News from Peterborough City Council

Peterborough City Council's business regulation section is offering advice on new nationwide consumer protection legislation introduced to help protect consumers against being unable to cancel an agreement with salespeople and traders selling goods and services during home visits.

 

The new law, introduced on 1 October 2008, protects consumers by allowing them seven days to cancel an agreement made with a trader who visits them in their own home, provided the goods cost over £35.

 

The Doorstep Regulations cover all salespeople who visit consumers to sell goods or services despite being invited to their home or place of work or not.

 

A trader must now provide a written cancellation form, whether or not a written contract is provided. The form should be dated, be easily legible and indicate the right of the consumer to cancel the contract within the seven day cancellation period.

 

Jane Day, senior adviser and education officer at the council's business regulation team, said: "The aim of this new legislation is to provide a chance for consumers to give careful consideration before entering into contracts and so deal more effectively with legitimate traders."

 

Advice on consumer rights can be obtained by contacting Consumer Direct on: 08454 04 05 06.