Should you ignore a private parking charge?

Why people say "just ignore it"

A Parking Charge Notice from a supermarket, retail park or other private car park is a charge from a company, based on the terms on its signs. It isn't a penalty from a council or the police, and it isn't a criminal matter. The operator can't use bailiffs directly.

That's true, but it doesn't mean the charge goes away. Operators can, and regularly do, take unpaid charges to the county court.

What happens if you ignore it, step by step

1. Reminder letters. The operator sends reminders. If it didn't put a ticket on your car, it can write to the registered keeper using details from the DVLA.
2. You miss your appeal window. If you don't appeal to the operator in time, you may lose the chance to appeal to POPLA or the IAS, which are free and independent.
3. Debt collection letters. The charge may be passed to a debt collection agency. A debt collector can ask you to pay but has no power to make you.
4. A letter of claim. Before going to court, the operator should send a letter of claim under the court's pre-action rules for debt claims, with a reply form. You normally have 30 days to reply.
5. A county court claim. If it's still unpaid, the operator can issue a claim. GOV.UK says you must respond by the date on the claim, and that you may have to pay more or get a county court judgment (CCJ) if you don't.
6. A CCJ and enforcement. Only after a court judgment that you don't pay can enforcement agents (bailiffs) be used.

At any stage before a judgment, you can still pay or dispute the charge. The earlier you deal with it, the more options you have.

What to do instead

If you have grounds to appeal

Appeal to the operator in writing, within the deadline on the notice, and keep a copy. If it says no, you can appeal free to POPLA or the IAS. Common grounds include unclear signs, a payment or permit that wasn't recorded, being charged within the grace period, and the operator not following the rules for holding the keeper liable. Our guide to appealing a private parking charge explains how, and our POPLA guide covers the next step.

If the charge is fair

Paying early is usually cheapest. Operators typically offer a reduced amount if you pay within 14 days of the charge being issued.

If you receive court papers

Don't ignore them, even if you think the claim is wrong. Respond by the date shown. GOV.UK says you can ask for another 14 days if you're not paying the full amount. Consider getting free advice from Citizens Advice.

When the registered keeper can be held liable

The operator usually doesn't know who was driving. Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, it can only hold the registered keeper liable instead of the driver if it follows strict rules. These include delivering its Notice to Keeper within set time limits:

• where no ticket was put on the car (for example, camera or ANPR car parks), within 14 days, starting the day after the parking ended
• where a ticket was put on the car, in the 28 days after the first 28 days since that ticket

If the operator missed these rules, that can be a ground of appeal. But it's a reason to appeal, not a reason to ignore the charge.