Declaring municipality in default for late decision

If you have submitted an application or objection and the municipality does not decide in time, you can declare the municipality in default. This means that you ask the municipality to decide within 2 weeks. If the municipality does not do this, it must pay an amount to you. This amount is called a penalty payment.

How does it work?
  • The municipality must decide on your application or objection within a statutory deadline. If there is no statutory deadline for your application or objection, keep 8 weeks as the decision period.
  • If the municipality needs more time to decide, it can extend the deadline. The municipality must always send you a notice to this effect.
What to do?

Municipality of Zoetermeer
PO Box 15
2700 AA ZOETERMEER

No notice of default 

You cannot file a notice of default for the items listed below:

  • The processing time of an application for waiver or appeal waiver of municipal taxes.
  • Obtain compensation and/or penalty payments under the Open Government Act(Woo).
How long will it take?
  • Within 2 weeks of receiving your form, the municipality will decide on your application or objection.
  • If the municipality fails to do so, it must pay you a penalty for each day after the deadline that it fails to decide.
  • In extreme cases, you can also go to court. This is called "filing an appeal. The judge can order that the municipality must decide within 2 weeks. The judge can also set a penalty if the municipality does not decide within 2 weeks.
Payment of the fine (penalty) by the municipality
  • The penalty is not paid immediately by the municipality.
  • You will receive a letter (decision) within 2 weeks of the day of the decision or 2 weeks after the maximum penalty is reached.
  • Payment is usually made within 6 weeks of the date of the decision.