Timeshare Bulletin Board

May 2002 - Summary of responses to the consultation paper 'Timeshare Sales - Improving the Protection of Consumers' 

A summary of the responses to the Department's consultation paper which reviewed whether aspects of UK legislation needs updating is now available.

  ( 7 pages).

Responses to the consultation are available for inspection in the Department of Trade & Industry Library, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET subject to a prior appointment having been made.  Please telephone John Gillam on 020 7215 6226 (e-mail: John.Gillam@dti.gsi.gov.uk ) for an appointment.

November 2002 - Consultation on amendments to the Timeshare Act 1992; and  proposed new Timeshare (Cancellation Information) Order.

This consultation sets out the Government’s proposal to replace the requirement to provide separate cancellation notices and forms with a requirement to include information on cancellation rights and a cancellation coupon within the relevant contract. Under the proposals the Timeshare (Cancellation Notices) Order 1992 would be repealed and the relevant requirements set out in the new Timeshare (Cancellation Information) Order.

Consultation papers.

Timeshare Resales

Do you own a timeshare week? Have your circumstances or lifestyle changed? Are you thinking of selling? Have you ever wondered how much your week is now worth?

Be extremely cautious if you are cold called from overseas by resale companies who claim to have buyers willing to pay prices that sound too good to be true! As a result of these calls some owners have paid anything up to £850 in up front fees to sell their Timeshare only to get nothing but broken promises in return.

It works like this - owners are cold called by these 'resellers' claiming to have buyers willing to purchase their Timeshare, often for more than the original price paid. This is often followed up with a fax of a sample contract with the name of the potential buyer on it. Once the owner pays the up front fee, sales rarely take place. Where there is a sale, the price paid barely covers the fee.

If you are cold called or faxed at home with offers to sell your Timeshare for an up front fee, think extremely carefully before parting with any money. Where at all possible seek independent advice and undertake your own research to determine the current market value of your 'week' before entering into any contract. Remember that it can often be difficult to sell a timeshare and that it may not always be possible to obtain the price you think it is worth.

The Association of Timeshare Owners Committees (TATOC) are an excellent source of further advice and information for owners wishing to sell. There are also a number of resale companies in the UK who operate under 'no sale no fee' arrangements. The trade body, The Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) have resale companies amongst its members, these follow a code of ethics and OTE provides a free advisory and conciliatory service for anyone who deals with its members.

  Timeshare - Making the Right Choice

This leaflet provides a basic guide to consumer's rights when purchasing Timeshare and also warns consumers about those holiday products, such as holiday and vacation clubs, which fall outside the scope of the Regulations.

Timeshare - Making the Right Choice
Printed version

Please click on the button to access our Fact Sheet on Timeshare and Timeshare sales.

This more detailed guide can be read on-line and gives further advice on Timeshare legislation. It also contains useful contacts and addresses.

DTI Contact

The DTI cannot give any advice on individual cases. Consumers with Timeshare problems should read our Fact Sheet which gives advice on what to do.

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