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    • further polished WS using above suggestions and also included couple of more modifications highlighted in orange are those ok to include?   Background   1.1  The Defendant received the Parking Charge Notice (PCN) on the 06th of January 2020 following the vehicle being parked at Arla Old Dairy, South Ruislip on the 05th of December 2019.   Unfair PCN   2.1  On 19th December 2023 the Defendant sent the Claimant's solicitors a CPR request.  As shown in Exhibit 1 (pages 7-13) sent by the solicitors the signage displayed in their evidence clearly shows a £60.00 parking charge notice (which will be reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days of issue).  2.2  Yet the PCN sent by the Claimant is for a £100.00 parking charge notice (reduced to £60 if paid within 30 days of issue).   2.3        The Claimant relies on signage to create a contract.  It is unlawful for the Claimant to write that the charge is £60 on their signs and then send demands for £100.    2.4        The unlawful £100 charge is also the basis for the Claimant's Particulars of Claim.  No Locus Standi  3.1  I do not believe a contract with the landowner, that is provided following the defendant’s CPR request, gives MET Parking Services a right to bring claims in their own name. Definition of “Relevant contract” from the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4,  2 [1] means a contract Including a contract arising only when the vehicle was parked on the relevant land between the driver and a person who is-   (a) the owner or occupier of the land; or   (b) Authorised, under or by virtue of arrangements made by the owner or occupier of the land, to enter into a contract with the driver requiring the payment of parking charges in respect of the parking of the vehicle on the land. According to https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/44   For a contract to be valid, it requires a director from each company to sign and then two independent witnesses must confirm those signatures.   3.2  The Defendant requested to see such a contract in the CPR request.  The fact that no contract has been produced with the witness signatures present means the contract has not been validly executed. Therefore, there can be no contract established between MET Parking Services and the motorist. Even if “Parking in Electric Bay” could form a contract (which it cannot), it is immaterial. There is no valid contract.  Illegal Conduct – No Contract Formed   4.1 At the time of writing, the Claimant has failed to provide the following, in response to the CPR request from myself.   4.2        The legal contract between the Claimant and the landowner (which in this case is Standard Life Investments UK) to provide evidence that there is an agreement in place with landowner with the necessary authority to issue parking charge notices and to pursue payment by means of litigation.   4.3 Proof of planning permission granted for signage etc under the Town and country Planning Act 1990. Lack of planning permission is a criminal offence under this Act and no contract can be formed where criminality is involved.   4.4        I also do not believe the claimant possesses these documents.   No Keeper Liability   5.1        The defendant was not the driver at the time and date mentioned in the PCN and the claimant has not established keeper liability under schedule 4 of the PoFA 2012. In this matter, the defendant puts it to the claimant to produce strict proof as to who was driving at the time.   5.2 The claimant in their Notice To Keeper also failed to comply with PoFA 2012 Schedule 4 section 9[2][f] while mentioning “the right to recover from the keeper so much of that parking charge as remains unpaid” where they did not include statement “(if all the applicable conditions under this Schedule are met)”.     5.3         The claimant did not mention parking period, times on the photographs are separate from the PCN and in any case are that arrival and departure times not the parking period since their times include driving to and from the parking space as a minimum and can include extra time to allow pedestrians and other vehicles to pass in front.    Protection of Freedoms Act 2012   The notice must -   (a) specify the vehicle, the relevant land on which it was parked and the period of parking to which the notice relates;  22. In the persuasive judgement K4GF167G - Premier Park Ltd v Mr Mathur - Horsham County Court – 5 January 2024 it was on this very point that the judge dismissed this claim.  5.4  A the PCN does not comply with the Act the Defendant as keeper is not liable.  