Receiving previous home owners fine

[Coupeman]

We bought our property in June 2019, the previous owner who left in February 2019 has been fined by a parking company, Euro Car Parks, we found this out by mistake when we opened a letter sent to him, which we returned as "not known here", with a covering letter, they have since followed this up with a letter addressed to me but with the original persons name also on the letter. They are saying that they received the data for the original notice from the DVLA and that the V5 was still registered in his name and still with our address, the infringement took place in February 2020 . In the latest correspondence they are saying it is up to me to get the V5 changed by the DVLA , I have tried to contact the DVLA but due to COVID 19 they are not taking any calls or correspondence from non essential workers . ECP are saying that I have 28 days to resolve this with the DVLA and for me to send documentation proving that the change has taken place, if not complied with they will peruse the debt. Advice please.

[ostell]

What a load of rubbish Euro are talking! It's not your responsibility to tell the DVLA about the change of address by a third party. Just on Data Protection alone the DVLA wouldn't do anything.

Just wait and if there is another letter from them then a strong letter to Euro telling them that you have absolutely no responsibilty in this matter and that any further letters on this matter now that they are aware of the circumstances will be considered as harrassment. Suggest they look at Ferguson v British Gas


I don't know what debt they are going to pursue.

[MIKE770]

Unbelievable

[Celestine]

That's absolutely ridiculous. You have zero liability for this debt and I'm irritated that such a large parking provider is so wilfully misrepresenting your obligations.

[ploddertom]

Refer them to Arkell v Pressdram

[MIKE770]

Agreed

[ploddertom]

I wonder how many times this is actually being done and some "frightened" home owner is coughing up thinking this is what they have to do. Think this is something the press may be interested in plus complaints to their toothless trade organisations.

[ostell]

From the story posted by the OP they seem to think that the OP owns the car and has not told the DVLA of the new address.

[Coupeman]

From the story posted by the OP they seem to think that the OP owns the car and has not told the DVLA of the new address.

I have had direct communication with ECP following opening their letter by accident and then returning it with a covering letter and proof of home ownership, so they are aware I am not the person they are pursuing but the owner of the property he sold. I think their approach is everyone is a liar and when you are the innocent party put all the onus on you to do their work. I have asked them if they have checked recently the DVLA registration , I am sure they haven't, and if the car has been sold on , we are back to square one.

[ploddertom]

They will not check again - they have to pay - and in any case it is only from when the indiscretion occurred.

[ostell]

The failure to update DVLA records occurs quite frequently so it looks as though the idiots are thinking it's happened again and you forgot to change the details.* They are true idiots

So just wait for them
*

[MIKE770]

as stated unbeliveable

[ploddertom]

If it were me I'd be tempted to let them take me to Court and then hammer them for everything I could. After all you should not be opening post addressed to someone else.

[ostell]

I'll second that.

[MIKE770]

3rd it