Rachel Robson shows you how to fight back against parking fines and appeal against unfair parking tickets.
This is a script of a lovemoney.com video. Instead of reading it, why not watch the video instead? You can find the video here.
'm Rachel Robson for lovemoney.com and in today's Make your money go further video, I'm going to look at how you can appeal against receiving a parking ticket.
Can you appeal?
There's nothing worse than getting back to your car to discover you've got a parking ticket sitting on your windscreen.
However, if you've received an official parking ticket from a local council, and you think it's been issued unfairly, you may have a case to appeal.
For example, if the signs or road markings in the area were unclear, confusing, or obscured, you may have a case. Similarly, if you did buy a ticket or parking permit but didn't display it, you should be able to appeal.
It's also worth checking whether you have been fined too much. Fines issued outside of London should be between forty and sixty pounds. If it's within London, they should be between eighty and one hundred and twenty pounds. If the amount is over this, you can appeal.
You can also appeal if your ticket fails to mention the size of the fine, the reason for the ticket, the date, or how to pay the charge.
And of course, if your car was stolen at the time you received the parking ticket, you also have the right to appeal.
How to appeal
To start your appeal, take photographs as evidence. So if there are unclear road signs or road markings, make sure you get snapping.
You should also gather together any paperwork as further evidence - such as a crime reference number if your car was stolen, witness statements, or a doctor's note if you were ill at the time.
Make copies of all correspondence and important documents and then send all of this to the authority that issued the ticket.
You should be able to find the address on the ticket or on the local council's website.
Final steps
If your ticket was stuck to your car window, your first appeal will be classed as informal. If you received your ticket in the post, or if your informal appeal is rejected, your complaint will move to the formal process.
If this is then rejected, you can send your case on to an independent tribunal for free. Make sure you include all previous correspondence, as well as all rejection letters from the council.
This may sound like a lot of hassle but it really could be worth it! Good luck.
That's it from me today. Thanks for watching and see you next time.
This is a script of a lovemoney.com video. Instead of reading it, why not watch the video instead? You can find the video here.