Popla Appeal Review – People’s Experiences

Have you been given a parking ticket and don’t know what to do next? This guide is here to help you. Every month, over 32,000 people come here to find answers about tickets and fines. It can be a bit scary but don’t worry.

In this guide, we’ll show you:

• Why you might get a Parking Charge Notice.
• The rules about parking on private land.
• How to deal with a parking ticket on private land.
• How to fight your ticket.
• How much a Parking Charge Notice could cost you.

Our team knows a lot about these things, as we’ve guided lots of people who were in your shoes. We know how it feels to get a parking ticket, and we’re here to help you. Let’s dive in and learn how to handle the situation.

How to avoid paying Popla parking tickets

If you want to avoid paying a Popla 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.

Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.

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When should you appeal a Parking Charge Notice?

You should appeal a parking ticket on private land when you feel it’s unfair. Moreover, car park management companies make mistakes. ANPR records things incorrectly which happens all too often.

The deadline to appeal against a parking ticket on private land is 28 days. Once the operator receives the appeal, no further action can be taken until a decision is made.

But it’s better to appeal earlier, say within two weeks. Not only does it stop the issuer from taking matters further, but it also means you pay a lesser fine if it’s rejected!

How does POPLA deal with an appeal?

There’s a process POPLA follows when you escalate your appeal which I’ve detailed here:

• You’re sent a verification code
• Gather evidence to support your appeal
• Submit an appeal to POPLA
• Monitor appeal progress
• Appeal decision

What are grounds for a POPLA appeal?

There are several recommended grounds for a POPLA appeal which I’ve listed here:

• The parking charge was issued when your vehicle had been stolen
• You paid the right fee to park and you parked correctly
• The amount of the parking charge seems exorbitant
• A serious incident prevented you from getting back to your vehicle – for example a medical emergency
• Your vehicle had broken down and you waiting for assistance

Are POPLA appeals successful?

POPLA publishes a report every year. According to the report published in 2021, there were 9,939 successful appeals compared to 38,777 which were rejected. As such, the percentage of rejected appeals far outreaches those which are upheld.

What do people say about POPLA’s service?

I’ve included a tally of reviews provided by motorists who escalated their appeals to POPLA here:

Source: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/popla.co.uk

How long will a POPLA appeal take?

It takes around six to eight weeks for POPLA to decide on appeals. It takes longer if you appeal in writing by post through.

The bonus in escalating an appeal to POPLA is that it gains you some time!

Can you alter a POPLA appeal?

No. You can’t alter or amend your appeal once you submit it to POPLA. So, make sure you prepare your appeal before sending it in. Once it’s submitted, you can’t add any further information or evidence!

If your appeal to POPLA meets with success, the issuer must cancel the charge against you. However, if your appeal is rejected by POPLA, you have a further 28 days to pay the full amount.

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Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.

Can you contest a POPLA decision?

No. POPLA’s decision is final. The only route you could take is to begin legal action against the issuer but this would be extremely costly!

What happens after an appeal is rejected?

The operator must let you know what to do when your appeal is rejected. You’d get a letter of rejection that should include your options. These are:

• To pay the full fine
• To escalate your appeal

When the operator is a recognised member of the British Parking Association (BPA), you’d escalate your appeal to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals). However, many motorists find that POPLA rejects their appeals. I’ve included an example of such a case here:

Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5440069/help-please-popla-rejected-my-appeal

Can you ignore a parking ticket on private land?

No. Although a parking ticket on private land is not immediately enforceable, you could face court proceedings if you ignore a parking charge notice. A debt collector could get involved which means you’d have to deal with them, rather than the operator.

It’s best to appeal the parking charge or to pay it. Moreover, if you can, you should appeal or pay the charge within two weeks. First, when you appeal within 14 days and the issuer rejects it, you pay the reduced amount.

Second, if you pay the charge within two weeks, the operator must reduce the amount. So, you’d pay 40% less than the original fine.

How can you contact POPLA?

I’ve listed the various ways you can contact POPLA here.