Equita Help Needed Please

[waggledance]

Hi, I received a PCN parking ticket a few months ago for being late back to my car by 10 minutes as my preschooler was thwowing a tantrum. Basically, I ripped the ticket from my car in disgust and have ignored all correspondance from northamptom court and equita.
I know this isn't the right way to deal with things but really annoys me when i actually bought a ticket for the car park and if had only been able to get back in time the other ticket would have cost a mere 50p. Anyway, I have received a letter from equita today which states they are disapointed to have not received any payment and will be sending the baliffs round to seize my property if i do not pay £108 immediately. I am a single mum and cannot afford this and annoyingly do not even own the car anymore as i could not afford the upkeep!.
need some advice on what to do before this gets more out of hand.

thankyou

waggledance:tinysmile_aha_t:

[waggledance]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

hmmm, help not coming? please someone, really don't want this to ecalate and end up with even huger bill, trouble is that i can't even afford the £108!

[WendyB]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

Patience is a virtue, forum members do have lives, you know. Have a read of this Parking Fine Guide - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum which should answer most of your worries. If you have any questions post back.

[labman]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

Hi,

Have a read of this:

Parking Fine Guide - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

If you have any further questions once you've read it, just post them up.

[waggledance]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

sorry, not used to this, hope i didn't seem rude. thankyou for your post.

[waggledance]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

ok, read the guide, as I did know about the fine and just ignored it can i still file a stat dec? am i better to speak to baliff or just ignore him if he calls or can i deal with the council instead? sorry, so confused, got little boy hear and worried about what the baliffs might do

[Celestine]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

Hi Waggle

Have you had a read of the guide yet? The fact that you don't have the vehicle is helpful in the sense that it cant be clamped and towed. Be careful of any visitors to your home parking outside as bailiffs like clamping any vehicle associated with your home.

Do not let the bailiffs into your home under any circumstances. You need to ascertain how much of the £108 is 'legitimate' fees. You will also need to set up some way of paying what you genuinely owe as this debt will only grow larger otherwise.

Any questions? Just holler! :beagle:

[waggledance]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

hi, i live in a cul de sac and there are parking spaces but no drives, its impossible to tell whose car belongs to which house, could a baliff take my neighbours car?

[labman]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

Yes, but not legally!

[waggledance]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

OMG! can't let that happen whether illegal or not, best speaking to baliffs then? or is that a bad idea?

[labman]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

Is there any way you can record phone calls - even if using a cheap tape recorder with a phone on loudspeaker or whatever?

In theory the bailiffs should act pretty much the same as in a council tax debt, which means if you offer a reasonable weekly payment / monthly payment, they should accept it. Often they don't, and to have evidence of this would be good from your point of view.

They should act reasonably and professionally at all times. Under no circumstances let them into your house for whatever reason. If the door is unlocked or a window is open they can enter through those quite legally, so keep everything shut and locked.

Get the bailiffs name and check with the MOJ he is certificated to work for that firm. Remain polite, shouting and screaming will only antagonise them.

If they accept a repayment plan, well and good as long as you make sure any funds paid are cleared by the agreed payment date. If they don't, then we need to take it from there.

Try your very best to get a record of everything that happens though as this can be critical if the bailiffs start playing silly games.

[WendyB]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

Don't speak to the bailiff on the phone. Send a SAR (there is a link in the Parking Guide) so that you can ascertain exactly what has been added on in fees by the bailiff. There is a certain procedure they have to follow, and certain prescribed fees whih they are allowed to add on. You will probably find that they have added nefarious charges to the original debt. Once you have established what fees have been charged you an challenge those which are not legitimate, and make a payment arrangement to pay the correct balance. Also have a read through the forum for other similar cases.

[waggledance]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

thankyou wendy, still hoping theres a way I can avoid the baliffs coming round? they haven't been yet, just had the letter from the baliff company stating their intended actions. don't know how much time i've got before they show up but really don't want them on my doorstep at all if can help it, is there a way of dealing with things now?

[WendyB]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

Yes there is. Write/email them stating that you are prepared to pay but not until you have a breakdown of any charges. Copy this letter to the council as well. If you absolutely insist on speaking to the bailiff withhold your number. Be firm with him and don't let him bully you into paying what you can't afford. And don't believe a word he says, bailiffs lie as a matter of course.

[Caspar]

Re: Equita Help Needed Please

..... and try to record the call.