I'm a nurse and got a £100 charge for parking at a patient's home: Is there anything I can do?

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By SOPHIE WARBURTON, MONEY REPORTER

Updated: 07:00 BST, 23 September 2026

I am a community nurse. Last month, I was called to a patient receiving palliative care and attended their flat in a sheltered housing block in Cambridge.

The building had its own car park which meant I could pull up right outside and treat the patient as quickly as possible. I spent just over an hour at the flat and then returned to my car.

The parking conditions warn of a £100 charge, but this nurse did not notice at the time 

Eleven days later, I received a parking charge notice from a company called UK Car Park Management Ltd. 

It was for £100, or £60 if I paid within 14 days.  

I submitted an appeal but it was rejected. I returned to the car park and saw that there was a sign, but I hadn't noticed it. 

Due to the nature of my job I am often left with no choice but to park in residential car parks so I am near to my patients and near my car, where I keep various pieces of medical equipment. 

In this circumstance the alternative would have been to park on a busy road and walk for several minutes carrying all my gear. 

My biggest concern is ensuring I get to my patients in a timely fashion - looking for parking signs being the least of my worries. Is it really fair that I was charged for this? 

Sophie Warburton of This is Money replies: Private car parks are commonly found alongside premises such as gyms, supermarkets, restaurants, and retail parks. 

However, as you found to your detriment, they manage the parking at some housing complexes, too. 

Research suggests private parking operators issued around 14.4 million parking charges in the year 2024-25 on privately owned land. 

This is more than double the number issued just six years ago.

In July, the Competition and Markets Authority announced a package of actions to improve the experience of UK motorists dealing with private parking operators, and help ensure they are treated fairly when challenging parking charges. 

It said it was aware of consumer complaints involving 'unclear signage, broken ticket machines, and faulty apps.'

In your case, you were in a hurry to get to your patient and assumed it would be free to park outside of their home.

I contacted UK Car Park Management,  the operator of the car park where you received your fine, and explained the situation.

It said that the parking charge was 'issued correctly and in accordance with the site's parking terms and conditions.'

UK Car Park Management pointed out that free 24-hour visitor permits are available for the block of flats, but that visitors must go to reception to be given one. 

When you appealed, it said no evidence was provided to confirm that you were attending the building in your capacity as a healthcare worker.   

However, after I contacted the firm and you provided supporting evidence, I'm pleased to say the charge has been cancelled. 

UK Car Park Management continued: 'Following the submission of supporting evidence from the nurse during the independent appeals process, we have reviewed the circumstances and requested to withdraw from the appeal. We have also arranged for the parking charge to be cancelled.

'While we remain committed to ensuring parking controls are applied fairly and consistently, we recognise the sensitive circumstances in this case.

'We are also reviewing how information about the free visitor permit scheme is communicated to ensure healthcare staff and other visitors can access and register for permits as easily as possible.'