MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.
Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.
Fight back against parking fines with JustAnswer, get legal guidance now!
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Have you received a Carflow parking fine and you’re not sure what to do next? You’re not alone. Every month, over 130,000 people visit our website for advice on parking fines.
This article will offer you simple and straightforward advice on:
Who Carflow are.
Whether you should pay Carflow Limited parking fines.
How to appeal a Carflow parking fine.
What happens if you don’t pay a private parking fine.
How to deal with a Parking Charge Notice.
We know that getting a private parking fine can be a real headache. But don’t worry; we’ve got plenty of practical advice and real-life examples to guide you through the process.
Remember, a Carflow parking fine can be appealed if you think the operator didn’t follow the right rules.
Ready to find out more about your options? Let’s dive in!
56% of Ticket Appeals Succeed
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your parking 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
*According to Martin Lewis, 56% of people who try to appeal their ticket are successful and get the charge overturned, so it’s well worth a try. In partnership with Just Answer.
Carflow appeals, should you pay or take the matter further?
If your case is strong and you can show the operator failed to issue a Parking Charge Notice correctly, you should appeal. If Carflow rejects your initial appeal, you have the right to take the matter further.
Carflow is a British Parking Association member and must follow the Code of Practice. When they don’t, your fine should be cancelled. That said, if you are unsure whether the penalty is justified or not, you should pay it. Like this, you avoid any further stress or action against you.
Paying a Carflow Fine
You can opt to pay a Parking Charge Notice issued by Carflow in the following ways:
By post to Carflow, PO Box 76433, London EC1P 1BB
By phone
You must provide the Parking Charge Reference number and your car registration details when you pay the fine.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post on Carflow appeals. Now you’ve read it, I hope it gives you food for thought on whether to appeal or pay the Parking Charge Notice you received!
What happens if you don’t pay a private parking fine?
If you fail to follow the private parking rules and don’t pay the fine, the operator can chase you for the money. Then, they’ll send threatening letters, which you should not ignore. However, don’t be too quick to pay a Parking Charge Notice. First, find out whether the fine was given correctly!
A fine received on private land is not the same as a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued by the Police or local authority. Instead, it’s an invoice the operator raises when they allege you have committed a parking infringement on their land.
You should not treat a private fine as you would a Penalty Charge Notice. But you should not ignore it either.
The best way to deal with a fine received on private land is to appeal it when you think it was wrongly given. You have the right to appeal fines. It’s in the British Parking Association’s Code of Practice.
Carflow is a member and, therefore, must abide by the guidelines.
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.
What happens when you ignore a Parking Charge Notice?
Never ignore a private parking fine. It’s wiser to appeal a Parking Charge Notice or pay it. Ignoring it could make things much harder to settle further down the line.
You’ll receive plenty of payment reminders and court action threats. The operator will send you a letter before action. Do not ignore the letter because it could lead to attending court. Some operators don’t start legal proceedings when you don’t pay, but there is never a guarantee they’ll let the matter drop.
Plus, the operator could give your details to a debt collector. They will send you letters, contact you by phone and may even turn up at your home. So it’s best not to let things get this far by either paying a justified Parking Charge Notice or appealing the fine!
A Parking Charge Notice is an invoice and not a fine. So it is not enforceable unless you are taken to court and a judge orders you to pay! Fines from the operator can be up to £100. But never anymore because private operators cannot charge any amount above this.
Suppose you think the Parking Charge Notice was not correctly given. In that case, my advice is to file an informal appeal with the operator. It costs zero to do, and you must file it within 28 days of receiving the fine.
However, if Carflow rejects your appeal, you can take the matter to an Independent Appeals Service (IAS). The downside to this is that you’ll lose the discounted amount you would have paid. The upside is the operator cannot start legal proceedings while an appeal is in process.
Once the appeal is settled and you lose, Carflow could choose to take you to court! If a judge finds the fine is justified, you’ll have to pay!
You must make an appeal against a Parking Charge Notice in writing to the operator. This can be by email or by post. As mentioned, you need to appeal the fine within 28 days of receiving it.
You must provide the following information when you appeal a Parking Charge Notice:
The unique fine reference number
Your car registration details
Evidence to support your appeal
If Carflow rejects your appeal, they’ll send you a letter providing information about the independent appeals service (POPLA). The letter also contains your appeal reference number. An operator must abide by their decision whether your appeal is upheld or rejected.
Note:As long as an appeal process is in progress, an operator cannot start legal proceedings against you! However, once an appeal is unsuccessful, they can.
Can you get a CCJ for a parking fine on private land?
When an operator takes you to court and wins the case, you could receive a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against you. I recommend you don’t let things get this far. It’s better to pay the fine and move on than get a CCJ on your credit history.
It will be much harder for you to get a credit card, loan, or mortgage when you have a CCJ on your credit record. It remains in your history for 6 years!
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.
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MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.
Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.
