efforts were being made to find an available bay, and importantly, a young 5-year-old child was present. For the child's safety, it was imperative that they not be left unattended, particularly while moving around or before safely parking. As soon as a space became free, the vehicle was safely parked, and the ticket was immediately purchased. The delay was thus a direct consequence of the car park's occupancy and the necessary process of safely locating a parking bay, especially while ensuring the safety of a young child.
As a single parent, the unexpected demand for £170.00 represents a substantial and significant financial burden. This amount is genuinely difficult to manage and would cause considerable hardship.
A compassionate consideration of this matter is respectfully requested. Given that there was genuine unawareness of the PCN until now due to correspondence being sent to an incorrect address, and considering the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the ticket, it is believed that it is fundamentally unfair that the opportunity to challenge the charge was initially denied.
It would be immensely grateful if you would be able to use your discretion as landowners to have this Parking Charge Notice squashed. Your kindness and understanding in this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours faithfully,
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Thank you
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You cn contact the church as the registered keeper of the vehicle and simply refer to the driver in the third person. The Keeper and the driver are two separate legal entities. Whilst the Keeper an be both, there is no legal obligation on the Keeper to identify the driver to anyone.
So, no "I did this or that", only "the driver did this or that".
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As an aside, is there someone to contact who controls the car park? e.g. a store (It may be possible to convince them to rescind it)
The landowner is a church. Is it worth contacting them?
Definitely.
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Okay thank you.
Sorry, I was going to but i thought it would be admission of guilt and go against me later on. I will try to contact them.
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It's not a "data request". It's a Data Rectification Notice (DRN) and you do it by email to the DPO email address listed in their privacy statement on their website. You also CC in yourself. You make sure you tell them to confirm when they have updated their records.
I'm sure auntie Google can help you with this if you're still unsure what to do.
Why on earth would you not try and contact the landowner to get this cancelled? It's called Plan A.
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As an aside, is there someone to contact who controls the car park? e.g. a store (It may be possible to convince them to rescind it)
The landowner is a church. Is it worth contacting them?
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Hi can I please check do I email the data request from my own personal email address or sent it the post?
Many thanks!
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Just email the data rectification notice to DPO@eurocarparks.com and make sure you CC in yourself.
Ignore DRP or any other debt collector. Please don't waste our or your own time with information about any debt collectors. Ignore them. They are not a party to ay contract allegedly breached by the driver.
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As an aside, is there someone to contact who controls the car park? e.g. a store (It may be possible to convince them to rescind it)
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I probably waited for a parking space for 15 mins. I believe I was late leaving due to my son having a tantrum on getting into the car. Unfortunately I no longer have receipt as proof of payment.
With ANPR the clock starts running from the moment you enter the car park. In their simple calculation the car has exceeded the 4 hour (and 10 minute exit grace) period by sufficient time to issue a PCN. (Wording on the signs could be relevant but it's usual that the contract does not commence until parked)
There is a strong argument the contract did not commence at the time of entry - but as detailed above, it may not be needed to argue this point.
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The new home owner at my old address gave them to my ex husband when he went to collect his own mail.
So I send the data change request to ECP not DRP?
ECP as they are the Data Controller. (DRP are their agents)
Do I email ECP with an appeal alongside the data request?
No 'appeal' - they are in payment only mode now. Just the data rectification (it's not a request - it's a legal right).
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Ignore DRP
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Do I email ECP with an appeal alongside the data request?
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The new home owner at my old address gave them to my ex husband when he went to collect his own mail.
So I send the data change request to ECP not DRP?
Thanks for your help.
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@alb2025, please pay attention and as long as you follow this advice, you will not be paying a penny to ECP.
Whilst you may have now updated your V5C address with the DVLA (how did you get hold of the Notice to Keeper (NtK) you have shown us?) the serious issue is that ECP still hold an old address.
The first thing you need to do is send the DPO of ECP a data rectification notice instructing them to update their records with your current address for service and to erase your old address. The highlighted words are there for a reason, so use them.
You can safely ignore any debt recovery letters. Debt collectors are powerless to do anything except to try and make the low-hanging fruit on the gullible tree pay up out of ignorance and fear. Never, ever ever enter into any communication with a powerless debt collector. Ignore them.
This is what is going to happen... eventually, you will receive a Letter of Claim (LoC) most likely from a bulk litigation firm, DCB Legal. When you receive this, show us and we will provide a suitable response.
