Payment Plan Deadlines for Tenants in Austria
Many tenants in Austria face the question of how to prevent eviction when they have payment difficulties. A legally reviewed payment plan can help, but deadlines and formalities are crucial: Which deadline starts after a reminder, by when must a payment proposal be made and how long do you have to implement a plan? This article clearly and understandably explains the most important deadlines, shows typical response steps and lists the necessary documents. It gives practical advice on how to check deadline calculations, respond correctly to offers and seek an amicable solution with the landlord. The information is oriented to Austrian law and official procedures so you can act more confidently.
What is a payment plan and why deadlines matter
A payment plan is a written agreement between tenant and landlord that sets out overdue payments or future payments in installments. Deadlines determine when you must respond, what grace period the landlord may set and when legal proceedings can be initiated. Pay special attention to deadline information in reminder letters and terminations and check for written deadlines or contractual deviations. In case of doubt, consult the tenancy law and official procedural guidance.[1]
Key deadlines and typical steps
- Response deadline after a reminder: Often a short deadline (e.g. 14 days); check the exact deadline in the letter.
- Making a payment plan proposal: Propose a concrete written plan to the landlord promptly with instalment amounts and timeframe.
- Form and proof: Send proposals by registered mail or another traceable method and keep receipts.
- Court deadlines: If no agreement is reached, legal steps may follow; respond within set deadlines to prepare your defense.
Documentation: What you should prepare
- Overview of outstanding claims, arrears and the relevant period.
- All reminder letters, terminations and previous agreements.
- Proofs of payment, bank statements and receipts.
- Possible medical certificates or proofs in cases of special hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which deadline do I have after the reminder?
- The deadline is stated in the reminder letter; it is often short (e.g. 14 days). Check the letter carefully and respond in writing if you propose a payment plan.
- Can the landlord evict me immediately if I don’t pay?
- Not immediately: The landlord can terminate under certain conditions and then initiate an eviction procedure. Court proceedings may follow if no agreement is reached.[2]
- Which documents help in negotiations?
- Collect bank statements, the lease, reminder letters and proofs of special circumstances; these documents strengthen your proposal and defense.
How-To
- Check the reminder letter and the stated deadlines immediately.
- Contact the landlord in writing and propose a concrete payment plan.
- Prepare documents and proofs of payment and attach them to your proposal.
- Send the plan by a traceable method (e.g. registered mail) and note the sending date.
- If no agreement is reached, seek legal advice and observe court deadlines.
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] RIS - Legal Information System of the Federal Government
- [2] Justice - Information on Courts and Procedures
- [3] JustizOnline - Electronic Forms and Submissions
