The "Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work etc Regulations (2008)" offer buyers increased protection when purchasing goods or services from a seller in the home (or in someone else's home), at the buyer's place of work, or on an excursion.
If you are looking for legal documents to start up your business we have what you need on this website. Use the menu or search box to find your documents.
The Doorstep Selling Regulations were largely introduced to avoid consumers being pressured into sales in their own home. This kind of pressure selling is often associated professional salesmen working for certain types of industry. However, the Regulations also apply to, amongst others, those tradesmen that carry out work in consumer's home which might then lead to a further sale. For example: a plumber repairing a heating system.
A buyer is entitled to cancel the contract for such a purchase above the value of £35 within seven calendar days (the 'cooling-off' period). The Regulations cover both solicited (invited) and unsolicited (uninvited) visits.
The seller must advise the buyer in writing of their right to cancel a contract - this information must usually be set out in the contract and should be legible and have equal prominence to any other part of the agreement. To cancel the contract the buyer must do so in writing and either post, deliver in person or e-mail the seller. A cancellation form should be provided by the seller although the buyer does not have to use it.
The Regulations do not apply to all contracts. Further information can be found at the website of the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.
Our general Standard Terms and Conditions documents have versions which are compliant with the Doorstep Selling Regulations. Trade specific documents in the "T&Cs Documents by Trade" section, accessible by the dropdown list at the top of the menu column on the left, also have doorstep selling versions where applicable.
We also have a range of other individual documents or document subscriptions useful for business. See the menu on the left or use the search box near the top of the page.