FAQs
Welcome to ZZPS Limited's page of Frequently Asked Questions
Parking Charge FAQs
What is a Parking Charge?
A Parking Charge is issued to a vehicle parked in breach of the Terms and Conditions of parking on private land. This is not to be confused with a Penalty Charge Notice – it is, in this context, a Parking Charge. It can be affixed to a vehicle or can be sent through the post. The notice issued to the driver of the vehicle explains the time frames for payment, how payment can be made and also how to appeal the parking charge. Both payments and appeals can be made by post or online.
Why have I received a Parking Charge?
Parking on private land is either permitted or restricted by a landowner. The landowner can protect the land through contract and/or trespass law. In most cases, contract law will prevail. In relation to parking, Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) of parking are displayed by way of signage, and a contract is formed if the driver accepts the terms as displayed. A Parking Charge is issued if the T&Cs are breached.
What is a Penalty Notice?
If you have received a Penalty Notice, it is because the private land in question is being managed under Railway Byelaws; the Protection of Freedoms Act does not apply in this instance, and the Owner of the vehicle is liable for the penalty.
What is a NTO or NTK?
NTO stands for Notice to Owner, NTK stands for Notice to Keeper, and is a notice that is sent to the registered keeper after a Parking Charge has been issued and if it has not already been paid. It is written confirmation to a Registered Keeper that the Parking Charge is still outstanding and will also provide details of the choices available in order to deal with the Parking Charge.
What happens if I ignore a NTK?
If an NTK is ignored, processes are instigated to collect the money due on the outstanding Parking Charge. It is possible that the value of the Parking Charge will be increased as a result. Contrary to the advice given on various forums, ignoring a Parking Charge issued on private land is not the best course of action. If you feel you have been issued with a Parking Charge incorrectly, the best thing to do is to contact us. Do not just ignore your Parking Charge, get in touch with us.
Who is responsible for paying the Parking Charge?
The driver of the vehicle is responsible for payment. In certain circumstances, liability can pass to the Registered Keeper. If the Registered Keeper indicates that another person is responsible, further enquiries will be made.
Are Parking Charges enforceable?
Yes. A Judgment handed down by the Supreme Court (Parking Eye v Beavis) on 04 November 2015 confirms parking regimes which impose charges where motorists overstay or breach the terms of their contractual licence to park are enforceable charges. A copy of the Judgment is available here.
What happens if I dispute the Parking Charge?
You should not ignore the notice, if you do the amount due may increase. Instructions on what to do will be shown on the Parking Charge. You should contact us and explain your reasons for any dispute. If you appeal within the time limit stipulated, you will have a further opportunity to pay at the reduced rate.
Am I able to refer to an independent body?
For Parking Charges issued after 1 October 2012 an independent appeals service has been established and is available if you have been provided with a unique IAS number.
What is POPLA?
POPLA stands for Parking on Private Land Appeals and is an independent appeals service funded by operators that are members of the British Parking Association.
What is The IAS?
The IAS is an acronym for the ‘Independent Appeals Service’ and is provided by the International Parking Community , ‘IPC’.
What happens if I lose my appeal but don't want to pay?
If you lose your appeal, you should pay the Parking Charge. If you refuse, the amount of the Parking Charge may increase and legal action may be taken to recover the amount of money due.
Is there any legislation to which I can refer?
Your attention is drawn to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and in particular Section 56 and Schedule 4. If you have received a Penalty Notice, please refer to the Railway Byelaws.
What happens if I do not pay?
We advise you to pay. If you do not, then the matter may be passed to our solicitors, and the balance may increase as a result. If you have a legitimate reason for non-payment, get in touch with us.
For more parking related information visit http://www.knowyourparkingrights.org/.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please feel free to contact us.
Utility Debt FAQs
Who are ZZPS?
We are a regulated debt resolution agency working on behalf of a range of utility providers across the UK, including gas, electricity, and water companies.
Our team are specialists in customer support and debt resolution. We will work with you to understand your circumstances and find the most appropriate solution.
We aim to be flexible and will adapt our approach to suit your individual situation.
I don’t owe this debt or the amount is wrong?
If you believe the debt is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can review your case.
Providing any supporting information will help us work with the relevant utility provider to investigate and resolve the matter quickly.
What should I do if I'm seriously ill or struggling with my mental health??
Please contact us on 01932 242343 and let us know. We will always act sensitively and supportively.
With your permission, we can also liaise with a third party acting on your behalf. You may also wish to refer to independent debt advice organisations for additional support.
My account is being managed by a Debt Management Company; what should I do?
If you are working with a debt management company or advisor, please ask them to contact us directly.
We regularly work with financial advisers, charities, and support organisations to ensure a coordinated approach.
I’m in financial difficulty and need independent advice.
We recommend seeking impartial advice from recognised debt advice services.
Please visit our Independent Debt Help section for links to free, confidential support.
Can someone else manage my account or speak to you on my behalf?
