A corner home on the Molenweg in Amstelveen partially collapsed over the weekend after the owner continued renovations without the required permits.
Local authorities had issued an official order to stop construction just days before the structural failure occurred.
The incident forced emergency services to temporarily evacuate neighbors from adjacent properties as a safety precaution.
Rising permit violations in the municipality
Municipal officials reported that the owner did not wait for the necessary paperwork to be approved before starting heavy work on the structure.
Local leaders say this reflects a growing trend in the municipality, where property owners increasingly skip the formal approval process.
During the first seven months of 2026, inspectors issued nine construction stop orders for unpermitted work in Amstelveen.
That marks a noticeable rise compared to the previous year, when only three such orders were handed down in total.
Enforcement action and financial penalties
Local officials warned that illegal building projects cause significant neighborhood disruption and create serious physical safety risks.
The Gemeente Amstelveen has ordered the property owner to immediately secure and stabilize the building.
No further construction activities are permitted on the site until all regulatory requirements are fully met.
If the owner fails to secure the structure or resumes unauthorized work, the municipality will impose a fine of 60,000 euros.