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 can extend the deadline. The municipality must always send you a notification about this.
What to 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 does 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.