Debt Recovery Plus Ltd (DRP) Should You Pay the Parking Ticket?
Are you feeling worried or confused about a letter from Debt Recovery Plus Ltd (DRP)? You’re not alone! We deal with thousands of people who are getting chased by Debt Recovery Plus – they’re one of the biggest debt collectors in the UK.
Don’t worry, though. You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explain:
- What Debt Recovery Plus Ltd is and what they do.
- How to work out if you really owe the money.
- What a Parking Charge Notice is and how to challenge it.
- If and how DRP can affect your credit score.
- Where you can get free advice if you’re struggling with debt.
If that sounds good, then let’s get started!
Not sure what to write in your parking appeal?
The form asks for contact details to deliver your free MoneyNerd template.
Add your notice details, reasons for disputing the charge and relevant evidence.
General information, not legal advice. Follow your notice’s instructions and deadlines; adapt the wording to your circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
Do You Owe Money for a Parking Charge?
Debt Recovery Plus (DRP) are UK’s leading debt collectors for Parking Charge Notices. They are one of the few debt collection companies that focus entirely on parking charges.
So if you’ve been issued a parking charge notice that you have not addressed yet, chances are the letter you’ve received from DRP is regarding that.
Just like other debt collectors, DRP is employed to recover money that debtors owe to their clients.
Most of DRP’s clients include private establishments whose parking rules are violated such as hospitals, supermarkets, offices, etc.
Debt advice: Continue to the debt enquiry form
Advertisement. MoneyNerd is a commercial introducer, not a debt adviser. The Debt Advice Service, a trading style of Pacific Financial Solutions Limited, offers free debt advice with no obligation. If you request an introduction, your details are shared with them so they can contact you.
Some debt solutions have fees and may negatively affect your credit rating. MoneyNerd may receive a fee if you proceed with a debt solution through The Debt Advice Service. MoneyHelper offers free, impartial money guidance and help finding free debt advice.
What’s a PCN?
In the UK, a parking charge notice is a fine that is issued to individuals that park their vehicles in a way that is against conventions, laws or road markings. The amount you owe can differ depending on the offence and where it took place.
Some examples of why you might be issued a parking charge notice are:
- Failing to produce a valid ticket
- Keeping your car at a spot for more hours than what was permitted
- Parking your vehicle over yellow lines
- Parking your vehicle in a hatched area
- Parking your vehicle on private property without the owner’s permission
- Parking in a disabled spot without your vehicle displaying a valid Blue Badge
- Parking in a parent and children space without having a child
- Parking in a customer-only area without actually being a customer of the establishment
- Parking across the permitted lines of a spot
What to include in your parking appeal
The form asks for contact details to deliver your free MoneyNerd template.
Include the notice reference, your reasons, supporting evidence and the action you want the issuer to take.
The correct process depends on the notice and where it was issued.
General information, not legal advice. Follow your notice’s instructions and deadlines; adapt the wording to your circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
How do You Dispute It?
If you feel there’s been a mistake and you don’t owe the parking fine, then you can choose to appeal the notice.
Disputing parking tickets and private parking fines can be complicated, so you need to follow the process set out by the private parking company.
Debt advice: Continue to the debt enquiry form
Advertisement. MoneyNerd is a commercial introducer, not a debt adviser. The Debt Advice Service, a trading style of Pacific Financial Solutions Limited, offers free debt advice with no obligation. If you request an introduction, your details are shared with them so they can contact you.
Some debt solutions have fees and may negatively affect your credit rating. MoneyNerd may receive a fee if you proceed with a debt solution through The Debt Advice Service. MoneyHelper offers free, impartial money guidance and help finding free debt advice.
It’s important that you address the notice in some way in order to avoid court action by DRP and that you never ignore the charge.
In fact, we always recommend responding to debt collectors – even just to question the debt’s validity. You have the right to request proof of the debt. They have to prove it, or they can’t charge you.
It’s also key that you know your rights and what the debt collection company is entitled to do. Here are some of the basics:
| Debt collectors may | Limits and protections |
|---|---|
| Contact you to seek payment | For regulated consumer credit, contact must be at reasonable times and respect reasonable requests about when, where and how you are contacted. |
| Ask to discuss the debt at a home visit | A collector has no bailiff powers, cannot force entry or take goods, and should leave when asked. |
| Explain possible court action | They must not mislead you about their powers or threaten action they cannot lawfully take. |
| Discuss an affordable repayment or settlement | Get agreed terms in writing and obtain free advice if you dispute the debt or cannot afford payments. |
| A creditor may seek a separate court enforcement order | A CCJ alone does not give a collector access to your bank account. A third-party debt order requires a separate court process. |
| A creditor may assign a debt | Check who owns it and who is authorised to collect; do not disclose payment details to an unverified caller. |
| Make proportionate follow-up contact | Harassment is prohibited. Requests about contact must be considered; necessary legal notices may still be sent. |
Please note that you have limited time to dispute the charge notice.
You should contact the issuer of the notice within 28 days of receiving it. The details of the issuer will be on the notice that you receive.
If your dispute is rejected by the issuer and you reside in England or Wales, then you can appeal your case to Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) or the Independent Appeals Service (IAS).
If this is you, we recommend speaking to a debt charity for some advice. They will be able to walk you through your legal rights in detail and explain what you can do next.
Can They Affect Your Credit?
There could be an impact of non-payment on your credit score. This means that not paying DRP may affect your credit.
Private parking tickets alone will not have an impact on your credit score. But if you don’t pay, you may end up being taken to court.
A County Court Judgement (CCJ) will have a negative impact on your credit score and you will probably find it quite difficult to get credit while it is visible on your credit file.
It’s very important to do your best to avoid getting a bad mark on your credit score and to always manage your debts wisely, as institutions like StepChange found the average unsecured debt amount per client increased by 27% year-on-year to £16,1742.
Free parking appeal letter template
The form asks for contact details to deliver your free MoneyNerd template.
Explain what happened, why you dispute the charge and include relevant evidence.
General information, not legal advice. Follow your notice’s instructions and deadlines; adapt the wording to your circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
Debt Recovery Plus Ltd Contact Details
| Website: | https://www.debtrecoveryplus.co.uk/ |
| Phone: | 0208 234 6775 |
| Address: | 78 York Street, London, W1H 1DP |
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