Free Traffic Legal Advice

Thanks both for taking the time to help — I really appreciate the detailed advice and patience.

For clarity, I’m helping an elderly person with this matter, so apologies if any earlier posts were confusing — I’ve been gathering everything on their behalf.

To clarify everything and respond to your questions:

The PCN and only ever document I ever received in the house was titled “Notice to Owner” from Haringey Council. I appealed this.

After that, I never received any other documents/letters/emails for months — no Notice of Rejection, no Charge Certificate, no Order for Recovery — absolutely nothing.

The first time I became aware that the case had escalated was when I went back to my old address recently and found letters from Haringey Council and CDER Group (bailiffs).

I’ve only just seen the TE3 (order for recovery for unpaid penalty charge) and TE9 (Witness Statement unpaid penalty charge) forms now from the council, along with those enforcement notices.

The CDER letters are Notices of Enforcement only — there’s been no visits. I'm on good terms with the previous tenant, they mentioned they've got no other letters.

Recap Timeline and key facts:

The car got a parking ticket in the morning of the day it was sold to me.

I bought it from a private seller that same evening.

The seller provided a signed invoice with his name, address, time of sale, vehicle reg, and amount. I still have this.

I also have Facebook advert, messages and call logs showing our communication, the address and time we arranged to meet. All well after the ticket was issued.

I ran an HPI check about an hour before travelling to view the car. The timing shown on the report.

My temporary insurance started shortly after the time written on the invoice — both have clear timestamps.

I moved house not long after, and I have evidence of my old tenancy ending and new tenancy starting.

What I included in my online appeal (submitted the same day I received the NTO):
I attached:

The DVLA email confirming when I became the registered keeper (evening of the same day);

The temporary insurance certificate starting that evening;

The invoice from the seller with all the sale details.

This is what I wrote to the council at the time:

"I am writing to formally appeal the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued to me on 29/12/2024 at 08:34am.

I believe this PCN has been issued in error due to the following reasons:

Timing of Vehicle Purchase: I purchased the vehicle in question on 29/12/2024 at 16:30pm, as evidenced by the attached car purchase invoice. This is several hours after the alleged contravention took place.

Temporary Insurance: I obtained temporary insurance for the vehicle after the purchase to drive it home. The insurance documentation is attached for your reference, including the date and time stamp.

DVLA Registration: I have attached the DVLA confirmation email, which shows that I became the registered keeper of the vehicle after the time of the alleged contravention.

Given these facts, it is clear that I was not in possession of the vehicle at the time the contravention occurred. I kindly request that you review the attached documents and cancel the PCN accordingly.

Thank you for your understanding and prompt attention to this matter."

I included my contact details and received an acknowledgement email confirming that the appeal was received — then nothing for months. No decision, no follow-up, no letters.

Current situation:
Now, months later, I’ve discovered the bailiff letters at my old address and have only recently received the TE3 (Order for Recovery) and TE9 (Witness Statement) from the council.

My plan for this gentlemen was to:

Send a letter including all supporting evidence (invoice, insurance, HPI check, tenancy proof, communications, and all letters) to Haringey Council by recorded delivery and email; and

Complete the TE9 Witness Statement confirming I didn’t receive any correspondence after my online appeal because I had moved address. In the letter I'll mention the address and all details.

Any further guidance on whether I should include a TE7 (Out of Time) along with the TE9, and the best way to submit everything to the TEC and council, would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks again for your time and help.

Apologies for any confusions.

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Bailiffs for PCN from previous car owner!
harlow091
harlow091 Posts: 8 Forumite
Third Anniversary
First Post
Today at 1:10AM
Hi all,

I really need some help because I’m being chased by bailiffs for a parking ticket that wasn’t mine.

Here’s what happened:

On the same day I bought a used car, the previous owner got a parking ticket in the morning.

I bought the car later that evening from him.

A while later after owning the car I received the PCN notice in my name, even though the contravention happened before I owned the vehicle.

I appealed online straight away, explained the situation, and attached proof:

DVLA confirmation letter showing I became keeper in the evening with timestamps.

Insurance documents starting that evening.

I received an acknowledgement email from Haringey Council confirming my appeal, but I never heard anything further – no acceptance, no rejection.

What happened after:

I sold the car to WeBuyAnyCar. Since I no longer own the car or have a V5C in my name, there was no address to update with DVLA.

I then moved house. Because of this, I didn’t receive any of the later letters that were sent out.

I recently went back to my old rental and found a pile of letters, including several from Haringey Council and bailiff letters from CDER Group. This was the first time I became aware of how far things had gone.

Where I’m at now:

Bailiffs are chasing me for a PCN that was issued before I even owned the car. They haven't come to my new house, as they don't know yet where I am.

I’ve tried phoning Haringey Council but can’t get through or get a response. I'm thinking on what/who to email or write a letter to. The online platform for appeals won't let me communicate.

I feel completely stuck and anxious, as I’ve never been in this position before.

To be clear: the parking contravention was in the morning, when the previous owner still had the car. I bought it in the evening, so it had nothing to do with me.

I have proof of all of this, but I don’t know how to get the council or bailiffs to recognise it and stop chasing me.

Please can anyone advise me what to do next?

Thank you.