How to beat Total Car Parks parking tickets
Overview
Total Car Parks is a private car park management company that has been operating for over 10 years. The controlling shareholder is Mohammad Eslamian, who also runs a property company – Portia Group. Their registered office is in Colchester, Essex, although the fancily titled ‘Suite 255 Communication House’ is actually just a postbox in the local Mailboxes Etc office, which may give you an indication of the sort of company this is!
The headquarters of Total Car Park Management!
The company offers a range of parking services, although their main business is parking enforcement. They operate Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor car park usage and enforce parking regulations, allowing them to automatically issue tickets for overstays.
Total Car Parks is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA). The BPA is a trade association for the UK parking and traffic management industry, representing a wide range of organizations involved in parking operations, including car park operators, local authorities, and equipment suppliers. As a member of the BPA, Total Car Parks must adhere to a code of practice that sets out the standards of professionalism and conduct expected from its members. This includes a commitment to fair and transparent enforcement practices, the provision of accurate information to customers, and the prompt handling of complaints and appeals.
Where they operate
Total Car Parks manages car parks across the UK and provides parking management services to a variety of sectors, including retail, leisure, healthcare, education, and transportation. They have partnerships with Co-Op, Royal Berkshire NHS, Empire Cinema, British Ports, and Pets Corne
Do they issue fines?
Total Car Parks issues private tickets to drivers who park on their car parks and violate parking regulations. These tickets are typically issued through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that monitor car park usage and capture the registration numbers of vehicles entering and leaving the car park.
When a driver parks on a Total Car Parks car park and violates parking regulations, such as parking without a valid permit or exceeding the time limit, they may receive a private ticket. This ticket will usually be issued by post and will include a photograph of the vehicle and a description of the violation.
It is important to note that private tickets issued by Total Car Parks are not fines, but rather a request for payment of a contractual charge for the breach of the terms and conditions of parking on their car park. Private tickets are not backed by law and are not the same as fines issued by the police or local authorities.
What should you do if you receive a ticket?
If you receive a private ticket from Total Car Parks, there are several steps you can take:
- Check the ticket: Read the ticket carefully and ensure that the details are accurate. Check the date, time, and location of the alleged violation, and compare them with your own records. Also, check the terms and conditions of parking on the car park to ensure that you did not unknowingly violate any regulations.
- Gather evidence: If you believe that the ticket was issued incorrectly or unfairly, gather evidence to support your case. This could include photographs of the signage on the car park, receipts or tickets for payment, or any other documentation that supports your claim.
- Appeal the ticket: If you believe that the ticket was issued unfairly or incorrectly, you have the right to appeal the decision. Total Car Parks is required to provide a clear and transparent appeals process. You can appeal the ticket online, by post, or by phone.
- Pay the ticket: If you decide to pay the ticket, make sure that you do so within the specified time frame to avoid additional charges or legal action. You can pay the ticket online or by phone.
It is important to note that private tickets issued by Total Car Parks are not fines and are not backed by law. Instead they are based on contract law and they will allege you have breached that contract. However, if you ignore the ticket or fail to pay it within the specified time frame, Total Car Parks may take legal action to recover the amount owed, and this could result in additional fees and charges. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider your options and take action promptly if you receive a private ticket from Total Car Parks.
What happens if you ignore the ticket?
If a driver fails to pay a private ticket issued by Total Car Parks within the specified time frame, the company may take legal action to recover the amount owed. This could involve taking the driver to court and seeking a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against them.
To take legal action, Total Car Parks would need to follow a legal process that includes sending a Notice to Keeper (NTK) to the registered owner of the vehicle, followed by a Letter Before Claim (LBC), which outlines the amount owed and the reasons for the claim.
If the driver still refuses to pay, Total Car Parks may then issue a Claim Form, which initiates legal proceedings. The driver will have the opportunity to respond to the claim and defend themselves in court. If the court finds in favor of Total Car Parks, a CCJ may be issued against the driver (although this will only stay on your credit record if it remains unpaid).
It is important to note that legal action is usually a last resort for Total Car Parks, and they will typically attempt to resolve the issue through other means, such as sending reminder letters or offering a settlement. Going to court costs them money, but it should be noted that they do do it to maintain the threat.
How can Parking Cowboys help?
If you’ve received a ticket
- Understand what private parking tickets are
- Find out about appeals, and in particular about the POPLA service
- Learn how to fight back with our essential guide
If you’ve received a court claim
- Understand how they can be legally enforced in county court
- Learn about County Court Judgements and the risk is to your credit file
- Consider using our legal service partner, JustAnswer. Click here to make a no-obligation enquiry
Best of luck – we’ll help you through this!