Payment plans
About 40% of Dutch households reports problems making ends meet (Nibud, 2018). These households run the risk of arrears. Households with arrears often have debt collectors knocking at their door. At that point, they should be able to agree with their creditors on a realistic payment plan. A responsible debt collection policy is also an important part of the Broad debt policy. However, there are indications that creditors do not by default offer realistic payment plans.
Objective
The research group Debt and collection of the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Panteia and the National Organisation for Social Councillors were commissioned by the Dutch organization WODC to identify factors that drive private sector creditors to agree on payment plans.
Results
This study does recommendations on:
- the promotion of payment plans in the private sector and;
- how the Dutch law and policy makers can promote the formation of payment plans.
Duration
01 December 2019 - 30 June 2020
Approach
The study provides insights from different perspectives, namely of creditors (desk research and interviews with the most important creditors), professionals working with people in debt (observational data and interviews with social councillors) and the judiciary (jurisdiction and interviews with judges).
Relevance
This study gives policy makers insight into ways to promote the formation of payment plans. Educators and professionals gain insight into factors that influence the formation of payment plans.
