SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

[nmyster]

Hi,

I moved into a flat in June, it has smart parking signs around the place and long story short - my girlfriend parked her car one night to be surprised by a parking charge of £90 on her windshield.

This happened before I had received parking permits from my letting agency and now after 2 or 3 letters from Debt Recovery plus, I wanted to find out if ignoring them, as we have done, is the right course of action?

The latest letter is for £160.

My thinking is is that the parking is private for residents. I am a resident. I did not have my parking permit yet as I was a new resident... Surely it is not fair/possible to be charged for parking in these circumstances?
I made a point of getting the permits after this and have used them since.

Please advise as we don't want to make this worse than it needs to be.

Thanks
Neil

[mystery1]

Re: SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

Who owns the space ?

Check your lease.

M1

[nmyster]

Re: SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

Hi,

I would have assumed the landlord as I have now got permits to use them which were issued by them.

The spaces are not reserved and are always vacant (we park at the back where there is more parking)

Neil

[mystery1]

Re: SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

Check your lease.

M1

[nmyster]

Re: SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

Hi,

Out of interest what difference would this make in this situation as the parking is part of the flats I live in? Its not on street parking.

Not got my lease to hand to check at the moment.

Neil

[mystery1]

Re: SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

It depends on what your lease says. Ultimately though, it's still a penalty. Your lease might prove an easier route to a solution though.

M1

[nmyster]

Re: SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

Okay thanks, and if there is no easier route, is it still "safe" to ignore them?

Neil

[mystery1]

Re: SmartParking charge at my flat before I recieved my permits

"safe" means different things to different people. They may issue a claim if ignored which can be dealt with but is the hardest way to deal with a ticket if a claim transpires but the easiest if it doesn't. Smart parking are not particularly litigious as of yet.

M1