Parking charge on a hire car: notice to hirer and admin fees

Two ways it can reach you

• The charge is passed to you. The hire company sends the parking company your details and a copy of the hire agreement. You then get a notice to hirer and can appeal in the usual way.
• The hire company pays and recharges you. It pays the parking company, then takes the charge plus an admin fee from your card — often without giving you a chance to appeal.

Which route was used affects what you can do. If you got a notice to hirer, you can appeal to the parking company like anyone else. If the hire company paid, your dispute is mainly with the hire company.

How the notice to hirer works

Paragraphs 13 and 14 of Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 set out the only way a hirer can be held liable. The hire company must give the parking company a statement and a copy of the hire agreement, and the parking company must then send the hirer a notice to hirer with copies of those documents within a set time. If you got a letter addressed to 'the driver' instead, you can ask them to prove who was driving.

The rental company admin fee

Many rental agreements allow an admin fee for dealing with parking charges. It's reasonable to ask which term allows it and why the company paid the charge instead of passing it to you. Compare the fee with the terms you agreed to when you collected the car; if no fee is mentioned, say so in your letter.

1. 1

   Step 1: Find the charge on your statement

   Note the date, the amount and the reference.

2. 2

   Step 2: Read your rental agreement

   Look for the terms about parking charges and admin fees.

3. 3

   Step 3: Write to the hire company

   Ask why they paid instead of transferring liability, which term allows the fee, and for a refund. Our free letter does this.

4. 4

   Step 4: Keep a copy

   Save your letter and any reply.

What to check in the rental paperwork

• The clause in your rental agreement about parking charges, fines and admin fees.
• The invoice or email from the hire company showing what was charged.
• The original parking notice — ask the hire company for a copy.
• Your rental dates and times, from the agreement or the check-in record.

It's reasonable to ask the hire company for a copy of the original parking notice. It lets you check the date, time and place against your rental. If the parking happened after you returned the car, or before you collected it, say so and include your rental dates.

If they refuse: chargeback

If the hire company won't explain or refund, ask your card provider about a chargeback. Banks have time limits, so ask as soon as possible and tell them what you've already tried. Give them copies of your letter to the hire company and any reply.

Lease cars and company cars

Lease and PCP companies usually transfer the charge to you, so the notice to hirer rules apply. For company cars, see do I have to name the driver. You don't have to say who was driving, but never say anything untrue.

Once the charge reaches you, the usual deadlines apply — for example the notice to keeper 14 days rule has its own version for hirers, and you can use the free POPLA appeal or IAS route if the company rejects you.

Examples on this page are illustrative and based on typical situations, not real cases.

This is a free self-help guide, not legal advice. Check your own letters and dates. If you're unsure, get free advice from Citizens Advice. Written by the Parking Help team.