Pressured Into Buying at Your Door or by Phone? Your Cancellation Rights (UK)

A salesperson at the door, or a slick phone pitch, and suddenly you have agreed to a boiler, solar panels, insulation, or a service contract you are not sure about. The law gives you a strong escape route. Here is how to use your cancellation rights.

The 14-day cancellation right

For most contracts agreed away from a trader's premises (your home, your workplace) or at a distance (phone, online), the Consumer Contracts Regulations give you 14 days to cancel for any reason — no fault required. The clock generally starts when the contract is made (services) or when goods are delivered.

If they didn't tell you about it

If the trader failed to inform you of your cancellation right, the cancellation period is extended by up to 12 months. That is a powerful remedy against high-pressure doorstep sellers who hide the right.

Extra protection for doorstep deals

• For off-premises contracts above a low threshold, traders generally cannot start work or take full payment during the cancellation period without your express request.
• Aggressive or misleading sales tactics are banned under consumer protection law and can make the contract challengeable.

How to cancel

1. Cancel in writing within the period (email is fine) — keep a copy and the date.
2. Stop any payments set up, and tell your bank if needed.
3. If they installed something or started work, you may owe a fair amount only if you expressly asked them to begin early.

A cancellation letter template

Dear [Trader],

Re: Cancellation of contract dated [date]

I am cancelling the contract I agreed [at my home / over the phone] on [date]
under my right to cancel within the Consumer Contracts Regulations. [If relevant:
you did not inform me of this right, so my cancellation period is extended.]

Please confirm the cancellation, refund any payments, and arrange collection of
any goods. Do not take any further payment.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name and contact details]

Never feel locked in by a doorstep or phone sale. Cancel in writing within 14 days — and if they never told you about that right, you may have up to a year.