Pay or Appeal Kensington and Chelsea PCN? Quick Guide
Did Kensington and Chelsea Council give you a penalty charge notice (PCN)? Many people are in the same boat. In fact, more than 32,000 people each month come to this site for guidance on tickets and fines. There’s no need to be scared or puzzled; we’re here to help.
In this easy guide, we’ll explain:
- What a Kensington and Chelsea PCN is and why you might get one.
- How to fight a PCN and maybe not pay it.
- If a penalty charge is the same as a parking charge.
- The cost of a Kensington and Chelsea PCN.
- What happens if you do not pay your PCN.
We have a lot of experience with cases just like yours, so we know it’s not nice to get a PCN, and we want to help you. Let’s dive in and learn more about your Kensington and Chelsea PCN.
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.
Chat below to get started with JustAnswer
In partnership with Just Answer.
Is a penalty charge the same as a parking charge?
No. A penalty charge notice is a fine issued by local authorities, the police and Transport Agency for minor offences. Whether parking or traffic. A PCN falls under UK law.
An authority doesn’t have to start legal proceedings to recover a fine.
A parking charge notice is an invoice raised by an operator for not abiding by their rules. In short, a private operator chases you for the money, but they cannot legally demand you pay.
Only a court can order you to pay a parking charge notice!
What’s the cost of a Kensington and Chelsea PCN?
The cost of getting a Kensington and Chelsea PCN depends on the seriousness of the offence. In short, the fine could be £80, but if the violation is serious, the damage could be £130.
However, you pay half when you pay the penalty within 14 days!
How to avoid paying Kensington and Chelsea PCN
If you want to avoid paying a Kensington and Chelsea PCN 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.
Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.
Should you challenge a Kensington and Chelsea PCN?
You can challenge the PCN when you feel it’s wrong or unfair. But the process is different depending on how you got the fine.
You can make an informal appeal when you get the penalty charge from a Civil Enforcement Officer (CE). Otherwise known as a traffic or parking warden. Plus, you must appeal online within 14 days of the fine being issued.
The council puts things on hold when you file an appeal until they decide. If the authority accepts your appeal, the council cancels the PCN.
But if the council rejects your appeal, all is not lost!
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 should you do if you’re unhappy with the council’s decision?
If you don’t accept the council’s decision to reject your appeal, wait for the Notice to Owner to arrive. Then you can make a ‘formal representation’. But there’s a downside: you won’t get the chance to pay the reduced amount.
So, what happens when you make a formal representation?
Once you get the Notice to the Owner, you can file your formal representation. However, the notice is sent to the registered keeper and nobody else. It includes a form which lists grounds for challenging the PCN.
The council considers your formal representations and could cancel the fine if they uphold it. However, you’ll get a Notice of Rejection if the representation is rejected. If you’re the registered keeper, that is!
The rejection notice should include information on how to pay the full fine within 28 days. Plus, information on how to escalate things to an independent adjudicator (London Tribunals).
The independent adjudicator’s decision is final!
Should you file a Kensington and Chelsea PCN appeal?
It depends if you have solid grounds for challenging the PCN. If you think your evidence is strong enough to cancel the fine, it could be worth the time and effort.
But it could be worth paying when you deserve the PCN, and you’d rather not have the hassle of contesting things. That said, the fine amount is halved when you pay within 14 days. Plus, it’s better than having to pay the full amount!
Thanks for reading my article on whether it’s worth filing a Kensington and Chelsea PCN appeal. I hope the post gave you food for thought!
Do you have to declare a penalty charge notice to insurance?
No. The good news is you don’t have to tell most motor insurance providers about a penalty charge notice. Insurers are only interested in traffic accidents.
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Should I pay a Kensington and Chelsea PCN straight away?
No. First, check the PCN’s details to make sure they’re correct. Also, check what date you received the penalty charge. You have 28 days to pay the fine without the authority taking the matter further.
But if you pay within 14 days, you’ll pay the discounted amount, which is always worth considering, especially when you deserve the fine!
What if you don’t pay a Kensington and Chelsea PCN?
The fine increases by 50% when you don’t pay the penalty charge within the 28-day deadline. Once you get a Charge Certificate in the post, that’s it. After that, you’ll have to pay extra!
Moreover, you’ll only have 14 days to pay the fine, which could be as much as £195.
What happens when you ignore a Kensington and Chelsea PCN?
Things get a lot more expensive when you ignore a penalty charge notice. The council could request that a Court Order be issued, which you shouldn’t ignore.
Things escalate, and enforcement officers (bailiffs) could soon knock on your door. But, unfortunately, it means more paying fees on top of the penalty charge!
So, how do you pay a Kensington and Chelsea PCN?
Paying a Kensington and Chelsea PCN is relatively hassle-free. You can opt to pay by:
- Calling 020 7361 4380 using a credit card or debit card
- Visiting the council’s website and paying the penalty charge online
You’ll have to have your vehicle registration number and PCN number on hand when you pay the fine.
What if you lose a Kensington and Chelsea PCN?
Don’t worry if you lose a Kensington and Chelsea PCN; don’t waste time looking for it! Instead, contact the council and ask them for the details. That said, only registered keepers can get the information from the council!
Hire a Parking Solicitor for less than a coffee.
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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