Yes, we can work with a third party (such as a family member, adviser, or charity), but we will need your permission before sharing information.
Once authorised, we are happy to liaise directly with them.
What should I do if I receive a letter from ZZPS about a utility debt?
Please contact us using the details provided in the letter so we can discuss your situation.
Our team will explain the account, the utility provider involved, and the options available to you.
Do you record telephone calls?
Yes, calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
Recordings are paused where payment details are discussed, so your financial information is not retained.
I want to repay my debt but need help working out a budget - can ZZPS help?
Yes. Our customer service agents can support you in the completing an income and expenditure assessment to help agree an affordable repayment plan.
Why do I need to complete identification checks before you can discuss my accoun?
ZZPS must verify your identity to ensure we are speaking with the correct person and to protect your data in line with regulatory requirements.
The person you are trying to contact doesn’t live at this address - what should I do?
Please contact us to let us know. We will update our records and, where required, inform the relevant utility provider.
I'm moving, does my debt move with me?
Utility debts relate to the individual (account holder), not the property.
If you move, any outstanding balance remains your responsibility until it is cleared.
I've received a letter, but I am a new tenant - what should I do?
Please contact us as soon as possible so that we can review the account, and update our records if necessary.
How are my personal details used by ZZPS?
We process personal data in accordance with applicable Data Protection laws.
Full details can be found in our Privacy Policy.
Will ZZPS cut off my gas, electricity or water supply?
No. ZZPS does not control or interfere with your utility supply.
However, if an account remains unpaid and no engagement is made, the utility provider may take further action in line with their policies. This could include account escalation, potential installation of a prepayment meter, or other recovery actions depending on the circumstances. We strongly recommend contacting us to discuss your account and avoid any further action.
Will my credit rating be affected?
ZZPS does not report directly to Credit Reference Agencies.
However, if the matter progresses and legal action is taken, a County Court Judgment (CCJ) may be obtained. A CCJ can have a significant negative impact on your credit rating and ability to obtain credit in the future. In addition, utility providers may share payment performance data with Credit Reference Agencies in accordance with their policies.
This information is used to compile your credit file and may be accessed by other organisations to make decisions about you when applying for credit.
Do my payments cover my ongoing usage?
Payments made to ZZPS are applied to the outstanding balance and ongoing supply we are managing.
I've recently paid my utility company directly - what should I do?
If you have made a payment directly to your utility provider, we recommend that you contact us to confirm the amount paid, the date of payment, and the method used. This allows us to ensure your payment is correctly allocated and to confirm whether any balance remains outstanding. Without this confirmation, there is a risk that a remaining balance may still be due on your account.
Enforcement Agents FAQs
What is an Enforcement Agent?
A Certificated Enforcement Agent “CEA” (previously known as a “Bailiff”) is someone who has been certificated by the County Court which provides them the legal ability to collect certain debts.
These debts may be collected by a CEA whereby the amount is requested in writing, in person, and/or goods may be removed and sold by a CEA to pay off the debt.
What types of debt can an Enforcement Agent collect?
The types of debt a CEA can collect include;
- Council Tax and Business Rates
- Parking penalties (issued by a local authority)
- County Court Judgements (CCJs)
- High Court Judgements
- Magistrates’ Court Fines and Compensation Orders
- Child Support
- Maintenance
- Income Tax, National Insurance and VAT
- Commercial/Business Rent
What items can be removed by an Enforcement Agent?
A CEA will look for items that can be sold to pay off your debt, these can include items such as motor vehicles, jewellery, furniture, and/or electrical goods, however, there are certain items that must not be taken.
Items that must not be taken would include household items, such as, a cooker/microwave, fridge, washing machine, landline or mobile phone, beds and bedding for everyone in your house, appliances used to heat and light your house, medical or care equipment, and a dining table and chairs for everyone in your house.
There are also items that are protected which cannot be taken. These include items owned wholly by someone else, pets and assistance dogs, items bought on a hire purchase agreement where the final payment has not been made, tools, books, or other equipment that is essential to your job or study (up to a maximum of £1,350), permanent fixtures in your property, e.g., built in wardrobe, kitchen unit. Or goods you are currently using, e.g., a motor vehicle or machinery (a CEA may return for these items on another day).
What happens if an Enforcement Agent visits my property?
You will first have a written notification (normally a letter sent by post) if a CEA is to visit your property, this is called a Notice of Enforcement and is sent with a minimum of 7 days’ notice.
It would be advisable to arrange to pay the debt in full or in instalments prior to the scheduled visit as these visits may cause some unintentional distress to you and/or anyone else in your household.
If a CEA does visit your property, they must inform you of the reason they are there and would ask you to pay the amount owed.
Unless they have been given your permission, they are not allowed to enter your property. If you do allow them permission, they will enter and make a list of the items that can be removed and sold if you do not make payment. These items aren’t normally removed straight away as you will be given the chance to arrange/make a payment towards the debt. If payment is not arranged/made then a CEA can return and remove the items from your property and would be allowed to use force to enter.