Guest got a parking ticket and insisted I pay the full amount, should I have paid?

[Lena182]

So, I have a parking place allocated to my flat but did not have the parking permit at the time the guest had his stay.

No visitors or guests have ever got parking tickets in my place but this guest unfortunately got a parking ticket for £60.

i offered by myself to pay half of it and said we can challenge it but he said it is unlikely to get anywhere.

He then got really angry and threatened that either I pay the full amount (£60) or he will take me to small claims court.

He said it’s my responsibility handbag got really rude, I told him it’s a shared responsibility since it is his car but got really angry and he insisted that I pay the full amount.

I ended up paying but I feel bad about it, would you have paid the full amount if you were in my shoes? I really didn’t appreciate the way he talked to me as well.

What are your thoughts?

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Lena182

If you told him you could provide parking and then did not provide him with the pass to park legally then I’m afraid I am with your guest on this one. How was he to know he would get fined - if he did I am sure he would have asked you for the pass.

[Donna240]

I don't think you're going to like my answer, but because you did not have the permit at the time your guest used the space, I think the guest could reasonably ask you to pay for it. But I don't know if the permit needed to be in the auto to avoid ticketing. That's essential information. The guest's attitude is another matter. I think you were kind to make your offer of half, but if the auto needed the permit inside to prevent the ticketing, then you had 2 options: show the guest the space, but explain that you were waiting for the permit and he could get ticketed without it or explain that the parking was not available at the moment, for the same reason. I hope you retained something for your rental and this will be a one off situation for you.

[John1080]

@Lena182, I agree with the others that you're responsible morally at the very least. I would offer to pay it and take it as a learning experience to get the parking situation sorted asap. 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Lena182

Under the circumstances you explain I think the guest has every right to expect you to pay for the parking ticket. I have to agree with the other hosts....... if you have parking offered as an amenity then it IS your responsibility to ensure the guest is provided with a parking pass.

If you didn't have the parking pass ready, then you should have informed the guest in advance. The guest parked there because YOU (=host) said to park there - you are the one that said that particular parking spot is allocated to your flat, therefore I feel this has nothing to do with who owns the car.

If I were the guest in that equation...... I probably would have acted/responded more or less the same way as your guest. I would have been very upset that the host did not bother to get the necessary permits in place PRIOR to my stay - putting me and my car at risk. Then the audacity to say I'm responsible because it's my car but you are willing to pay for half? I'd be boiling mad at the HOST'S  attitude..... acting as if THEY are doing me a great big favor by offering to pay for half.

[Cathie19]

Hi @Lena182.

They’re correct!

You offer a free parking space, so end of the matter. If it was a bill for damage , then a different matter...

Unfortunately, you need to be organised as a host, or pay the price! We all have learning curves, believe me!

Remember: the guest probably chose your homestay space with the published amenity of free parking as a tipping point. 

You are up for the cost of the full ticket this time....