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Consumer Trading

Consumers’ contracts (persons who contract outside their normal trade or business) are subject to the Consumer Rights and The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Changes) Regulations 2013. This section details the requirements.

Traders are required to provide their consumer customers with written notice of their right to cancel a contract, and within the 14 day notice period the consumer is then entitled to cancel. Contracts with consumers are illegal and unenforceable until the notice to cancel has been served. Terms and conditions can include the notices requirements or the notice can be delivered via an electronic means. It is important the consumer is made aware of their rights. 

In collaboration with BESA (Building Engineering Services Association), The ECA has summarised the law and provides members with a means by which their consumer customers can be lawfully managed.

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Onerous Terms and Conditions

0.30MB

ECA guidance note explaining onerous terms & conditions when trading with consumers

Published 15 Jan 2019 Last reviewed 13 Jan 2022
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Trading with Consumers: Form 1

0.09MB

ECA & BESA template with instructions concerning legal rights to cancel contract

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Trading with Consumers: Form 2

0.08MB

ECA & BESA template with instructions to cancel within the cancellation period

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Trading with Consumers: Form 3

0.14MB

ECA & BESA template on 'Asking us to carry out Works during the Cancellation Period'

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Trading with Consumers: Form 4

0.16MB

ECA & BESA template with instructions to stop work during the cancellation period

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Trading with Consumers: Form 5

0.30MB

ECA & BESA template with model advice when a dispute starts

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