Court action threats over parking fines on the rise

Drivers are increasingly being threatened with court action over unpaid parking charges as private companies pass tickets on to debt collectors according to a consumer watchdog.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has said the number of people contacting them about receiving letters from debt collection agencies went from zero in 2015 to 100 in the last few months.

The letters were sent by a company called Debt Recovery Plus Ltd, which demands payment sometimes in excess of £100.

The British Parking Association (BPA) and Independent Parking Committee (IPC), the two industry bodies, suggest £100 as the maximum penalty drivers should face.

Where a fine is greater than this the BPA code of practice states a firm must justify the amount.

And the IPC says reference to additional charges should be stated on signs and related documentation.

The letters sent to drivers provide the company will “recommend to the creditor that court action should be taken to recover what you owe”.

DRP, however, said an original charge will never exceed £100; that it will be reduced to £60 if payment is made within a fortnight and that fees are only added in the event of non-payment.

It added local authorities impose extra fees and charges where owners fail to pay.

Fraser Sutherland, CAS consumer spokesman (pictured), said: “We have recently seen evidence that Debt Recovery Plus Ltd have been sending letters to people who have had a parking ticket issued by a private parking firm for alleged infringements in places like supermarket car park or hospitals.

“It’s important that drivers check signage when parking to know their rights and responsibilities while using that car park. However recent debt collection letters obtained by CAS show that fees in excess of £100 are being demanded. This is in clear breach of the parking industry’s own self-regulation code.”

Mr Sutherland added: “These examples are more evidence that self-regulation in the industry is not working, and that many car-parking firms are flouting their own regulations with a gung-ho attitude of simply collecting as much as possible from drivers.

“Citizens Advice Scotland will continue our campaign for better controls on private parking companies to ensure that they comply with consumer protection regulations. We also urge consumers to contact us for advice if they feel they have been unfairly treated by a private car-park or if they have received one of these debt collection letters.”

A spokesman for DPR Ltd said: “We operate under and comply with both British Parking Association and Independent Parking Committee codes.

“Both codes allow for debt recovery action after the parking operator has unsuccessfully tried to collect a parking charge.”