The International Parking Community (IPC) has signed an agreement with The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) to help simplify the process of transferring liability and recovering payment for Parking Charge Notices.

The announcement will consolidate the close relationship between the two organisations and their respective members and is expected to increase operational efficiencies for members and to improve payment recovery from drivers responsible for parking contraventions.

“The IPC has been in positive dialogue with the BVRLA for some time and we’re delighted that the very constructive discussions have culminated with a formal

agreement that will benefit the members of both trade associations,” said Will Hurley, director of the parking Trade Association.

“Significantly, the new agreement will reinforce best practice and compliance with all operational matters related to the parking of vehicles on private land. It will also foster much more effective processes for the transfer of liabilities to any driver with a rental or lease agreement who has breached regulations in a private car park.”

The IPC and BVRLA will now develop joint initiatives to provide additional information and guidance to parking operators and vehicle rental and leasing companies. This will help to consolidate the growing co-operation between the two sectors and deliver practical solutions for reducing the costs of processing and securing payment of Parking Charge Notices.

The BVRLA will now take steps to improve the understanding of the legalities associated with parking on private land among its members. It will also encourage its members to support the efforts of IPC members when rental or lease drivers fail to respond to payment notifications for which they are liable.

The Association will also work in tandem with the IPC to ensure all legislative advice for members is up to date and will promote prompt and consistent Penalty Charge Notices resolutions in accordance with the Protection of Freedoms Act.

As a result of the new agreement, IPC members have been advised to accept all representations from rental and leasing companies that conform to the new best practice guidelines.

Both trade associations believe this will help to minimise the risk of misunderstandings, incomplete provision of data and unjustified delays.

The new agreement with the BVRLA is the latest in a series of new initiatives confirmed by The IPC at its 2016 Annual Conference in Derby. Other announcements have included the adoption of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Code of Practice as well as new membership platforms and Professional Standards for parking service providers in local government as well as in the healthcare and educational sectors. A new Welsh language standard will also be introduced early in the New Year (2017).