Householders now have cooling-off rights over doorstep sales

The new rights mean that from October 1, anyone buying from a sales rep visiting them in their own home will have seven days to cancel the agreement.

Before this, people who did something to invite a trader to their home, such as responding to an advertisement, had no cancellation rights at all.

The new cooling-off period applies to all doorstep sales of goods and services costing 35 or more, including those responsible for most of the problems reported to the CAB, such as gas and electricity; disability aids and adaptations; double glazing and other home improvements; domestic appliances such as vacuum cleaners; building work and repairs; and also linked credit agreements.

National charity Citizens Advice was responsible for the original "super complaint" to the Office of Fair Trading that led to the new safeguards.

Rother CAB manager Glenn Jopson said: "We are delighted that at long last people have the clear cancellation rights they need.

"For far too long doorstep sales reps have been able to get away with using high-pressure sales tactics to trap people into expensive contracts they couldn't escape, sometimes targeting vulnerable elderly and disabled people.

"These new cancellation rights should help put an end to this, but we want to make sure people know about them and are not afraid to use them. We would also urge anyone having problems to come to us for free, independent advice.

"If you buy from a sales rep in your own home, your cancellation rights should be made clear in your paperwork, so if you can't see them, get advice straight away."

For more information contact: Rother District Citizens Advice Bureau

Bank Chambers, Buckhurst Rd, Bexhill-on-sea, East Sussex TN40 1QF

Mondays and Wednesdays 10-12noon and 2-4pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays Thurs 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Fridays 9.30am-1.30pm. Telephone (01424] 215055 and (01424] 734549