Cooling off period
A 'cooling off period' is a length of time during which the purchaser of goods or services has the right to cancel the purchase and obtain a refund.
The Consumer Rights Directive came into force in 2014, to clarify cancellation rights. It harmonised the cooling off period for goods and services sold by distance or off-premises to 14 days from the date of delivery. This means that a purchaser is able to cancel and get a refund within 14 days if they arranged the purchase by phone, online, by mail order or somewhere else outside their business.
It also makes certain contracts void in circumstances where the contract has been made in the purchaser’s home or place of business and a cooling off period has not been given. If a business does not provide details of how to cancel, the cooling off period is extended by 14 days from the date on which they are eventually received.
However, a purchaser does not automatically get a cooling off period if they have requested something that needs to be specially-made, such as windows, or if it relates to urgent repairs or maintenance.
For goods that are ordered, the cooling off period begins:
- The day after the delivery is made, if a single item (or several items delivered in one go) is ordered.
- The day after the last item is delivered if a one-off order is placed for items that will have a spread-out delivery.
- The day after the first delivery if an order is placed for several, spread-out deliveries of the same items.
As long as works have not begun, a purchaser can cancel the contract within 14 days. If the purchaser requested for the works to begin during the cooling off period then part of the agreed price will have to be paid, depending on how much has been completed at the time of the request to cancel. If the works are begun during the cooling off period without the purchaser’s approval, the purchaser will have the right to cancel with a full refund of costs.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
This CIOB article explores the concept of value in building design and construction.
BREEAM and Measurabl announce integration to improve the financial performance of commercial real estate.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' release new images of soon-to-open 3WTC tower in New York.
A document can be called a bond or a guarantee. Does the name matter and what is the difference between them?
New briefing note is launched focusing on increasing knowledge of housing that promotes health and wellbeing.
Arbitration is a private, contractual form of dispute resolution used in the construction industry.
The European Parliament has approved a revised Energy Performance of Buildings directive.
One in six MPs supports the ring-fencing of retentions as proposed in the 'Aldous Bill'.
A stakeholder is anyone who has an interest in the process or outcome of a construction project.
BRE launches online self-assessment tool for ethical labour sourcing.
Tower refurbishment failed to meet safety standards on several counts, according to leaked report.