Pay or Appeal Horizon Parking Fine? Know Your Rights
Have you received a parking fine from Horizon Parking? If so, you’re not alone. Over 32,000 people visit this site each month for guidance on parking tickets and fines. It can be a worrying and confusing time, but we’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll share with you:
- The reasons why Horizon Parking issues parking fines.
- How to avoid paying these fines.
- The difference between a parking charge and a penalty charge notice.
- How to appeal and possibly beat your ticket.
- The steps to take if your appeal is rejected.
We understand that getting a parking fine can be stressful, as we’ve offered guidance to lots of people in a similar situation. Let’s dive in and learn how you can deal with your Horizon Parking fine.
Do You Have to Pay?
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your fine.
It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.
Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.
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Why does Horizon Parking issue parking fines?
Horizon is a car park management company. Landowners authorise the companies to issue fines for parking infringements on their sites. So, if you fail to follow the T&Cs when using a Horizon-managed car park, you’ll likely be fined!
Horizon is part of the British Parking Association (BPA) and should follow a code when issuing parking charges. The operator provides parking solutions to more than 2,500 clients throughout the UK.
You’ll find that Horizon-managed sites often use ANPR to record when you arrive and leave a car park. Like this, the operator keeps track of motorists who overstay an allotted time.
That said, Horizon also has parking attendants on some sites they manage for private landowners.
Should you appeal a Horizon parking fine?
Yes. You can dispute the fine if you feel you didn’t break the rules when using a Horizon-managed car park. However, you must follow the correct procedure when you appeal a Horizon parking fine.
Make sure you have a good excuse when you dispute the fine because the operator won’t consider your appeal if you don’t.
You must provide the following information when you appeal the charge online:
- Your vehicle registration number – VRN
- The parking charge reference number
- A valid reason to have the charge cancelled
Successful Appeal Case Study
Situation
| Initial Fine | £100 |
| Additional Fees | £171 |
| Total Fine | £271 |
The Appeal Process
Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.
| Total Fine | £271 |
| Cost of legal advice | £5 |
JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.
Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.
In partnership with Just Answer.
What’s a valid reason for appealing a Horizon parking fine?
There are several reasons why you could have a Horizon parking fine cancelled which I’ve listed below:
- You parked correctly and paid the required fee
- The parking charge arrived in the post over 14 days after you’re supposed to have committed an infringement
- You got the parking charge in the mail, but there were no signs indicating CCTV was in operation in the car park
- The operator failed to give you a grace period before issuing the parking charge
- The road markings and signs in the car park were unclear or missing
- You didn’t own the car when the parking charge was issued
- You couldn’t return to your car because of a medical emergency
The operator should consider your appeal when you can prove you have a good reason to dispute a parking charge. Moreover, the operator can’t take the matter any further when you appeal a parking ticket. Until they decide to reject or accept your appeal, that is!
What is meant by 10-minute grace?
Private car park management companies like Horizon should allow you 10 minutes before issuing a parking fine. If an operator issues a parking charge before the ten minutes have expired, you could argue the fine should be cancelled.
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How long do you have to appeal a Horizon parking fine?
You have up to 28 days to appeal a Horizon parking fine. But you can appeal much earlier, which is always worth considering. For example, when you appeal within two weeks, you could still get to pay a lesser fine if the operator rejects it!
You’ll have to pay the full amount when you wait 28 days and your appeal is rejected.
What happens after Horizon rejects your appeal against a parking fine?
Horizon informs you in writing that your appeal is rejected. However, that’s not the end of an appeals process. You can take the matter further, and the operator must let you know how in their rejection letter.
As Horizon is with the British Parking Association, you can escalate your appeal to the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA). It’s an independent appeals service that’s free of charge!
When you appeal to POPLA, the operator can’t chase you for the money until the appeals service comes back with a decision. Plus, their decision is final and legally binding. So, if the appeals service rules the parking charge should be cancelled, Horizon must conform.
But if POPLA decides you’ll have to pay, you’ll have no choice but to pay the full parking charge!
How to avoid paying Horizon parking tickets
If you want to avoid paying a Horizon parking ticket then you’ll need an airtight appeal.
The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.
You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.
For £5 it’s actually amazing value. Chat with them below.
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Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.
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Should you ignore a Horizon parking fine?
No. It’s not a good idea to ignore a Horizon parking fine. The operator could chase you through a small claims court for payment. Moreover, Horizon may instruct a debt collection agency to recover the amount owed!
You should either appeal the charge or pay it, but never ignore it!
Do you need to pay a Horizon Parking fine?
It depends. You could challenge the parking charge because you have a good reason to have it cancelled. Or you could pay the fine within 14 days, so you pay a discounted amount. This could be up to 40% less than the original fine, which is always something to consider.
The one mistake you shouldn’t make is to ignore a Horizon Parking fine because things get messy! For example, Horizon could instruct a debt collector to recover the amount you owe.
In a worst-case scenario, if you ignore a court order to pay, bailiffs could visit your home!
Thanks for taking the time to read this post about Horizon Parking fines. I hope the information is helpful and helps you decide whether to pay or appeal the fine!
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If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea.
Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.
For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.
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