Smart consumers know their rights under Ontario's Consumer Protection Laws.  As a consumer in Ontario, you have the following rights.

1. The right to be informed.  Ontario law requires clear, comprehensible and prominent disclosure in contracts of key details to ensure informed choices.
2. The right to freedom from false,  misleading statements / misrepresentation.
3. The right to fair estimates - and the right to refuse to pay any cost more than 10% above the estimate given.
4. The right to freedom from unwanted goods / services - negative option billing and billing  for unsolicitated goods / services are effectively prohibited.
5. The right to approve or reject material changes in ongoing services or goods.
6. The right to a warranty of reasonable quality of goods and services.
7. The right to cancel contracts if goods or services are not delivered after 30 days from the promised date.
8. The right to cancel fitness club, door-to-door sales and timeshare agreements within a 10 day cooling off period with a full refund of any advance payment or deposit.
9. Freedom from ransom - no supplier can hold goods in order to renegotiate the contract price of a move or repair.
10. The right to be heard - your right to complain or sue cannot be taken away by any contract.

For more about your consumer rights, how to file a complaint and ways to protect yourself in the marketplace visit the Ministry of Consumer Services at www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection or e-mail them directly by clicking here.

    Deborah Gilmore...Your Trusted Source For Anything Real Estate!