Guide
Received a vehicle keeper notification (FHM)?
What the FHM means, why you received one, how to pay correctly and what rights you have as a vehicle keeper.
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In brief
What does an FHM mean?
FHM stands for Fahrzeughalter- bzw. Fahrzeuglenkermitteilung (notification to the vehicle keeper or driver). You receive this letter from us when your vehicle was parked on a private parking area monitored by us without a valid permit or contrary to the parking rules. An FHM is issued exclusively by us and relates only to the private parking areas with their own parking rules that we look after. It is not an official penalty notice, but a civil-law claim arising from interference with possession (Besitzstörung) on private property (Section 339 of the Austrian Civil Code, ABGB).
If you do not respond, the effort grows in stages – from the flat-rate charge through legal costs up to a deadline-bound action for interference with possession. You can read how this process and the costs look in detail in our guide on the action for interference with possession.
If you have questions or objections, you can have the matter reviewed via our help form.
How to pay correctly
You have two options for payment:
- 1 Using the enclosed payment slip.
- 2 Via online banking or bank transfer.
Important: Always enter your FHM number in the payment reference – it is shown at the top right of the vehicle keeper notification. Without this number, your payment cannot be allocated.
Possible reasons
Why was an FHM issued?
A vehicle keeper notification documents a breach of the parking rules of the managed area. The specific reason is clearly ticked on the notification itself.
- Parking without a valid parking permit or parking card
- Parking in a visitor space without a valid visitor card
- Exceeding the maximum permitted parking time under the parking rules
- Parking in a private short-stay zone without a correctly set parking disc
- Unauthorised parking in a designated disabled parking space
A note on signage: Private short-stay zones are indicated by corresponding signs. Blue road markings may additionally be present but are not required – putting up the signs alone is sufficient.
Sort it out directly
Resolve the matter or check the status
Would you like to report your concern, pay or view the processing status? Choose the option that suits you – with no registration required.
Frequently asked questions
The FHM – answered briefly
What is a vehicle keeper notification (FHM)?
An FHM is a notification to the vehicle keeper that their vehicle was parked on a private, monitored parking area without a valid permit or contrary to the parking rules. It relates exclusively to private car parks with their own parking rules – not to public short-stay zones. In legal terms, it is based on the concept of interference with possession (Besitzstörung) on private property (Section 339 of the Austrian Civil Code, ABGB).
Why did I receive an FHM?
A breach of the applicable parking rules was documented on the managed area. Typical reasons are a missing parking permit or parking card, parking as a visitor without a valid visitor card, exceeding the maximum permitted parking time, a private short-stay zone without a correctly set parking disc, or unauthorised parking in a designated disabled parking space. The notification is left on the vehicle and is addressed to the registered keeper, because in the event of later legal action only they can be identified via the number plate – even if someone else was driving.
How do I pay my FHM correctly?
You pay using the enclosed payment slip or via online banking. Be sure to enter your FHM number in the payment reference – it is shown at the top right of the vehicle keeper notification. Without this number, your payment cannot be allocated. You will find step-by-step instructions on the “FHM received & payment” page.
What happens if I do not respond to the FHM?
If there is no response, the effort typically grows in stages: at first it is only about the flat-rate charge shown on the notification (usually €65). If payment is not made, the matter together with the available photographic evidence is handed over to our lawyers – at which point legal costs are added. If the keeper still does not give in, the interference with possession can be enforced through the courts (action for interference with possession, Besitzstörungsklage), which additionally incurs court and representation costs that, as a rule, are borne by the unsuccessful party. An action for interference with possession is subject to a deadline (within 30 days of becoming aware of the interference and the interferer, Section 454 of the Austrian Code of Civil Procedure, ZPO). It is therefore considerably cheaper and simpler to resolve the FHM early – either by paying or, if something is not right from your point of view, by getting in touch via the help form.
I have paid and still received a lawyer’s letter – why?
In most cases the FHM number or the number plate was missing from the transfer, so the payment could not be allocated. In that case, simply send your proof of payment via the help form or directly to our lawyers – the matter will then be cleared up promptly.
What rights do I have as a vehicle keeper?
You can have the matter reviewed if something is not right from your point of view – for example because you had a valid permit. Describe your concern with the FHM number and number plate via the help form; the case will then be examined. An FHM is not an official penalty notice from the authorities, but a civil-law claim arising from interference with possession (Besitzstörung).
This article provides general guidance and does not replace legal advice in individual cases.
Next step
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