With administrative enforcement, the government in Zoetermeer intervenes itself to stop a violation and charges the costs to you. This is a more severe measure than an administrative fine.
What does administrative enforcement entail?
Administrative enforcement means that an administrative authority in Zoetermeer takes action itself to terminate a violation. Examples include:
- The demolition of an unauthorised structure
- The evacuation of a building
- The clean-up of an illegal dump site
- The shutdown of a business
Steps in the procedure
- An announcement or warning from the administrative authority
- The opportunity to state your position
- An official decision imposing an administrative enforcement order
- A period to remedy the violation yourself
- Execution by the government if you do not intervene
- Recovery of the costs from you
Administrative enforcement versus administrative fine
| Administrative enforcement | Administrative fine |
|---|---|
| Government acts itself | You must take action yourself |
| Costs are recovered afterwards | Fine per violation |
| Direct solution | Incentive to act yourself |
| More severe intervention | Less severe |
Cost recovery
The costs of administrative enforcement in Zoetermeer are recovered from you, including:
- All necessary expenses
- Costs for planning and execution
- A separate cost decision against which you can lodge an objection
Frequently asked questions in Zoetermeer
Can the government in Zoetermeer just remove my property?
No, this can only happen after a valid decision and after the expiry of the remedial period. You first get the chance to take action yourself.
What if I cannot afford the costs?
The government can collect the costs. You can try to arrange a payment plan via the administrative authority.
Can I get my property back?
Items are often stored temporarily. Upon payment of storage costs, you can retrieve them.
Additional questions about administrative enforcement
What is the duration of the remedial period in Zoetermeer?
The remedial period is generally at least 4 weeks, depending on the situation and the administrative authority. In cases of urgency, it may be shorter. The exact period is stated in the decision.
What to do if you disagree with the decision?
Within 6 weeks of notification, you can lodge an objection with the administrative authority in Zoetermeer. Clearly state why you disagree. Execution is usually suspended during the objection procedure, unless there is urgency.
Am I liable for costs in case of errors by the government?
If the government acts unjustly, you can object to the cost decision. Demonstrate that the costs are unreasonable or that the execution was incorrect. Compensation for damage may sometimes be possible; consult a lawyer.
Is administrative enforcement also applied for minor violations?
This is uncommon. Administrative enforcement is a severe measure for serious or recurrent violations. For minor matters, a warning or administrative fine is often chosen.
What if I do not cooperate with the execution?
The government may apply coercion, if necessary with police assistance. This can lead to additional costs or criminal prosecution. Legal steps are often a better option.
How are costs calculated?
All reasonable costs, such as labour, materials and storage, are charged. You will receive a specification in the cost decision, against which objection is possible.
Compensation for damage to property?
Only in case of unlawful action by the government. Damage from normal execution is at your risk. Document everything and submit a request to the administrative authority.
Summary
Administrative enforcement is a severe government measure in Zoetermeer whereby the violation is directly addressed. For legal assistance, you can contact the Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer or submit a case to the District Court of The Hague.