Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva
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The number of debtors in Finnish enforcement proceedings has increased by 4 percent compared to the same period in 2024, according to figures released by the Enforcement Authority. If current trends continue, the number of individuals and organisations subject to enforcement will exceed 600,000 by the end of the year.
More than 90 percent of enforcement cases involve private individuals. Just under 40 percent of these are linked to debts of less than €1,000.
In addition to the growth in debtor numbers, the overall case volume is also increasing.
By the end of September, 1.5 percent more enforcement cases had been filed than during the same period last year. The Enforcement Authority expects close to 2.8 million cases by year-end.
Property sales through enforcement have also grown. By the end of September, asset sales had been initiated in 12 percent more cases than last year. A total of 3,100 asset sales have already taken place, marking a 16 percent year-on-year increase.
“The number of completed sales is clearly higher than last year, but open sales cases have also risen,” said Veikko Minkkinen, Director General of the Enforcement Authority.
At the end of September, the number of ongoing sales cases was 14 percent higher than at the same time last year.
“Sales are accumulating, and the situation is not improving due to factors such as cautious consumer behaviour and a weak housing market,” Minkkinen said.
In contrast to the rise in debt-related enforcement, evictions show a slight decline. Eviction cases, both carried out and withdrawn by applicants, were down a few percentage points compared to last year. Filed evictions decreased by just over 3 percent, completed evictions by 5.5 percent, and cancellations by around 3 percent.
Despite the drop, eviction figures remain slightly above 2023 levels.
“Evictions are also becoming more complex. Increasing social and mental health problems among those evicted require bailiffs to spend more time coordinating with social and housing authorities,” Minkkinen said.
He added that the risk of violence and disruptive behaviour has grown, requiring more frequent police involvement during eviction operations.
Authorities are working to prevent evictions through joint efforts with multiple agencies.
At the same time, the amount of recovered debt transferred to creditors has reached record levels. By the end of September, the Enforcement Authority had recovered €1.147 billion. The annual total is expected to reach €1.4 billion, the highest on record.
Nearly half of the recovered funds come from wage or pension garnishments. Public authorities receive about €400 million per year from unpaid taxes, fines, and other public claims. The enforcement fees collected from debtors add around €90 million annually to the state budget.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
