Hi all, first post, looking for a sense check on where I stand before anything formal arrives.
THE BASICS
Parking company: Euro Car Parks
Location: Weavers Wharf, Kidderminster
Date of alleged contravention: August 2025
Site type: ANPR, reason given as "no valid payment or validation to cover duration of stay"
My position: I am the registered keeper. The vehicle was sold a few weeks after the alleged contravention date.
THE ISSUE
I never received the original Notice to Keeper. The first correspondence I was aware of was a letter from Debt Recovery Plus demanding £170. I believe the NTK may not have reached me due to the vehicle being sold shortly after the parking date.
CORRESPONDENCE TIMELINE
Step 1 - My initial contact via ECP website contact form
Upon receiving the DRP letter I submitted a message via ECP's website requesting a copy of the original notice, photos, and confirmation of the original charge amount. I cited PoFA 2012 and noted ECP remains the legal creditor.
Step 2 - ECP's response
ECP replied from a no-reply address stating they could not accept my correspondence as the matter had been passed to DRP, and that all communication must now go through them.
Step 3 - My formal email to ECP appeals address
As I could not reply to the no-reply address I forwarded the chain to the appeals email listed on their website at the time. In this email I confirmed I was not refusing payment, offered to settle at the original charge amount, cited Schedule 4 PoFA 2012 noting ECP remains legal creditor and DRP has no independent standing, requested ECP either accept direct payment or confirm they were not pursuing the matter, and noted I did not consent to further third party data processing under UK GDPR. ECP never replied.
Step 4 - Attempted further contact after DCBL letter arrived
When I later tried to chase via the appeals email I received an automated response stating that address is no longer in use, directing me to the website contact form. When I used the contact form I received an automated response saying the matter had been referred to DCBL and to speak to them. ECP have effectively closed off all direct communication routes.
DRP LETTERS
I have DRP chaser letters dated 3rd November, 18th November, 3rd December and 31st December. I do not have the original DRP letter or any correspondence before early November as some letters were lost during a house move. No formal Letter Before Claim was received at any point during the DRP correspondence period.
MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENT
After moving house I received my first ever letter from DCBL (Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd) acting for ECP. The letter states £170 is owed, gives 14 days to pay or contact them, explicitly states it is NOT subject to High Court or bailiff action, and says they may recommend their client commence legal action.
WHERE I AM NOW
No LBC. No court claim. First DCBL letter only at this stage. I have copies of my ECP correspondence and the four DRP letters available if helpful. I did not appeal via POPLA as I was unaware of the charge until the DRP letter arrived, by which point that window had long passed.
MY QUESTIONS
Is the DCBL letter a standard pre-action step or does it indicate court action is genuinely closer?
Given the NTK was never received, is ECP's keeper liability position under PoFA 2012 weakened?
Should I respond to DCBL at all, or sit tight?
If a claim arrives, is £170 likely to be the enforceable amount or would a court reduce it?
Any known history of ECP/DCBL issuing claims for this site or at this value?
Given ECP have blocked all direct communication routes, does this strengthen my position at all?
Thanks in advance.
