If you park without authorization on a private parking lot, the owner is entitled to demand a disturbance compensation or a contractual penalty (liquidated damages).
But what consequences arise if you do not pay the invoice on time?
Below you will find out what measures can be taken – from the first payment reminder to a report or debt collection.
🧾 0. First invoice – parking ticket or payment request on the vehicle
If you find a parking ticket or a payment request on your vehicle, this already represents the first invoice.
📋 This means:
This request is not a warning, but an official payment deadline.
The specified amount and deadline are binding and can be viewed in the beppo portal.
If the amount is not paid on time, a reminder with additional costs will automatically follow.
💡 Recommendation:
Even if the request is attached to the vehicle and no postal delivery takes place, it is considered properly delivered.
An unpaid payment request is thus treated like an outstanding invoice.
💸 1. Reminder in case of payment default
If the first invoice or parking ticket is not paid within the specified deadline, the vehicle owner receives a reminder.
📋 This means specifically:
A processing fee is charged for the reminder.
A new payment deadline is set.
You thus receive a further opportunity to settle the matter simply and out of court.
💡 Recommendation:
Timely payment avoids additional fees, effort, and legal steps.
If you did not find a parking ticket on the car and it is also not visible in the evidence photos, you are welcome to report this to us and we will review the waiver of the reminder fees.
⚠️ 2. No payment after reminder – what are the consequences?
If the second payment deadline is also not used, the procedure continues.
Depending on the legal basis and agreement on the parking lot, two approaches can be taken – or in certain cases both in parallel:
⚖️ Option A: Report to the court
If the violation occurs on a parking lot with a judicial prohibition (court order), the owner or their representative can submit a report to the competent court.
➡️ This means:
We act in the name and with the power of attorney of our client.
The case is handed over to the responsible authority.
The police will again investigate the vehicle owner data to identify the responsible driver.
🔍 Possible consequences:
A single judge reviews the file and the text of the judicial prohibition.
A fine of up to CHF 2,000.– can be imposed.
Additionally, procedural costs arise, which must also be borne by the illegal parker.
📄 Legal remedies:
An appeal can be filed within 10 days against the decision.
Please refer to the attached legal remedy instructions for the necessary information.
💡 Note:
Even with a judicial prohibition, Beppo – depending on the individual case and assessment – can initiate a debt collection procedure instead of or in addition to the report to enforce the civil claim (for example, disturbance compensation or contractual penalty) directly.
This is done especially when the claim is clearly quantifiable and legally enforceable.
💼 Option B: Debt collection (civil procedure)
If it is not a judicial prohibition, but a civil claim – for example a contractual penalty or disturbance compensation – the owner (or Beppo as agent) can assert the claim through the debt collection procedure.
➡️ This means:
You will receive a debt collection notice from the responsible debt collection office.
You can file an objection within 10 days if you dispute the claim.
Without objection, the claim can be enforced by force, for example by wage garnishment or entry in the debt collection register.
💡 Note:
An entry in the debt collection register can negatively affect your creditworthiness, for example when applying for credit, rental, or leasing.
🧭 Process overview
| Step | Description | Possible consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 🧾 0. First invoice | Parking ticket or payment request on the vehicle | Payment within the specified deadline |
| 💸 1. Reminder | Invoice remains unpaid – processing fee is charged | New payment deadline |
| ⚠️ 2. No payment | Deadline expires | Procedure is initiated |
| ⚖️ Option A: Report | Court procedure with judicial prohibition | Fine up to CHF 2,000.– plus procedural costs |
| 💼 Option B: Debt collection | Civil procedure for contractual penalty or disturbance compensation | Enforcement or entry in the debt collection register |
| ⚖️ Combined approach | Even with a judicial prohibition, Beppo can additionally initiate a debt collection | Parallel procedure for claim enforcement |
| 📄 Legal remedies | Appeal (report) or objection (debt collection) | Review by authority or court |
💡 How to avoid additional costs
Pay invoices within the deadline to avoid further fees and procedures.
Respond promptly if you receive a reminder, report, or debt collection notice.
Read all attached legal remedy instructions carefully before responding.
📝 Summary:
A parking ticket on the vehicle already represents the first invoice.
If this is not paid on time, reminder, additional costs and – depending on the situation – a report, a debt collection, or both will follow.
Even with a judicial prohibition, Beppo can use both procedures to legally enforce the claim.
The simplest solution is to pay on time and avoid further effort.