I have been away for work recently, during this time my partner has been using my car.
Turns out she’s been parking in a private car park but wasn’t aware because she wasn’t getting tickets on the car.
I’ve returned home to numerous letters from UKPC with parking fines (some of which have reached final warning and debt collector stage), we don’t live together so my mail wasn’t being opened.
There is around 5 fines in total.
If I attempt to contact UKPC and explain the situation is their any chance they might be understanding and reduce the amount I owe? Accepted the fact we’re going to have to pay something but the amount outstanding is so excessive.
Or am I doomed and just going to have to grin a bear it?
To help us help you, please read the following thread and provide as much of the info asked for as you are able to:
READ THIS FIRST - Private Parking Charges Forum guideIf uploading copies of the notices we don't need to see any debt collector notices or reminders, just original notices and a note as to what stage each is up to.
You mention that your partner was unaware that they were on private land - in this case, it'll be particularly useful to see the signage at the car park to determine whether it is suitably prominent. If it isn't, this could be an avenue of defence.
As this is UKPC you might also want to read this thread from the MSE forum:
DCB LEGAL RECORD OF PRIVATE PARKING COURT CLAIM DISCONTINUATIONS. A bit of a pattern seems to have emerged whereby UKPC essentially play chicken with defendants, before discontinuing at the last moment. This seems to happen fairly regularly, but we can't offer any guarantees it'll happen in your case, and there is a risk that multiple tickets increases their incentive to go all the way.
In the meantime, let's get all the info in play and see what we're dealing with.
I have attached photos of four of the letters, there is another one dated 02/04/2024.
The first two have reached debt collector stage, the remaining three are on final reminder stage.
Can't provide photos of car park at the moment. I have been told that there is signage in the car park.
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Ah, you're in Scotland? In which case, you have yourself a 'get out of jail free' card! Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 does not apply in Scotland, as it does in England and Wales, so there is not (currently) any keeper liability in Scotland.
You can either ignore them, or, as you can positively state that you were not the driver, you could write to UKPC once*, referencing all of the PCN numbers, pointing out the following:
- That you are the registered keeper of the vehicle, but that you were not the driver on any of the occasions for which they have issued parking charge notices
- That you are under no obligation to name the driver, and will not be doing so
- That as you are not the driver, they are unable to recover the charge from you, and they and their debt collectors should cease contacting you about the charges
If you do decide to write to them, feel free to share a draft. I'd only write to them once if you do, don't waste your time with any extended correspondence. If they try to claim you can be held liable as the registered keeper, let us know.
*As there are multiple charges in play, it might be wise to do so, just so they know you understand your position.
Great spot in the above post
Ah, you're in Scotland? In which case, you have yourself a 'get out of jail free' card! Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 does not apply in Scotland, as it does in England and Wales, so there is not (currently) any keeper liability in Scotland.
You can either ignore them, or, as you can positively state that you were not the driver, you could write to UKPC once*, referencing all of the PCN numbers, pointing out the following:
- That you are the registered keeper of the vehicle, but that you were not the driver on any of the occasions for which they have issued parking charge notices
- That you are under no obligation to name the driver, and will not be doing so
- That as you are not the driver, they are unable to recover the charge from you, and they and their debt collectors should cease contacting you about the charges
If you do decide to write to them, feel free to share a draft. I'd only write to them once if you do, don't waste your time with any extended correspondence. If they try to claim you can be held liable as the registered keeper, let us know.
*As there are multiple charges in play, it might be wise to do so, just so they know you understand your position.
I am yes. Many thanks for your response.
I will probably write to them, just to stop the constant influx of letters if anything.
Thanks again.
Ah, you're in Scotland? In which case, you have yourself a 'get out of jail free' card! Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 does not apply in Scotland, as it does in England and Wales, so there is not (currently) any keeper liability in Scotland.
You can either ignore them, or, as you can positively state that you were not the driver, you could write to UKPC once*, referencing all of the PCN numbers, pointing out the following:
- That you are the registered keeper of the vehicle, but that you were not the driver on any of the occasions for which they have issued parking charge notices
- That you are under no obligation to name the driver, and will not be doing so
- That as you are not the driver, they are unable to recover the charge from you, and they and their debt collectors should cease contacting you about the charges
If you do decide to write to them, feel free to share a draft. I'd only write to them once if you do, don't waste your time with any extended correspondence. If they try to claim you can be held liable as the registered keeper, let us know.
*As there are multiple charges in play, it might be wise to do so, just so they know you understand your position.
Quick one, on their website I only seem to be able to appeal one fine at a time, and I can no longer appeal the tickets that have been referred to debt recovery.
Would you suggest just writing to them via a letter?
Save yourself the effort. Just ignore any and all correspondence from them or their debt collectors. UKPC have moved their league dept internally and have proven to be intellectually malnourished.
Let them waste their money on correspondence that you can safely ignore.