VCS reduced settlement charge

[absolutelynochance]

I pay a monthly fee for an underground car park space on land owned by an apartment building development company. I have a tax disk style parking permit issued by VCS. The contract for this can be seen here.


The car park is patrolled by VCS.


I came down this afternoon to find a myparkingcharge notification saying to log into their portal to view evidence of a parking T&C contravention.


I looked over at my car park permit to find it upside down, when I was driving home yesterday with the windows open it must have shifted around and landed face down.


In the 'evidence' photographs taken by the so called parking 'agent' you can see the disk. Upside down but it is obvious what it is. I have parked there for 7 months, surely he recognises my car and will have seen the disk countless times before.





I righted the disk and phoned VCS who advised to lodge an appeal. I looked into that but upon seeing the form that requests personal details and the requirement to check a checkbox that says "I accept these facts as they are presented" or something similar - there is absolutely no bloody way am I doing that and providing them with that information or checking that box.


I pay for a valid parking permit. I'm not a paying £60 'fine' (private company issuing a fine, yeah ok) for 1) the ramifications of gravity and 2) because some **** has spotted an opportunity to extort some commission.


I spoke to the landowners, the company I rent the apartment from who agreed with my point of view and said they'd contact VCS and get this ridiculous charge squashed.


They have done so however I heard back saying that there is a remaining 'reduced settlement charge' of £20.


I phoned VCS who said if I refused to pay they would pass the matter onto a debt collection agency.


I know all about Simon Renshaw-Smith. I will not be one of his victims.




Seeking your advice and experience.


Cheers guys, much appreciated.

[R0b]

Re: VCS reduced settlement charge

Does the landowner instruct the VCS to manage the car park?

On the face of it, you have a contract directly with the landowner to rent out the parking space and therefore although the car park is managed by VCS they would not seem to have any right to recover charges from you for breach of your contract, effectively interfering with it. The parking contract on the link suggests a 'fine' but only fines can't be enforce as it can only be handed out by local authorities, police etc. rather it should say a 'charge'. It also does not say what the amount will be so its a bit ambiguous and uncertain and on top of that the contract doesn't incorporate what presumably are the VCS signage in the car park (if there is any).

However, that's my high level view of things. Perhaps @charitynjw, might be able to add more to this.

Also depends on whether the landowner you refer to actually owns the free hold or is leased. if leased, what does the lease say?

[absolutelynochance]

Re: VCS reduced settlement charge

Hi R0b,

Thanks for your help.

Please find screenshots below of all relevant contracts/documentation.

I agree with your interpretation of the events and look forward to any help forthcoming from charitynjw.

















The parking permit was, after signing the above parking contract with the landlord, presented to me enclosed with the following document from VCS.

1) I did not sign this document, nor have ever explicitly agreed to accept its stipulations
2) I did not agree at any stage to explicitly enter into a contract with VCS
3) The first I knew of any association with VCS is when I opened an envelope to find this letter with permit disc attached

[charitynjw]

Re: VCS reduced settlement charge

This would seem to me to be similar to 'fluttering parking tickets' (Google it & you'll find plenty of info)
Perhaps you could use this, adapting it as necessary -
https://bmpa.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ar...et-Robodefence