No Breach of Contract   6.1       No breach of contract occurred because the PCN and contract provided as part of the defendant’s CPR request shows different post code, PCN shows HA4 0EY while contract shows HA4 0FY. According to PCN defendant parked on HA4 0EY which does not appear to be subject to the postcode covered by the contract.  6.2         The entrance sign does not mention anything about there being other terms inside the car park so does not offer a contract which makes it only an offer to treat,  Interest  7.1  It is unreasonable for the Claimant to delay litigation for  Double Recovery   7.2  The claim is littered with made-up charges.  7.3  As noted above, the Claimant's signs state a £60 charge yet their PCN is for £100.  7.4  As well as the £100 parking charge, the Claimant seeks recovery of an additional £70.  This is simply a poor attempt to circumvent the legal costs cap at small claims.  7.5 Since 2019, many County Courts have considered claims in excess of £100 to be an abuse of process leading to them being struck out ab initio. An example, in the Caernarfon Court in VCS v Davies, case No. FTQZ4W28 on 4th September 2019, District Judge Jones-Evans stated “Upon it being recorded that District Judge Jones- Evans has over a very significant period of time warned advocates (...) in many cases of this nature before this court that their claim for £60 is unenforceable in law and is an abuse of process and is nothing more than a poor attempt to go behind the decision of the Supreme Court v Beavis which inter alia decided that a figure of £160 as a global sum claimed in this case would be a penalty and not a genuine pre-estimate of loss and therefore unenforceable in law and if the practice continued, he would treat all cases as a claim for £160 and therefore a penalty and unenforceable in law it is hereby declared (…) the claim is struck out and declared to be wholly without merit and an abuse of process.”  7.6 In Claim Nos. F0DP806M and F0DP201T, District Judge Taylor echoed earlier General Judgment or Orders of District Judge Grand, stating ''It is ordered that the claim is struck out as an abuse of process. The claim contains a substantial charge additional to the parking charge which it is alleged the Defendant contracted to pay. This additional charge is not recoverabl15e under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4 nor with reference to the judgment in Parking Eye v Beavis. It is an abuse of process from the Claimant to issue a knowingly inflated claim for an additional sum which it is not entitled to recover. This order has been made by the court of its own initiative without a hearing pursuant to CPR Rule 3.3(4)) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998...''  7.7 In the persuasive case of G4QZ465V - Excel Parking Services Ltd v Wilkinson – Bradford County Court -2 July 2020 (Exhibit 4) the judge had decided that Excel had won. However, due to Excel adding on the £60 the Judge dismissed the case.  7.8        The addition of costs not previously specified on signage are also in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, Schedule 2, specifically paras 6, 10 and 14.   7.9        It is the Defendant’s position that the Claimant in this case has knowingly submitted inflated costs and thus the entire claim should be similarly struck out in accordance with Civil Procedure Rule 3.3(4).   In Conclusion   8.1        I invite the court to dismiss the claim.  Statement of Truth  I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.   
    • Well the difference is that in all our other cases It was Kev who was trying to entrap the motorist so sticking two fingers up to him and daring him to try court was from a position of strength. In your case, sorry, you made a mistake so you're not in the position of strength.  I've looked on Google Maps and the signs are few & far between as per Kev's MO, but there is an entrance sign saying "Pay & Display" (and you've admitted in writing that you knew you had to pay) and the signs by the payment machines do say "Sea View Car Park" (and you've admitted in writing you paid the wrong car park ... and maybe outed yourself as the driver). Something I missed in my previous post is that the LoC is only for one ticket, not two. Sorry, but it's impossible to definitively advise what to so. Personally I'd probably gamble on Kev being a serial bottler of court and reply with a snotty letter ridiculing the signage (given you mentioned the signage in your appeal) - but it is a gamble.  
    • No! What has happened is that your pix were up-to-date: 5 hours' maximum stay and £100 PCN. The lazy solicitors have sent ancient pictures: 4 hours' maximum stay and £60 PCN. Don't let on!  Let them be hoisted by their own lazy petard in the court hearing (if they don't bottle before).
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    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

