As part of this year’s National Consumer Week, 2 to 8 November, the York Council’s Public Protection team is raising awareness of new rights for consumers when purchasing goods and services.

The Week, themed ‘Know Your Rights’, aims to give consumers more information about the Consumer Rights Act which came into force on 1 October 2015. The act clarifies how long consumers have to reject goods and limits traders to just one attempt to repair goods. For the first time, it includes specific rights when digital content, such as computer programs, are faulty.

The new Consumer Rights Act states that services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time for a reasonable price (where this has not been agreed beforehand).

Goods must now be:

• as described and the same as an sample or model shown beforehand
• of satisfactory quality, meaning fit for all usual purposes, safe and reasonably durable
• fit for any particular purpose made known
• installed correctly, for example in the case of fitted kitchens.

Consumers may now:

• reject faulty or mis-described goods for a full refund within 30 days of purchase or delivery, or ask for a free replacement or free repair when outside of the 30 days 
• require goods to be re-installed correctly for free 
• reject goods which remain faulty after a single repair is attempted, or chose to keep them and obtain a reduction on the purchase price 
• request a repeat performance of the service 
• reduce the price of the service to reflect the non-performance.

The Council said: “The new Consumer Rights Act offers more protection to consumers and it is important that they are aware of their rights which will help them to obtain the quality of goods and services they require.

“The council’s Public Protection service also provides support to local businesses to help them understand the implications of the Act and comply with the new legislation.”

For more advice on consumer rights or to find out more about the support which can be given to local businesses contact the Public Protection team on 01904 551525 or email public.protection@york.gov.uk

Further information about the act is also available for businesses at www.businesscompanion.info and consumers at www.citizensadvice.org.uk