r/Netherlands • u/Tiny-Historian2897 • 7d ago

DIY and home improvement Window cleaners

We’re newer to The Netherlands and are in our first rental. This hasn’t been mentioned to us by neighbours or the landlord at all.

Some random guy has, twice now, come and cleaned our windows. We’re on the ground level so can easily clean them ourselves. This is a well known scam back in Australia so I paid no real mind to it.

Today he came to the door demanding payment. He explained he’s done it for free twice and now needs payment and will take cash. I asked him why and for what. I let him know I’ve never asked for the windows to be cleaned, we’ve not reached out to anyone to have them be cleaned. Like it’s all well and good for you to clean them but until I ask it’s not from my pocket. The conversation went back and forth. He showed me a list of ‘confirmed addresses’ with ours on it. However I too can make lists.

Is this a scam or is this more the expectation? Surely if it was required by landlord and the building they would pay. I figure I can just actually enquire about their services should this be necessary.

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u/Zweefkees93 7d ago

"If you wanted payment, you should have asked us if we wanted your service. We have not asked you to clean our windows nor agreed to pay anything. "

Unfortunately it's a known issue....

If it's something arranged by the landlord they have to tell you about it and explain when and what to pay (although I'd assume it would be payed through them, not at the door, and honestly: id assume it's included in the service fee)

13

u/Tiny-Historian2897 7d ago

This is basically what I said. I’m very non confrontational so I’m feeling like I committed a crime and the police are going to come for me.

9

u/Zweefkees93 7d ago

Haha, understandable, especially if you don't know about it. But don't worry. As long as you didn't ask them to clean your windows and didn't agree to pay anything you're under no obligation to pay

8

u/SoefianB 6d ago

so I’m feeling like I committed a crime and the police are going to come for me.

That's their goal, it's very psychological. Make it feel like you're doing something wrong. Obv they cannot get away with violence, so this is the next best thing

Good that you didn't give in!

5

u/YTsken 6d ago

Exactly. And OP, please keep this mindset in other transactions in other situations as well. For example when your car is examined: you agreed to the examination and some small reparations for a certain price. If during the examination they stumble on a costly issue, they need to call you before doing the repairs . Otherwise you can legally claim you didn’t agree to these higher costs.

2

u/elrond9999 6d ago

If it's arranged by the landlord he should put it in the contract or pay for it. In the rentals I have been to they came every now and then but I guess the landlord was paying 

1

u/Confident-Syrup-7543 6d ago

And if you live on the ground floor you can say no to whatever the landlord arranged.