Terms and Conditions

The website of doubledutch will provide you with the general program conditions and fees. Below, you will find the specific application and cancellation terms and conditions.

1. By returning and/or signing the application form, the host family enters into a legally binding contract with doubledutch and agrees to all cost and conditions described in this document and on the website www.ddutch.eu .
2. doubledutch processes all applications in order of availability and retains the right to refuse applications if a valid reason can be found.
3. Propositions of applicants do not take effect until doubledutch has received the completed application form and down payment as described in clauses 6 and 7.
4. doubledutch accepts no liability of any kind for any inconvenience, loss of or damage to property, or any loss or injury howsoever arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission of any applicant introduced by doubledutch even if such an act or omission is negligent or fraudulent or reveals dishonesty.
5. doubledutch does not accept any responsibility, neither if the applicant does not arrive on time, nor if the applicant leaves earlier than agreed. doubledutch cannot guarantee that an applicant will complete his or her proposed length of stay or engagement
6. The host family agrees to a payment of maximum € 75 for the interview/intake. The amount must be paid cash during the interview.
7. The host family agrees to pay 35% of the mediation fee as a deposit for mediation and/or placement of an au pair at the moment of the registration or at the moment of activating a new application. Registration means returning the signed registration form to doubledutch. Activation of a new application is defined as the moment the host family asks doubledutch orally or in writing to find a new au pair.
8. The host family agrees to paying the remainder of the mediation and placement fee when accepting an au pair file.
9. Invoices have to be paid within 2 weeks of the date of invoice. Once this term has passed, the host family is in default (and legal interest is obligatory). Every amount that has not been paid on the agreed maturity date will be increased with 15% with a minimum of € 69,00 by way of damages and with delay interests of 12% per year. If the payment has not been received within the specified time frame, doubledutch passes the claim to the collection agency C&B bvba (C&B ltd). If this is the case, doubledutch will charge an additional recovery cost of € 250,00 for orders in Belgium, in other countries, cost to be determined according to the contract. The host family has to pay every costs, including the collection costs that are the result of this procedure. Only the courts of Antwerp are competent to settle disputes.
10. If the host family wishes to cancel the agreement, the following matters apply:
    • If the host family has not accepted an au pair found by doubledutch within 4 months after opening the contract, this will automatically result in cancellation, unless it has been agreed upon otherwise.
    • In all other cases, doubledutch will only accept cancellation by the host family if such cancellation is sent in writing by registered mail and if the letter includes the reason of cancellation.
    • If the host family cancels the agreement after signing the registration form and before paying the deposit, the client still has to pay 35% of the mediation fee the way it is described in clause 7. doubledutch has to judge whether this amount may be transferred to a future placement.
    • The host family still has to pay 65% of the mediation fee to doubledutch if the agreement between the au pair and the host family is terminated within or before 21 days before the arrival of the au pair. doubledutch cannot be compelled to refund or to acquit (a part of) the amount due.
    • doubledutch cannot be compelled to refund or to acquit (a part of) the amount due if the agreement between doubledutch and the host family and/or between the host family and doubledutch is terminated within 20 days or less before the arrival of the au pair, or after arrival of the au pair. If the mediation cost has not been paid completely yet at the moment of annulment, the host family still has to pay the total amount (100%) to doubledutch.
    • If the agreement between the host family and the au pair is terminated early, because of annulment by the au pair, the people working for doubledutch will try as hard as they can to find a new au pair within 30 days, on condition that the host family has paid the mediation cost within the time of payment.
    • doubledutch will under no circumstances refund of acquit ( a part of) the total amount due.
11. After an initial 12 months' mediation period, the host family is entitled to a discount when applying for a consecutive placement, according to the following scheme. This discount scheme is only valid for placements of the same duration and only for placements of the same type (au pair/au pair placements or au pair+/au pair + placements). doubledutch only gives a discount if all terms of payment have been respected.
    • A 10% discount for a second 12 months' mediation period
    • A 15% discount for a third 12 months' mediation period
12. These discounts only apply for mediation costs for 12 months and only if the 2nd mediation is done continuously. Discounts will only be given on present mediation costs and they will be deducted from the last invoice, or the second invoice ( in the event of of a discount of more than 10%). If prices have risen, discounts will be deducted from the valid mediation costs.
13. If the host family wishes to continue using the services of doubledutch, the host family should inform doubledutch at least 3 months before the end of the first mediation period.
14. If a host family wants to start a new au pair procedure, the family has to agree again on a 35%-payment of the mediation costs as an initial payment at activation of the new request. The request will be activated when the host family asks doubledutch orally or in writing to look for a new au pair. Discounts are deducted from the last invoice.
15. If the host family does not meet its obligations towards doubledutch, the company is authorised to end the agreement immediately.
16. Disputes between the host family and the au pair are presented to doubledutch. doubledutch will settle this dispute, with due respect for reasonableness and fairness.
17. For valid reasons, both the host family and the au pair can collectively or individually decide to break earlier made agreements concerning the period of stay of the au pair in the family. Both parties are subject to a two weeks' notice.
18. If the host family or the au pair have weighty, urgent reasons to break the agreement, both the host family and the au pair can collectively or individually decide immediately to break the earlier made agreements concerning the period of stay of the au pair in the family, without due regard for the notice. doubledutch always has to judge whether this is possible or not.
19. In the event of point 17, the host family retains its right to a free replacement of the au pair for the rest of the mediation period if this period has not yet expired for over 10% and if the host family has complied with all the costs of the programme and all the requirements, the way it has been agreed on during the interview. doubledutch always has to judge whether this is possible or not.
20. in the event of point 18, the host family may loose the right to have a free replacement of the au pair if the weighty/urgent reasons are the result of non-compliance with the programme rules and the matters agreed on during the interview. doubledutch always has to judge whether this is possible or not.
21. According to the Belgian law, the host family is obliged to take out a full health insurance for the duration of the au pair's stay. If the au pair becomes ill, the host family will continue to pay the pocket money for a maximum period of 15 days and the family will give the au pair the opportunity to visit a doctor. The host family is and remains responsible for board and lodging of the au pair during the entire period of stay of the au pair in the family.
22. The host family gives the right to doubledutch to provide the au pairs that are a member of the au pair club and that will participate in the programme in Belgium and/or the Netherlands withing a certain period with the e-mail address and telephone number of the au pair.
23. For presentation of the au pair to the authorities in charge and for payment of the costs involved,the host family has to apply for a work permit (where it is required) and the correct visa. The host family has to consult doubledutch to apply for a work permit. This involves a cost of € 325
24. doubledutch zal het gastgezin middels de website op www.ddutch.eu blijven informeren over eventuele wijzigingen in haar programma, voorwaarden en de visum regeling. Het gastgezin accepteert haar eigen verantwoordelijkheid in deze en zal regelmatig de website raadplegen om op de hoogte te blijven van eventuele veranderingen.