parking scams

[alanr]

I was told by the man I visited that the parking arrangements had been altered outside his flat and that I didn't need to display the permit, obviously he was mistaken because I got a ticket (attached) although the permit was available to me it wasn't displayed which is/* the reason on the ticket.

Please advise what my next move is if any at all as it doesn't appear to be a fine but instead a request for money, is this some kind of scam?

[Kati]

Re: parking scams

Hi [MENTION=75807]alanr[/MENTION] :welcome to LB

I know from your email, that you have only received a windscreen ticket so far ... [MENTION=5354]mystery1[/MENTION] usually suggests that you wait for the "Notice to Keeper" before appealing (it arrives approx 14-28 days after the event ). While you're waiting for the NtK is there any chance that you could get the permit holder to write a letter stating that he'd allowed you to park in his spot ... and possibly get a pic of the permit?

I'm sure M1 will be able to advise (I tagged him)

K xx

[mystery1]

Re: parking scams

I would add to what Kati says. You are risking having to pay £100 rather than £60 although as they usually can't get keeper liability requirements correct that you should be ok, however both LPS and the IAS appeal service are likely to reject any appeals. This does not mean that if you ignored them and they took court action that a court would ignore the protection of freedoms act 2012 schedule 4 requirements as well.

What does your mates lease say about parking ?

M1

[ostell]

Re: parking scams

As there has been a notice on the windscreen the NTK has to be received after day 28 and before day 56 to hold the keeper liable.

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

I have the permit number(permits are home made in appearance, created by possibly one of the tenant/owner group in the block, well definately not created by a printing firm), as for signage they are there but didn't catch my eye as i was totally relaxed by the permit holders authority and i asked him twice if he was sure i didn't need to display it on this occasion, i am extremely cautious normally, as for the permit holder he is elderly, he emailed the person who organised the parking arrangements, he also phoned the number on the ticket to tell them that i was there legit but he came away from that more confused than he was when i got the ticket. I should point out that the permit holder is almost frail and it has worried him more than me and as such he has offered to pay half if I pay the reduced figure. I would also like to point out the the tenant/owner is a client of mine not a friend. Incidentally the london parking solutions ltd are registered to a ground floor flat around the corner from me.(i bet the owner of the company has an unsuspecting tenant living there rather than himself/herself or itself!)

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

attaching photo of sign taken from the pics they have on paymypcn(actual resolution not reduced so cant enhance the poor image), i parked facing a hedge, signs in there photos are on the row of garages directly behind my car(one can presume those were to warn about obstructing garages at a glance.

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

There seem to be no parking bays marked out, you just aline yourself with the cars already there so nobody appears to have a spot, I will speak further with permit holder.

Hi @alanr :welcome to LB

I know from your email, that you have only received a windscreen ticket so far ... @mystery1 usually suggests that you wait for the "Notice to Keeper" before appealing (it arrives approx 14-28 days after the event ). While you're waiting for the NtK is there any chance that you could get the permit holder to write a letter stating that he'd allowed you to park in his spot ... and possibly get a pic of the permit?

I'm sure M1 will be able to advise (I tagged him)

K xx

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

I was granted permission by the permit holder/tenant/owner and only agreed to park there by double checking with him that he was positive I could do so free of charge without fear of molestation for doing so, I had 100% faith in his authority and therefore had no concern what so ever for any entrapment, pitfalls or penalties that may lay in wait for me set by any third party dressing it up as a contract, the only way at that point I could have possibly entered into a contract would have been by falling into it as if it were a pit rather than any agreement on my part, I agreed nothing with anyone other than the permit holder.

[ostell]

Re: parking scams

Get the person who you were visiting to look at the lease, which sounds as though it predates the arrival of the parking company. If there is no requirement for display of permits then you have not erred and the ticket on your car is trespass as you were acting on the the instructions of the lessee.

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

Yes thanks for that, will try and see the permit holder soon as. I visited the permit holder to carry out work for him which I charge for, it's clear that I was parked in there due to being duped by permit holder by him saying I was covered non the less without displaying his permit, I have no grounds to suspect his motives for misleading me to be anything other than a mistake by him or at least I hadn't until asked for payment by a parking company.

[ostell]

Re: parking scams

The important question is does he actually need a permit? Lease will tell.

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

When he actually bought the flat back in 1995 ish he seems to recollect that there was nout about parking, everyone just parked there and then at some point around 2010 a parking company was organised by the housing association committee and permits were issued, new permits were issued a couple of years back when new firm took over, he doesn't drive himself so not on the ball, he is in his 80s and become confused and or distressed when I asked about lease etc, I get the impression he thought he was going to get into trouble some how, at that moment I caved and paid the £60 which turned out to be £61.95(handling fee by paymypcn) I paid at that point because I knew it was worrying him as it was me, I wanted to get a receipt of payment shown him as soon as I could so he could relax, he agreed to go half in the beginning and was getting very distressed it was being dragged out I think. I had already by that point spoken to one of his neighbours(who also didn't drive) and he indicated that the permit holder would be in distress by it all this and that other residents had been distressed by the company(get the impression a large portion of lps income is from the people they are there to help) I am also pretty vulnerable in the same sense and already had 2 sleepless nights so had started to affect my work, it was worth £61.95 to be able to function properly again.
I would like to thank all those at LB who have shown interest and helped.
P.S. I took photos of initial signage at entrance, 1st sign you see just says unauthorised vehicles will be clamped, the 2nd sign with info about contract etc is hidden by the roof of your car whilst passing it so cannot be seen unless you are on foot, there are other signs in the parking area once you are in there, all identical to the info(2nd sign) I will post those in case anyone is interested.

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

entrance signage attached

[ostell]

Re: parking scams

Well, they can't clamp any more and you were not unauthorised.
Was there a payment machine to allow you to pay?
They do not have authority as they cannot override the original lease.
It's a shame you paid.
If you feel so inclined get those residents (or any resident) that has been hit and get the management company to sack them

[alanr]

Re: parking scams

No it is just a parking area behind block of private flats, permit holders only, it's free