Should I Pay or Appeal Smart Parking Fine? Know Your Rights
Have you received a parking ticket from Smart Parking? It can feel worrying, but there’s no need to panic. Each month, over 32,000 people visit this site for advice on tickets and fines.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Who Smart Parking is and why you might get a fine from them
- The rules about parking on private land
- How to challenge your ticket and win
- What to do if Smart Parking doesn’t accept your appeal
- If you should pay your fine within 14 days
We understand your concerns about paying fines and the fear of legal action if the ticket is not paid. But we’re here to give you the information you need to make the right choice.
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.
Why would you get a Smart Parking fine?
You’d get a fine because you failed to follow the operator’s ‘rules’ when using a car park. For example, the Terms & Conditions must be clearly sign-posted at a car park entrance, and you’re supposed to stop and read them!
The operator could issue you with a fine for the following infringements:
- You didn’t pay to park
- You left your car in a bay designated for families with children or the disabled
- You overstayed the amount of time you paid for
- You parked badly over two bays instead of one
- You left your car overnight in a car park when it’s not permitted
Should you pay a Smart Parking fine within 14 days?
Only pay a Smart Parking fine within 14 days when you’re sure the parking charge is yours, and it’s been correctly served.
Once you’re satisfied, the fine is yours. Paying the parking charge within two weeks means you pay a discounted amount. The fine could be up to 40% less than the original fine!
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.
Should you appeal a Smart Parking fine, and when?
You have 28 days to appeal a Smart Parking fine. But appealing against a parking fine within 14 days could be a better option. For example, if your appeal is rejected, you may still get to pay 40% less than the original fine.
What reasons could you have to appeal a Smart Parking fine?
You could appeal a Smart Parking fine for the following reasons:
- You were sent the parking fine through the post more than 14 days after the alleged parking infringement
- You parked correctly, and therefore no infringement was committed
- The signage was unclear or missing, as were the road markings
- The parking charge you received was over the capped amount
- A medical emergency prevented you from getting back to your vehicle on time
- You didn’t own the vehicle when the parking charge was served
- You had broken down
- The operator failed to give you a grace period before serving the parking charge
- There were no signs indicating CCTV was in operation, yet you got the parking charge in the post
Does Smart Parking have to give you a 10-mins grace period?
Yes. Smart Parking should allow you 10 minutes grace before issuing a parking ticket. The operator is part of the British Parking Association (BPA) and must follow a code of practice.
When a parking charge is served before the grace period has expired, you could have the charge cancelled!
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.
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What’s the Smart Parking appeals process?
You have two options when appealing a parking fine. You could:
- Fill out an online appeal to challenge a Smart Parking fine, or
- Write to the operator and send the appeal registered post
You must provide valid reasons for contesting the parking charge notice because, without proof, the operator won’t consider your appeal.
» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer
How to avoid paying Smart parking tickets
If you want to avoid paying a Smart 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.
Can you ignore a Smart Parking fine?
You could ignore a Smart Parking fine, but it could be an expensive decision. Firstly, the operator could start legal proceedings against you. Or Smart Parking could give your details to a debt collection agency to recover the amount you owe!
Dealing with a debt collector is never a pleasant experience, so I suggest you don’t let things get this far!
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.
In partnership with Just Answer.
