Doorstep selling rules tightened

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Doorstep sellers must give consumers the right to a seven-day cooling-off period, but householders still need to take care with rogue traders.

Under the new rules, people now have seven days to cancel contracts that they have signed following a visit from a salesman.

But they face having to pay "reasonable expenses" if they cancel after work has already started.

Separate rules have relaxed planning laws when residents extend their homes.

High-pressure sales

Previous laws aimed at protecting people from high-pressure sales in the home only offered a cooling-off period when a salesman cold-called.

For far too long doorstep selling has been an area in which unfair trading practices have thrived Susan Marks, Citizens Advice

This has now been extended to any agreements signed, even if a salesman has been invited to the householder's home.

Doorstep sellers must also inform consumers of their right to cancel within a week, if the transaction costs more than £35.

"These new regulations will mean that the law is a lot clearer for consumers. People buying goods in their own home now have a safety net of seven days in which to change their mind, regardless of who arranged the visit," said Colin Brown, of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Last year, government helpline Consumer Direct received more than 50,000 complaints about goods and services bought from doorstep sellers; primarily home improvements, double glazing and gardening services.

Warning

The new rules come six years after a super-complaint to the OFT by Citizens Advice.

Susan Marks, the charity's consumer affairs policy officer, said that they would be closely monitoring how well the new law was working, especially for the elderly and vulnerable.

"For far too long doorstep selling has been an area in which unfair trading practices have thrived," she said.

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) also welcomed the changes, but stressed that there was still an opportunity for rogue traders to take advantage.

The TSI's doorstep crime expert Steve Playle said that consumers should be aware of workers pressurising them to start work straight away.

If a consumer signs to give permission for an immediate start and then cancels within the next seven days, they will be liable from any "reasonable costs" incurred by the trader.

"Consumers should always take time to think about agreeing to any work on their home, taking the opportunity to shop around and get more quotes first," said Mr Playle.

Extending regulations

Another change in the law came into force on 1 October that could save people thinking of extending their home time and money.

THE NEW RULES FROM 1 OCTOBER Loft conversions allowed up to 8ins (20cm) outwards from the eaves of the roofLofts no bigger than 50 cubic metres (18ft x 12ft) for semi-detached and detached homes and 40 cubic metres for terraced housesSingle or two-storey rear extensions allowed up to 10ft (3m) from the original houseLoft conversions still restricted in conservation areas but ground-floor rear extensions allowedBuilding regulations still apply to all conversions <a class="" href="http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html">Interactive guide to changes</a>

With the housing market in a slump, householders could turn to improvements to increase the value of their home. Typically a loft conversion adds 11% to the property's value.

Now, extensions to properties will in many cases not require planning permission from the local council.

The government estimates that as many as 80,000 people could save up to £1,000 and a great deal of time.

About 90% of planning applications of this kind were granted previously, and the government wants local councils to have more time to concentrate on bigger projects.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) welcomed the changes when they were announced but warned that there was still the danger of arguments between neighbours when work was done.

The reforms also relax the rules on planning permission for driveways.