Stoned-Dumb Luck in Cologne: Cleaning Company Misses Out on Cash Windfall
Thieves Head to Target Cash-Rich Establishment
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In a shocking turn of events, a cleaning company walked away empty-handed after uncovering a small fortune in an apartment – approximately 600,000 euros, as per a recent court ruling. The cleaning company sought a partial payment of 100,000 euros and a finder's fee, but their plea was denied, as announced by the Cologne Regional Court earlier this week.
Hailing from Bavaria, the aggrieved cleaning company was hired to clear out an apartment. While carrying out their duties, employees stumbled upon a hidden stash of cash, hidden away in diaper packs, among other odd places. A trove of jewelry and coins worth around 30,000 euros was also discovered.
The cleaning company claimed the hidden treasure, basing their claim on a contract clause that specified valuable items should be removed from the property by the client beforehand, and any remaining items would become the property of the cleaning company upon commencement of work.
However, the Cologne Regional Court declared this clause invalid, arguing that it puts the client at a disadvantage by assuming they intended to hand over vast amounts of cash and valuables worth hundreds of thousands of euros. Additionally, the court held that there was no basis for a finder's fee, since the cleaning company had not found a lost item but merely discovered already existing wealth.
Although the ruling, issued in early May, is not yet final, it serves as a reminder of the challenges service providers might face when encountering unexpected riches during regular duty.
(Source: ntv.de, AFP)
While no specific details were available about this case, it's important to note that contract validity and finder's fee eligibility in such disputes often hinge on the clarity and binding nature of the contract, as well as the specific stipulations regarding the finder's fee and discovered items. In cases where the contract is ambiguous or lacks essential details, it might be deemed invalid. Furthermore, courts assess the conditions under which the cash was found and the terms of the contract to determine the service provider's entitlement to a finder's fee.
The aggrieved cleaning company from Bavaria had hoped to receive a share of the 600,000 euros they found in an apartment, as stated in their contract that gave them ownership of any valuable items left behind. However, the Cologne Regional Court deemed their claim invalid, stating that the contract clause put the client at a disadvantage and failed to prove a case for a finder's fee, as the cash was not lost but already existing wealth.
