How to appeal a private parking charge

Private parking charges vs council tickets

Councils issue Penalty Charge Notices. Private companies, such as those managing supermarket, hospital and retail park car parks, issue Parking Charge Notices. The names are similar on purpose, but the rules are different:

• A private parking charge is based on the contract you're said to have accepted by parking there, usually set out on the car park's signs.
• A private operator can't use bailiffs directly. It would first need to win a county court claim against you.
• Appeals go to the operator and then to an independent appeals service, not to a council tribunal.

How to appeal, step by step

1. Gather evidence straight away. Take photos of the car park's entrance and signs (including what they say and how visible they are), keep any ticket, app receipt or permit, and note how long you were there and why.
2. Appeal to the parking operator. GOV.UK says you should contact the company that issued the ticket first. Do this in writing, within the deadline on the notice, and keep a copy.
3. If the operator rejects your appeal, check which appeals service to use. The rejection should tell you. Operators in the British Parking Association (BPA) use POPLA. Operators in the International Parking Community (IPC) use the IAS.
4. Appeal to POPLA or the IAS within 28 days of the operator's rejection. For POPLA you'll need the 10-digit verification code from the operator's rejection letter or email.

POPLA and the IAS compared

Common reasons a private parking charge is cancelled

• Poor signage. If the terms weren't clearly displayed, it's hard to argue you agreed to them.
• You'd paid or had a valid permit, but the system didn't record it, for example a mistyped registration.
• Grace periods. The industry's code of practice gives drivers time to read the signs and to leave after their parking ends.
• Problems with keeper liability. Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the registered keeper can only be held liable instead of the driver if the operator follows strict rules, including sending its notice within set time limits.
• Mitigating circumstances, such as a breakdown or a medical emergency.

The BPA and IPC have created a joint Single Code of Practice that their members must follow. It's largely based on the government's Private Parking Code of Practice.

What happens if you ignore a private parking charge

Ignoring it is risky. The operator may send reminder letters and pass the charge to a debt collector, and it can bring a claim in the county court. If you ever receive court papers about a parking charge, don't ignore them: respond within the deadline shown, and consider getting advice from Citizens Advice.