ParkForce - parking outside a university residence

metal_bar_dude · 13th November 2007, 19:36

Hey all, I've been reading through the forums for about an hour now, as for the first time in my life I received a parking ticket. There seems to be an agreement about these companies claiming a fair charge (if there is one), rather than the flouted price like the whole bank charges thing.

anyway my story... I'm first year at uni and so living at halls. I took my car to uni today because I had furniture etc which wasn't exactly convenient to bring up on a train.

So after parking for probably no more than 15 minutes, I saw from my window one of our security guys here looking into my car so I went down to see what he was doing and then realized he was writing out a ticket... I tried to plead my case, as I was allowed to park here on my first day to unload my stuff.

But he said it was already written out and that i'd have to pay. On the first day (when all the students/parents here were parked/unloading during the day etc), he said, if I was leaving the car unattended then I should of put it in the pay and display... which is ridiculous, because everyone was unloading (hence, leaving there car to take it to the room)... like today.

But from the little amount of reading I've done here there's a few things which made me think about it's legality....

1 - the security guard -handed- me the ticket, he didn't put it on the car
2 - are security guards allowed to issue parking tickets??
3 - is being charged £60 MINIMUM even legal...? (goes to £85 in 14 days)
4 - other people in this block have had their girlfriends/boyfriends park their cars outside overnight and one even two days straight before - yet no ticket. is there something time wise on which I can appeal?
5 - the ticket doesn't say the security guys name & where the offense took place. just my car details, time, date and details of the offense.

I'm going to continue reading, but if anyone can lend an educated word... I would be SO grateful, because I can't afford to just lose £60.

Cheers

Michael Browne · 13th November 2007, 19:39

Have a read here:
Parking Tickets - Private: Everything You Need to Know
Private Parking Companies/Charges - Advice Paper (everything you need to know)
Parking Tickets - Private: Template Letters
Private Parking Tickets - Template Letters

metal_bar_dude · 13th November 2007, 20:36

thanks for your response, I've given the posts a huge read, but still can't find something relevant to my given situation.

the sign outside here (unbeknown to myself) says no parking full stop, so I couldn't pay a machine to top up and so be able to argue I could pay damages which are reasonable... or know how I would try and fight this.

and as I sit here typing, I look down upon the 4 cars outside now parking in the "no parking" zone.

metal_bar_dude · 13th November 2007, 20:46

and hypothetically... if I was to pursue this and ask it to be removed/stopped etc. if it ended up going to court and i lost... would I get a CCJ or something??

green_and_mean · 13th November 2007, 21:24

Just ignore it and if they carry on harrasing you take it up with the University.

metal_bar_dude · 13th November 2007, 21:51

does the university have the power to stop it then??? I would just like to get it off my mind when I've got to worry/revise my butt off for exams in 3 weeks time

MilkTrayMan · 13th November 2007, 22:29

Personally, I'd check out the situation with your Student Union.
This may be a Campus wide policy that the SU can have some influence in perhaps changing.
...Or at least negotiating something on your behalf.
That is what they are there for!

If U owe the University any money for ANYTHING, they WILL withhold your Results.

green_and_mean · 13th November 2007, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by metal_bar_dude

does the university have the power to stop it then??? I would just like to get it off my mind when I've got to worry/revise my butt off for exams in 3 weeks time

If its on Uni property the security co. work for the Uni so they can intervene. The 'fine' is probably unenforceable any way but may depend on any paperwork or contracts you have from the uni. If it says for example in your Halls lease you risk a fine for parking outside they may have a case to get some money out of you but there must be a student advice service who can help you sort this out.

metal_bar_dude · 14th November 2007, 00:02

I'll try and get some advice through my available channels then, thanks everyone! I had a read through my terms and conditions of renting, didn't specify anything to do with parking. However, I found on a sheet which I got given on my first day that my court doesn't permit it, but then on another sheet it says were supposed to for our first day as to not walk our belongings half way over campus.

so some unclarity there.....

MilkTrayMan: The fine is payable to ParkForce - so I don't think its financially tied in with the uni. however, I do owe 60p in library fines..

MilkTrayMan · 14th November 2007, 00:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by metal_bar_dude

MilkTrayMan: The fine is payable to ParkForce - so I don't think its financially tied in with the uni. however, I do owe 60p in library fines..

Hey dude...Chill
Have known plenty who have ended up with such 'trivial' nasty suprises if forgotten about come promogulation...MYSELF included!
ANYTHING means ANYTHING!
ex-Student Officer speaking here...

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