Officials appealing against the WOZ decision with the homeowners council have to deal with stricter rules. The Ministry of Finance wants to cut the way for companies that cost municipalities too much. This was confirmed by the ministry spokesperson, as reported by RTL Nieuws.
This week, municipalities have already asked citizens not to use a commercial agent if they want to appeal the WOZ decision. If such mediation is successful, the municipality must pay what is known as court fees. These fees range from hundreds to several thousand euros, depending on the situation. If the citizens themselves raise an objection without applying to any authority, the municipalities are not obliged to cover these court costs.
A spokesperson for the ministry says many citizens do not know that commercial companies make a lot of money from their services. “The number of objections and complaints made over this business has increased tremendously in recent years. As a result, the legal costs that need to be compensated have also increased substantially.”
According to the ministry, companies earn an average of around 600 euros per case won. This amount will increase in ongoing cases.
And while companies have almost nothing to do with apps. Citizens must fill in the appeal form themselves, which is sent directly to the municipality. Since legal fees increase as the process progresses, it makes sense for companies to require a hearing by default. As a result, municipalities are burdened with extra work and often the same result is achieved.
“In addition to making money off of the public, the pressure on tax legislation and the enforcement of the judiciary is also increasing. Community funds are flowing to the commercial parties,” he said.
addressing the revenue model
Foreign Minister Van Rij is taking a number of measures to make it less attractive for companies to offer this service. First, due to the change in the law, compensation will no longer be paid to the commercial party, but directly to the citizen. “This compels companies to involve the taxpayer more in the appeal and appeal process.”
It also reduces legal costs for companies. As a result, compensation has a stronger relationship with the company’s performance and the revenue model becomes less attractive.
The ministry is examining whether additional measures are necessary.
“Municipalities do not take citizens seriously”
Earlier this week, Dirk-Jan Wolfert, owner of one such appeals firm, responded to local authorities’ concerns. He said trade parties arose because local authorities “did not take their citizens seriously”. “They only have to pay compensation if the municipalities didn’t guess correctly and the WOZ has to be lowered. If the municipalities do their job well, the agencies have nothing to gain.”
The advantage of consulting firms is that they have experts. “You know very well how to object.”
Source: NOS
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
