Vereniging Eigen Huis opens hotline to curb aggressive sales of home‑energy upgrades

The Dutch consumer association Vereniging Eigen Huis (VEH) has launched a dedicated reporting point for homeowners who feel pressured, misled or insufficiently informed when purchasing sustainability products such as home batteries, heat‑pump systems, solar panels and insulation. The move follows a rise in complaints about aggressive sales tactics, including vague offers, high deposits and companies posing as utilities or municipalities.

The hotline will collect reports, analyse patterns and enable VEH to warn consumers and, if necessary, alert market parties or regulators. "Huiseigenaren willen best verduurzamen, maar ze moeten wel kunnen vertrouwen op wat hun wordt beloofd," said Cindy Kremer, VEH’s general director. The association urges homeowners to seek independent advice and only sign contracts when offers are clear.

VEH aims to improve transparency in the rapidly expanding market for home‑energy upgrades, especially as the net‑metering (salderingsregeling) scheme ends in 2027 and demand for batteries and heat pumps grows.