Stijn van Gassel, goalkeeper of Excelsior, demands almost 35,000 euros from a couple from Wassenaar who sold him a house in Rotterdam. The 655,000 euro house was advertised as completely renovated, but according to the Eredivisie goalkeeper, it is full of defects.
He wakes up with it and goes to bed with it: the major problems in his first home. He and his girlfriend bought the house in Rotterdam at the end of last year for 6.5 tons. “We are in misery every day,” 29-year-old Van Gassel told the preliminary relief judge in The Hague on Friday.
The problems cause him enormous stress. And as a top athlete who performs at the highest level, he doesn’t want that.
A lot has happened, the goalkeeper tells the judge. “Last week the fire brigade was at the door. Every day we get up, we hear the power point crackling and the water buzzing. That doesn’t make you happy. And that’s putting it mildly.”
Van Gassel was promoted to the Eredivisie with Excelsior in 2022. After a season at NEC, he returned to Kralingen last summer, where he is the first goalkeeper.
Biggest pain point: bathroom
The biggest pain point is the bathroom of the ground floor apartment. According to Van Gassel’s lawyer, the shower room was built with materials that are completely unsuitable for this purpose.
I get up every morning, come home every evening and check every time to see if there is anything else there
The plasterboard behind it appears to be rotten and heavily moldy. Three contractors would have determined this independently of each other, according to the lawyer. Water also flows from the bathroom to the rooms below and the central heating system causes problems.
Advance payment of 35,000 euros
According to Van Gassel’s lawyer, the flue gas discharge does not meet the applicable guidelines. To restore this, a custom-made built-in wardrobe in the bedroom must be demolished. Costs: approximately 4,000 euros.
The goalkeeper states that the defects were already present when the home was delivered. Paying for the repairs himself and recovering the costs later is not an option for him, because he lacks the financial buffer.
That is why he asks the judge for an advance of almost 35,000 euros for repair work.
‘Knew nothing’
For Van Gassel, the conflict has gone on long enough. “I get up every morning, come home every evening and check every time to see if there is anything else there,” he says. “We would rather not make our private lives public. This is already such a hassle. But we hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
The sellers, a couple from Wassenaar, firmly reject the demand. According to their lawyer, they know nothing about the problems and cannot know about them. The couple says they have enjoyed living in the home for many years.
Van Gassel will not settle for anything less than a completely new bathroom and a new flue gas discharge
In fact, according to the sellers, it is the buyer who is making mistakes. Van Gassel waived a structural inspection, despite the advice of his financial advisor to have it carried out, their lawyer told the judge.
Do research
The sellers also believe that this case does not belong in summary proceedings. According to them, more extensive research is needed to determine exactly what defects there are, when they occurred and who is responsible for them.
The couple also says that they have always been willing to solve the problems. They offer to have an investigation conducted and repairs carried out, but according to their lawyer, Van Gassel rejects this.
“If it had been up to them, this matter would have been settled long ago and we would not be here today,” says the couple’s lawyer. “Van Gassel will not settle for anything less than a completely new bathroom and a new flue gas discharge.”
Which solution?
The preliminary relief judge calls the issue ‘a bit sour’, but ‘manageable’. It is clear to the judge that something is going on that needs to be addressed quickly. He wonders exactly what repair work is needed.
My feeling is that repair costs have to be paid. But I find it difficult to determine what amount should be attached to this.
The judge therefore suggests that the parties jointly appoint an independent expert who will re-examine the home. He also encourages them to reach a financial arrangement among themselves. A suspension for consultation will not result in an agreement on Friday.
“My feeling is that repair costs have to be paid,” he says. “But I find it difficult to determine what amount should be attached to this.”
Whether the sellers actually have to contribute to the repair costs will become clear on June 26. The preliminary relief judge will then make a ruling.