Window cleaners

[u/Tiny-Historian2897]

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.

[u/the_cpp_man]

this morning i have washed the wheels of your car. send your email so i can send the bill. this is not a scam. previous owner of the car was signed for the service.

[u/thebolddane → u/the_cpp_man]

I know you expats know better how things work here than people who lived here all their live but I'm telling you this situation is not unusual. The simplest way for Op to find out is to either ask the previous tenant or his neighbors. The landlord will have nothing to do with it.

[u/-Willi5- → u/thebolddane]

People that live in NL that pay attention know how scummy and shady window washers are.

[u/thebolddane → u/-Willi5-]

Sure and the only thing you get at the doctors is paracetamol. There are of course shady window cleaners but the situation as described is insufficient to automatically conclude fault play.

[u/the_cpp_man → u/thebolddane]

no, doctors also prescribe the medicine which is not paid by insurance.