Letter before claim

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Wed 10 Aug 2016 15:50
Letter before claim - Sarah sexton
Hi, I received a parking charge from uk car park management limited back in Nov 15. It's on the land where I live, I basically live in a flat and there is private parking where we park.

All our neighbours have ignored their letters with nothing coming of them. And we have got about 6 in the past. But this one we have received a letter before claim from gladstones solicitors. It says we have now been instructed to take legal action against me. They are asking for £150. Which is rediculous as we live here! We have 14 days to pay or respond. It then says they are instructed to start proceedings without further notice.

What is the best way to respond? I really have not got that money spare, I've just been made redundant in my job, and times are tough!

Any help appreciated?

Sarah

Edited by Sarah sexton on 10/08/2016 at 15:51

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Wed 10 Aug 2016 16:17
Letter before claim - RobJP

If you believe you own, or have the legal right, to park on the land involved, then I suggest that you write back to them, informing them of such, and asking for some sort of evidence showing that you have parked on private property where you do not have such rights. Send it by registered post, and keep a copy (staple the postage receipt to it). Then, if or when it goes further, you have evidence that you have attempted to ascertain exactly what the alleged problem is.

Ignoring the letters - as you have been doing for the last 9 months - is not an option.

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Wed 10 Aug 2016 16:21
Letter before claim - Sarah sexton
We only rent but we as we live there we have a right to park there definitely. What I don't get is there is no loss involved so how can it be £150? It's not like a pay and display.

Is there any reference to a letter I can copy and amend do you know?

Sarah
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Wed 10 Aug 2016 17:08
Letter before claim - daveyjp

Visit pepipoo.com and they will assist.

forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60

A similar case:

forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?s=c85440bb7e67e35bb31...7

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Wed 10 Aug 2016 17:35
Letter before claim - concrete
We only rent but we as we live there we have a right to park there definitely. What I don't get is there is no loss involved so how can it be £150? It's not like a pay and display. Is there any reference to a letter I can copy and amend do you know? Sarah

Hello Sarah, you should examine your tenancy agreement. My son had a similar flat, but not having a car did not pay extra in his service charge for the private parking. There was a private parking shark company monitoring the parking to ensure it was only used by registered vehicles. I had permission to use his neighbours space when we visited. Twice I got a ticket but just ignored it. I didn't even bother to explain that I had the tenants permission. Nothing came of it. However they seem a bit keener now this government gave away our rights in the Protection of Freedom Act. If ever an act was so overtly misnamed, this is it. They can now pursue the registered keeper of the vehicle for 'damages'. I suspect damages would be difficult to prove in this case. Presumably you have been parking there for some anyway, without incident. I would be tempted to ignore this letter from Gladstones too. If anything official then comes from the small claims court you can mount a defense if your tenancy agreement states you have parking rights. Best of luck and keep us informed.

Cheers Concrete

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Wed 10 Aug 2016 17:38
Letter before claim - concrete

Sarah, as a post script, go online and look up Gladstones. You will probably find they are part of UK Parking and only act on there behalf. These parking sharks buy up redundant or retired solicitors names and use their names for official looking documents to scare ordinary folks into paying up. Check it out.

Also as davey pointed out, the links he provided offer good advice and help.

Cheers Concrete

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