Letter from Equita for unpaid Parking Ticket

[macca]

Hi Everybody,

Last week I received a letter from Equita trying to recover the cost of a parking ticket I received from The London Borough of Lambeth some time ago. I assume it's for this anyway, as they haven't actually said when this occurred.

Last week I sent a letter telling them that I had sent a cheque off for this within the 14 days (for reduced payment) and that I had ignored the subsequent letters from the parking authority as instructed on the letters if I had already sent payment.

Today I received another letter from them sent on the 11th which is the day that my letter should have reached them (it was sent registered so that they could not claim they didn't get it).

This says: "TAKE FORMAL NOTICE, We are instructed by The London Borough of Lambeth in connection with the Warrant of Execution granted against you by the Traffic Enforcement Centre at Northampton County Court". It goes on to say that if I don't make arrangements to pay the sum (now £182.73) within 24 hours they will send bailiffs round.

Now, from a quick Google I assume that they haven't actually got a Warrant of Execution as I would have received notification from my local court to say that this had happened? Are they trying to scare me with this line?

I don't mind paying what I owe, but I'm not paying their collection fees because of an administration error.

Where do I stand and what should I do next?

Any help most gratefully received thank you!!

[Amy]

Re: Letter from Equita for unpaid Parking Ticket

Last week I sent a letter telling them that I had sent a cheque off for this within the 14 days (for reduced payment) and that I had ignored the subsequent letters from the parking authority as instructed on the letters if I had already sent payment.

Today I received another letter from them sent on the 11th which is the day that my letter should have reached them (it was sent registered so that they could not claim they didn't get it).

I don't mind paying what I owe, but I'm not paying their collection fees because of an administration error.

How can you owe it if you have already paid? Have you paid or not?

[macca]

Re: Letter from Equita for unpaid Parking Ticket

Hi Amy, sorry for such a slow reply to this. I've had another letter today which jogged my memory.

I sent payment by cheque to them as instructed in the first case. The subsequent couple of letters from the council said that they were chasing and if it had already been paid then to ignore it. Thinking they'd just crossed in the post or something I ignored it.

I know I should have checked at the time to see if the cheque was cashed but I was busy and didn't think much of it.

Some time later I got the letter from Equita.

I replied to them several weeks ago and told them that I believed it had been paid and wished for the matter to be returned to the council so that I could take the matter up with them. They ignored this and sent another letter saying they would send baliffs round. I replied again, with a copy of the previous letter, saying that the amount is in dispute as I thought it had already been paid, hence ignoring further requests.

I've now received a letter today saying 'Final Demand'. The first bold paragraph says Warrant of Execution Dated For Outstanding Penalty Charge Notice Due To The London Borough of Lambeth. I assume from the double-space between Dated and For that they meant to put a date in.

They say that the removal team was in the area but was 'unable to meet with me' and that they will be back in the next 7 days. They also ask that I leave car keys and log book with a 'responsible adult' (!).

I'm very anxious about this, I thought I had paid by cheque and want to open a dialogue with the council about this but am being ignored. The last thing I want is them coming to my house as I am at work during the day and they are likely to call on my 70-year old mother who will be too scared to say no to them.

I've still not seen any proof of this supposed Warrant of Execution, and they just ignore any letters I send.

What on earth do I do??

[Amy]

Re: Letter from Equita for unpaid Parking Ticket

For starters, have you checked to see if your cheque has been cashed?

[macca]

Re: Letter from Equita for unpaid Parking Ticket

I have now and it hasn't been. I know it was sent but I have no proof of this.