Verwarngeld

Verwarngeld is a Dutch term that describes a small monetary penalty issued as a warning for minor violations of rules or regulations by individuals or organizations. It is intended as a preemptive enforcement instrument to deter further infractions without resorting to full-fledged penalties. The exact form and amount of a verwarngeld vary by issuing body and jurisdiction; it is typically lower than a formal fine and may be contingent on the offender addressing the issue within a specified period.

A verwarngeld is usually accompanied by a short description of the violation, the amount due, and a deadline for payment. It may also include information about the possibility to appeal or to have the penalty waived if the offender takes corrective action or if the violation is not repeated within a certain time frame.

In practice, verwarngeld appears in contexts such as local government enforcement (for example minor infractions in municipal regulations), housing associations, schools or universities in disciplinary procedures, and some administrative procedures in which authorities seek to encourage compliance. It is not a universally defined legal category; some authorities may refer to a "warning" or to a "compliance fee" rather than using the specific term verwarngeld.

Critics argue that it may blur lines between administrative handling and due process if not clearly regulated, while supporters view it as an efficient tool to improve compliance with minimal administrative burden.