Is 123wonen.nl Safe?

Bunch of cunning scammers! In June, July and August 2024 we rented a house in the Dr. Nolensstraat near the Wilhelminapark in Tilburg. Before we went to the Netherlands, we signed the contract "online", at the request of the landlord and 123Wonen Tilburg. Upon arrival and after these three months, the gwe status (gas, water and electricity) was recorded. Shortly after departure, at the beginning of September, we asked for the settlement of "gwe" for these three months. "The rent includes gwe, so there are no extra costs" was the answer (via WhatsApp) from the landlord. Apparently, the total rent, in his eyes, was the starting rent (1595) plus the advance "gwe" (200)! The advance gwe was simply not offset against the final gwe as stated in the contract. Only if the consumption was higher than the advance, you had to pay extra. If the consumption was lower than the advance, you simply got nothing back!! In other words, the tenant is always the loser! Then, on September 25, 2024, we filed a complaint via the 123Wonen website. "I know the contract. There is indeed an advance payment for gas, water and electricity. However, the landlord informed you at the kitchen table that the amount was fixed, so if you used more, you had to pay extra and if you used less, you got nothing back! They have been doing that for years" was the literal answer (via email) from 123Wonen (M. Immink). The part in this sentence that starts with "However, the landlord informed you at the kitchen table, etc." is just an outright lie. The 123Wonen employee had already left before our first conversation started and that advance payment was not even discussed at that time. Apart from this blatant lie (not exactly the kind of advertising that a self-respecting company is waiting for!), it is ultimately about the content of the contract and this contract had already been signed by both parties before we left for the Netherlands. No wonder the landlord has been trying to continue this lucrative game "for years". The advance payment simply had a completely different meaning in our contract than what the landlord and 123Wonen came up with afterwards! Finally 123Wonen: reactions are welcome, but (more) lies are not!!