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      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
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Yorkshire Water Plumbing & Drainage Insurancs


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Last friday I had the misfortune to have a water leak in the bathroom;so I dug out the Insurance policy which stated that we were covered for up to 2 claims per year, and if the plumber didnt arrive in 2 hours after making the call I could claim the premium back. I rang the number on the policy, it was a to a company called homeserve, that was at approx 2-45pm. At 6-45 the plumber arrived apologised for taking so long to get here, I showed him the leak which was in a cupboard. he then asked me if I had a torch so he could see it properly ( what kind of plumber doesnt have a torch ) He took one look at the leak and said he couldnt mend it has he did not have the appropriate part with him. He then rang his boss to tell him that he could not do the job and would have to come back on the monday. he also told him that that would make it 2 journeys and he would only get paid for one and he wasn't happy about it. He then asked me if he could borrow a knife ( what for I dont know ) so I had to leave leave the bathroom to get one. When I got back he said I've found another leak it was on a capping nut on another pipe it took him a matter of seconds to tighten it up. He then said his boss wanted to speak to me. his boss told me that as he had found a 2nd leak it would constitute another claim so I could not claim again on this policy.I said I think thats stupid he replied thats the way the policy works. the leak was fixed on Monday and no doubt the plumber gets paid for the 2 call outs.I have written a complaint letter to Homeserve. has anyone else experienced anything else like this

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I doubt that very much. If your w/machine breaks down, and the engineer find that the motor is gone, then sees that the coin trap is blocked, would that make it 2 claims? No. It is ONE occurrence of the w/machine breaking down. Or if you get burgled, is it 2 claims to have the door fixed AND your TV replaced? Of course not.

 

See what they reply to your letter first. Have a thorough read of your insurance docs as well to see what constitutes a claim according to them, and take it from there. It may be that you'll need to go to the Ombudsman for arbitration, or maybe not.

 

I would also cast some serious doubts on the 2nd leak, which you hadn't seen, although you obviously had had a good look at the pipes, and appeared quite by magic, with no proof beyond the plumber's word. "Oh, there was another leak, I've fixed it now"??? That stinks, IMO. A proper reputable plumber would have said: "there's another leak here, I'll show you, I'll sort it out now".

 

The more I think of it, the more I am dubious about the whole 2 claims thing. Double-check your policy wording, post it here if you need help.

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I received a phone phone call today from Homeserve's Customer Relations, they said they fully agree with my letter of complaint and as a result they will refund my premium of £64 and also cancel the second claim.

I think that was a good result, 12 months free plumbing & drainage insurance.

My faith in complaining has been retored

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  • 2 years later...

I have recently had to ask for HomeServe Plumbing and Drainage (as promoted to me by Yorkshire Water) to attend because of a leaking tank. I am a paid up member of several years standing.

 

I wasn't sure if I would be covered, but they told me that I was. Bearing in mind that they advertise a two-hour response time it is staggering that I have been waiting for a month for a response. (Will it ever end?)

 

I have called them innumerable times, waited in for non-existent personnel to make house calls that have not materialised. I have been lied to many times and each of the two companies that together call themselves 'HomeServe' blame the other.

 

If you value your mental health, DO NOT take up any insurance with HomeServe!!

 

My dealings with them are definitely having an adverse effect on my sanity.

 

Please heed my warning!!! I am not joking!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

As I'm in the industry discussed in this thread, there are a number of points:

 

1) Response times are designed to keep you hooked in. If they say it will take 2 weeks, you will go elsewhere. Legally, there is very little you can do unless you have a written appointment. Verbal indications of attendance can be dismissed (van broke down, on another job, etc etc)

 

2) If signing up to agreements such as Plumbing and Drainage cover, or heating cover, only do so with a company who is FSA regulated. The FSA come down very hard on those accredited if they make a mistake, and fines are massive. If you are with an FSA company (Homeserve is by the way), attempt to resolve cleanly first, and if no joy, send a letter advising of a reasonable (ie 14 days) timescale for expected resolution, or you will be informing of the FSA of their neglet of duty in "Treating CUstomers Fairly". This is the FSA buzzword of the moment, and guaranteed to get action.

 

3) Read the exclusions on your policy! You will certainly not be covered for every eventuality, but loopholes exist - mains supply water pipes being lead, not copper is a prime example. The insurer will not want to pay out for relaying pipework to current standard, then making your driveway nice and pretty if they can help it.