The next thing you will receive is an N1SDT Claim Form from the CNBC. Again, show us when you receive this. Redact only your personal details, the claim number and the MCOL password. Leave ALL dates visible, especially the issue date of the claim.
We will provide a suitable defence. In due course, the claim will either be struck out or discontinued. You just need to hold your ground and trust us. There is a less than 1% chance this would ever reach a hearing if you follow the advice.
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See attached back of PCN
I probably waited for a parking space for 15 mins. I believe I was late leaving due to my son having a tantrum on getting into the car. Unfortunately I no longer have receipt as proof of payment.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Your “appeal” option now is to wait for a Letter of Claim, which will be issued by DCB Legal, and then file paperwork with the small claims track at your local court including a defence if you think you have one. If done, DCB Legal will offer you a reduced amount to settle, which you ignore, eventually leading them to discontinue the action. It’s what they do.
If you want to pursue this, come back when you receive the Letter of Claim.
Ignore and do not engage with debt collectors, including DCBL, the sister company of DCB Legal. It’s only the latter you need to take seriously.
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Time driving around the car park isn’t parking time, did you spend 25 minutes driving around and waiting?
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* Has anyone successfully appealed a PCN with Euro Car Parks after the appeal window closed due to an outdated address? What was your experience?
The trouble is you've technically committed a (real) offence in not updating your V5C. (Although one that is rarely pursued)
If it's any comfort the parking company would almost certainly have rejected your appeal anyway. (However, you would at least had the option of the early discount - but that's still a slab of cash)
* How aggressive are debt collectors for private PCNs? What should I expect, and what are my rights?
Aggressive? They are completely powerless and cannot do anything other than send scary letters. Ignore them.
* Is there anything else I should include in my appeal letter or be aware of when dealing with Euro Car Parks or the debt collectors?
Most parking companies will simply say they cannot consider any appeal (and the matter is with debt collectors). Debt collectors are only interested in your paying the inflated amount.
This is the limitation of ANPR camera's - they only record entries and exits and a computer matches your payment with the stay.
How long, roughly, after entering did the driver make payment? Can we see the rear of the NtK too? Does the driver still have the P&D ticket?
Do not send them anything until advised.
At this stage they cannot force you to pay - only a court can do that if they win a judgment.
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Hi everyone,
I'm feeling incredibly stressed and could really use some advice from anyone who's been through something similar. I've found myself in a really difficult situation with a private Parking Charge Notice (PCN) and now a debt recovery agency is involved.
Here's what happened:
I received a "FINAL NOTIFICATION LETTER" from Euro Car Parks for a PCN issued on 22/02/2025.The amount is now £170.00, being pursued by debt collectors.
The huge problem is that I was completely unaware of this PCN, or any previous letters, until very recently. All the correspondence was sent to an outdated address. I had updated my driving licence with the DVLA around but I honestly overlooked updating the V5C (log book) for my vehicle at that specific time. I've since rectified this and my V5C is now updated.
This means I was genuinely denied the chance to appeal or pay any reduced amount, which is incredibly frustrating.
Regarding the actual incident:
The PCN claims "The P&D/permit purchased did not cover the date and time of parking." However, I did purchase a valid 4-hour parking ticket
The issue is likely due to the time taken to find a space. I entered the car park and had to spend a considerable amount of time waiting for a suitable parking bay to become available. It's common for there to be an "observation period" to find a space. Crucially, I had my 5-year-old son with me, and for his safety, I couldn't leave him unattended while I drove around looking for a space, or go to the machine before parking properly. As soon as a space was free, I parked safely and went straight to get the ticket. My intention was always to pay, and I did.
I also understand that the BPA (British Parking Association) Code of Practice generally allows for a grace period. While this is usually at the end of parking, it acknowledges that a reasonable amount of time is needed for ingress and egress.
My current situation:
As a single parent, an unexpected demand for £170.00 is a significant financial burden and would cause considerable hardship. I've drafted a detailed letter to Euro Car Parks, asking them to reconsider and allow my appeal, explaining the address issue and the details of the parking incident. I've attached my parking ticket, proof of address change, and V5C update info.
My questions for the group:
* Has anyone successfully appealed a PCN with Euro Car Parks after the appeal window closed due to an outdated address? What was your experience?
* How aggressive are debt collectors for private PCNs? What should I expect, and what are my rights?
* Is there anything else I should include in my appeal letter or be aware of when dealing with Euro Car Parks or the debt collectors?
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