A trader's guide to contracts concluded in consumers' homes or workplaces
(for all nations)
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The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 apply to any contract where goods or services are supplied costing over £35 to a consumer, that is signed by the consumer at their home, place of work, at another individual's home or on an excursion organised by the trader away from their business premises. The Regulations set the cooling off period to a minimum of seven calendar days and require cancellation rights to be clearly and prominently displayed.
There are a number of contracts the Regulations do not apply to such as contracts under £35, contracts for food and drink delivered by regular roundsmen, and insurance contracts. There are also some specified goods and services where if the consumer has agreed to have work started within the seven day cooling-off period, and then decide to cancel they will have to pay for the work done so far (includes advertising, personalised goods, and perishable goods). The notice of the right to cancel must be dated and given to the customer at the time the contract is made and must contain certain specified information.
Failure to provide a notice of the right to cancel to your customers is a criminal offence.
