Notify municipality of default in case of late decision
What is it?
If you have submitted an application or objection and the municipality does not make a decision on time, you can give the municipality notice of default. This means that you ask the municipality to make a decision within two weeks. If the municipality fails to do so, it must pay you a sum of money. This sum is called a penalty payment.
How does it work?
- The municipality must decide on your application or objection within a statutory period. If no statutory period applies to your application or objection, you should allow eight weeks for a decision to be made.
- If the municipality needs more time to make a decision, it may extend the deadline. The municipality must always send you a notification about this.
What should I do?
Download the Notice of Default Form and print it out. Fill in all the details and send the form to the municipality.
How long will it take?
- The municipality will decide on your application or objection within two weeks of receiving your form.
- If the municipality fails to do so, it must pay you a penalty for each day after the deadline that it fails to make a decision.
- In extreme cases, you can also take legal action. This is called 'lodging an appeal'. The court may rule that the municipality must make a decision within two weeks. The court may also impose a penalty if the municipality fails to make a decision within two weeks.