Should I Pay or Appeal my Regent Parking PCN?

Have you received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from Regent Parking? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Each month, over 32,000 people seek advice on tickets and fines. The process might seem scary, but we’re here to help.

In this article, we will talk about:

• Who Regent Parking is and what they do.
• Why a private parking fine is given.
• What a Parking Charge Notice is and what happens if you don’t pay.
• How to appeal against a Regent Parking fine.
• Important points to remember before you make your appeal.

We understand that receiving a PCN can be stressful. You might be worried about paying a fine or about the appeals process. That’s why we’re here to guide you. Sit back, relax, and let us help you understand how you can deal with your Regent Parking PCN.

Why Are You Issued a Private Parking Fine

Private parking fines are issued by private parking companies such as Regent Parking for violations of parking regulations on private property. Private property includes shopping centres, supermarkets, hospitals, and other private properties.

Private parking rules vary from location to location, and the motorist is responsible for understanding and following them. I have listed some common reasons why Regent Parking might issue you a parking fine.

• Parking in a prohibited area – This includes parking in a space reserved for staff, disabled drivers, or any other restricted areas.
• Overstaying the permitted time – Many private car parks have a maximum stay limit, and if you exceed this time, you may be issued a fine.
• Not purchasing a valid ticket – If you don’t buy a ticket where required, or if your ticket has expired, you may be issued a fine.
• Incorrectly displaying a parking ticket – If you have a valid ticket but it’s not displayed correctly, you may still be fined.
• Parking outside of a marked bay – If you park your vehicle outside the designated parking bays, you may be fined.

Making an Appeal Against a Regent Parking Fine

If you believe you have been wrongly issued a parking charge notice by Regent Parking, you have the right to appeal. I really do recommend you try this, as a large percentage of private parking fine appeals are successful. I’ve explained the steps you should take, below.

• Read the PCN carefully – Make sure you understand why the PCN was issued and the grounds on which you can appeal. The PCN should include details of the alleged parking offence, the amount of the fine, and information on how to appeal.
• Gather evidence – Collect any evidence that supports your appeal. This could include photographs of the parking area, your parking ticket, or any other relevant documents. For example, photographs that show you were issued the fine without the company observing the 5-minute rule.
• Check the deadline – Make sure you know the deadline for submitting an appeal. This is usually within 28 days of the date the PCN was issued, but it may vary, so check the PCN for details.
• Submit your appeal – Submit your appeal to Regent Parking. This should be done in writing (you can use a standard letter template), either by post or email. Include your PCN number, vehicle registration number, and any supporting evidence. Clearly explain why you believe the PCN was wrongly issued.
• Consider the response – If your appeal is accepted, the PCN will be cancelled, and you will not need to take any further action. If your appeal is rejected, you will need to decide whether to pay the fine or take the matter further.

If you are not satisfied with the response from Regent Parking, you can escalate your appeal to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). Be aware that if your appeal is rejected by the Independent Appeals Service, you will be required to pay the fine, and it may not be possible to take the matter any further.

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

If you don’t pay a private parking fine issued to you by Regent Parking, you may find the company begins legal action to try and get you to pay. I’ve explained what might happen, below.

• Reminder notices – You will likely receive reminder notices, encouraging you to pay the fine. These notices may also include additional administrative fees.
• Debt collection – If you do not pay the fine after receiving reminder notices, the debt may be passed on to a debt collection agency. This agency will then contact you to recover the money owed. This may also include additional fees and could have a negative impact on your credit score.
• Legal action – If the debt collection agency is unsuccessful in recovering the debt, Regent Parking may choose to take legal action against you. This could involve taking you to the small claims court. If the court rules in favour of Regent Parking, you may be required to pay the original fine plus any additional legal costs incurred.
• Increased costs – The longer you leave the fine unpaid, the more it may cost you in the long run, due to additional administrative fees, debt collection fees, and potential legal costs.