 

4) Home Emergency INsurance policies have a claim rate of 2-5%. Therefore for every 100 policies they sign up, only 5 will make a claim. Calculate how much you spend a year and times that by a hundred. Then times that amount by 5. Whats the difference (ie the PROFIT to the company)? SO do not make unreasonable demands, they will have factored in extraordinary claims.

 

5) Apart from home insurance covers, if you need a tradesperson - go local, and word of mouth is best by a long shot! Find the small advert in the yellow pages, on the web and ring them. The big nationals subcontract - they will pay the contractor the same as that contractor would charge you, but they charge you extra to pay for call centres, big glossy adverts, and of course, profit.

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Many thanks for your very helpful posting. What you say makes a lot of sense; basically they are only interested in fixing occasional minor problems, and it seems they have a well rehearsed system for fobbing you off if there is any real chance of having to do anything significant.

 

It has taken HomeServe a month of (still!) ongoing leak from the attic tank to tell me that I am not insured; if they had told me that on day one that would have been fine. The ceiling is now in a real mess, it has not YET collapsed!

 

Currently seeking arbitration from the Ombudsman, will invoke FSA, as you suggest, if no joy. I will indeed tell the FSA that HomeServe have failed completely to 'treat customers fairly'.

 

DEFINITELY the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with!! I have also written to Yorkshire Water as the package is labelled 'HomeServe with Yorkshire Water'. Surely Yorkshire Water should feel some responsibility?

 

HomeServe is bad for your health!!

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Hey Flying G,

 

You won't be alone in this scenario.

 

My best advice at this stage is to write a letter - not a rant - to Homeserve laying out in detail your grievances if you havent done so already.

 

Any records you have of who you spoke to and when will significantly help. So many people complain saying they spoke to someone or other on this day or that - the best company in the world will struggle to satisfy your issues if they cannot investigate fully.

 

Maybe a bit "after the horse is bolted", but any information you can give (check your phone bill?) will help. FSA regulated companies have to record calls for "training and monitoring purposes". Provide in detail that you registered the claim in good faith, and re-iterate what you have detailed in your last post - the lack of decisiveness in validating or repudiating your claim is not good customer service and is not a good example of "Treating Customers Fairly".

 

In this letter, you will need to detail what you expect from the company - be reasonable! Demanding £500 for "stress" will get you nowhere. Explaining you have spent £20 on calls before they rejected your claim (and being able to prove it), and all the while the fault worsened threatening the integrity of your property and possessions will be considered. Are you on a water meter? Recompense for this could be considered as well (again - be reasonable).

 

The FSA will be expecting this kind of information. Homeserve will have the "exclusion clause" to fall back on (and you agreed to this by the way), but the delay and threat to property is the area to focus on. Take photos! Photographic evidence (date stamped if your camera has this facility are highly recommended - I have seen complaints and thought that it was mountain out of a molehill, then seen photos and from a corporate perspective, freaked out!) is superb.

 

As for Yorkshire Water, you have very little recourse from them I would imagine. Your contract is with Homeserve - they have an agreement with every water authority to promote their service via the billing system and are not contracted by Yorkshire to undertake the policy. Its different to Home Insurance - Direct Line contract repair works out for example. Yorkshire just permit Homeserve to promote the policy through them (its kind of an unendorsed promotion - "not our problem, it was your choice to sign up"). It may have a cumulative effect if hundreds complained, but don't forget - you're lumbered with your water supplier. They are not incentivised to deliver superb customer service because you have no alternative, so you are likely to be palmed off I'm afraid.

 

Good luck with the Ombudsman. The "Treating Customers Fairly" route is your best course of action. The notion of "TCF" is a bain to the FSA Regulated!

 

All the Best!:) And sorry for the waffling reply:wink:

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  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks for you very helpful advice. Have now informed HomeServe that I will write to the FSA to inform them that I do not feel that I have been treated fairly.

 

I have only ever asked HomeServe that they honour their original promise to replace my small leaking plastic tank, but now with the added request that they make good the ceiling damaged by the delay. Surely it can't be that big a deal?

 

I have sent HomeServe a CD on which are the conversations that I recorded (not done that before but it did feel that I was being treated extremely badly!).

 

I wait with expectation!

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

I still believe HomeServe is bad for one's health!!

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