Should I Pay or Appeal my Parking Awareness Services PCN?

Have you received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from Parking Awareness Services? Maybe you’re feeling a bit worried or confused. Well, don’t fret. Every month, over 32,000 people come to this website for help with tickets and fines.

In this easy-to-understand guide, we will lead you through:

• Who Parking Awareness Services are and what they do.
• The ins and outs of a Parking Charge Notice.
• Why Parking Awareness Services might give you a PCN.
• How to contact Parking Awareness Services.
• How to make an appeal if you think your ticket is not fair.

Our team knows how you might be feeling, and we’re here to support you. So, take a deep breath, and let’s dive in to understand how you can handle your Parking Awareness Services PCN.

Why Does Parking Awareness Issue a Parking Charge Notice

If a parking offence is committed while parking on private property, Parking Awareness issues a parking charge notice. These kinds of fines have their own rules and regulations to follow, which are different from the standard Penalty Charge Notice or parking ticket issued by the local authority. Parking operators have a certain amount of time to issue a parking charge notice based on the type of notice they use, the laws they follow, and the codes of practice that apply.

As with other private parking operators, Parking Awareness manages parking on private property, including shopping centres, supermarkets, and private car parks. Parking charge notices are issued to ensure that all users of the parking facility comply with the terms and conditions outlined by the landowner or managing organisation. In order to prevent unauthorised use, ensure the availability of parking spaces, and manage the parking space efficiently.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

Parking Charge Notices Are Not Legally Enforceable

Parking charge notices are issued for various reasons, mostly related to violations of private parking terms and conditions. Some common reasons for being issued a parking charge notice include:

• Parking outside a designated parking bay.
• Not adhering to the terms and conditions of the parking area.
• Not leaving within the 10-minute grace period provided by parking operators who are members of an accredited trade association.
• Parking in a restricted area.
• Overstaying the maximum permitted time.
• Not displaying a valid parking ticket or permit.

How to Appeal to Parking Awareness

There is a process you have to follow to appeal against a private parking fine issued by Parking Awareness Services, and I have explained this, below.

• Gather evidence – Take pictures of the area where you parked, the signage, the parking ticket, and any other relevant evidence.
• Check the details – Ensure that all details on the ticket are correct. If there are any mistakes, this may work in your favour.
• Know your grounds for appeal – There are several grounds for appealing a private parking fine. Some common ones include:
  • The signage was inadequate or unclear.
  • The parking charge is excessive or not in line with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 or the British Parking Association’s (BPA) code of practice.
  • You were not the owner or keeper of the vehicle at the time of the offence.
  • You subsequently found a lost parking ticket.
• Contact the parking company –  You will usually need to contact the parking company within 28 days of receiving the parking notice. The appeal process will vary slightly from company to company but will typically involve filling out an appeals form, either online or by post, and providing any evidence you have gathered. You can use an appeal letter template for this.
• Appeal to an independent adjudicator – If your appeal is rejected by the parking company, you can take your case to an independent adjudicator. The two main independent adjudicators for private parking fines in the UK are the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) and POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals). The parking company should provide you with details on how to appeal to an independent adjudicator when they inform you of their decision. Note that if you lose the appeal at this stage, you may be required to pay the full amount of the parking charge.

Join thousands of others who got legal help for a £5 trial

Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.

Get started

Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.

What Happens if You Don’t Pay a Private Parking Fine?

If you do not pay a private parking fine (and it doesn’t expire), the private parking company can add late fees and take court action, potentially involving bailiffs to enforce your fine. Landowners or companies have the right to request the DVLA’s information about the keeper or registered user of the vehicle and issue a notice to them. After the notice is sent you can pay the private parking ticket within 28 days, and the problem is resolved.

A private parking fine is not the same as a penalty charge notice or fine issued by the police or local council. Private parking fines are essentially invoices and are usually unenforceable. The fine can be disputed if you feel it is unfair, and the Parking on Private Land Appeals service (POPLA) or Independent Appeals Service (IAS) can be used if the private company ignores or rejects your appeal.

Contacting Parking Awareness

Parking Awareness Services can be contacted in a number of ways, as I explain below.

• Firstly, you can contact them by post at: Parking Awareness Services Limited, Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA.
• Secondly, you can email the company at: [email protected]
• Lastly, the company has an online payment and appeals portal that you can use.

Please note that the company provides no telephone number for public contact. I find this contemptible, and it is a certain indication that this is a private parking farm that doesn’t really care about us, the customers.