A wide range of goods and services are sold in the home.

This facility is useful for many consumers and for some it is essential. Many of these sales are trouble-free, but there is growing evidence of high-pressure selling practices, together with shoddy workmanship, particularly targeted at older and vulnerable people and usually associated with property maintenance.

The Office of Fair Trading estimates that there are in the region of 16,000 bogus doorstep trading cases reported to trading standards departments each year, but the real total is likely to be far higher.

At present the law gives consumers certain rights in respect of doorstep selling, but these rights depend on whether the visit was solicited or unsolicited. "The Doorstep Selling Regulations" give consumers:

The right to a seven-day cooling-off period, during which they may cancel an agreement to buy goods or services worth more than £35 from a trader whose visit is unsolicited.

The same right to a seven-day cooling-off period where a visit by a trader follows an unsolicited doorstep or telephone approach.

Traders who fail to inform consumers in writing of their right to a cooling-off period commit a criminal offence

Door-to-door sellers must provide a notice setting out cancellation rights when any agreement is made. Failure to do so makes the agreement unenforceable.

If goods such as a fitted kitchen are installed in your home during the seven-day cooling-off period you can still cancel the contract, but you may still be liable for the costs associated with the installation of the goods.

A new law is proposed to tackle bogus doorstep sellers. The Property Repairs (Prohibition of Cold-Calling) Bill is scheduled for its Second Reading on March 12 and, as the name suggests, seeks to ban cold-calling for property repairs.

City of York Council Trading Standards is often called upon to assist where bogus trading as a result of doorstep selling has occurred.

The consumer detriment in individual cases is clear and it is high, especially as victims are usually vulnerable people and the result is often considerable distress as well as financial loss.

York residents can take advantage of the Home Services Directory. This was set up as a partnership between City of York Council Trading Standards, Age Concern (York), the Safer York Partnership and the police.

The Home Services Directory is a list of traders, such as builders, handypersons, decorators and electricians who have undergone a rigorous vetting procedure.

The list is available to older and vulnerable people and is free of charge.

To obtain a list or for advice on any other consumer matter please telephone City of York Council Trading Standards on 01904 551562 or call at 9 St Leonard's Place. Alternatively email us at trading.standards@york.gov.uk

Updated: 11:56 Thursday, March 18, 2004