Elderly relative ripped-off by builder.

anotherbob

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Hopefully the builder hasn't dotted the i's and crossed the t's so there is the right to cancel  

I'm told no paperwork was involved on the occasion of the cheque being handed over. My contact will check any emails that may have been exchanged subsequently.
Thanks again for your time.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

anotherbob said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Hopefully the builder hasn't dotted the i's and crossed the t's so there is the right to cancel  

I'm told no paperwork was involved on the occasion of the cheque being handed over. My contact will check any emails that may have been exchanged subsequently.
Thanks again for your time.

No trouble at all.

Generally the information for off-premises must be given on paper unless the consumer agrees to a different (durable) medium.

It's doubtful anything given will comply based on what you've said so far but worth double checking the emails or anything else such as text messages or things like messenger and if so I'll have a look over and advise if it complies..  

If there's not the correct info on the right to cancel I would advise sending an email, letter, etc to simply say.

Dear Builder's Name

With regards to the off-premises contracted formed at (address) on (date), I am writing to inform that I am exercising the right to cancel the contract under the The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and request, as required, a full refund of all payments made, within 15 days of the date of this email/letter. 

Sincerely
Relative's Name

This would make it clear you are cancelling in according with the regulations (which is required). If the trader comes back and says that only lasts 14 days you'd need to point out the extension due to the lack of required information covered here

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/3134/regulation/31

You can of course agree a payment plan but if that dwindles or you'd like the money sooner then the next step is letter before action.

For £9k I would find a firm on the net who sends these out, from what I've seen prices seem to range from £1.80 up to £18. You can of course find a template on Google and send one yourself but one from a solicitor firm might make more of an impact.

After that you'd have to look at the small claims court and consider the stress and headache this may cause vs the money and of course the prospect of being paid. 

Hopefully the contract isn't with an LTD and guy owns a home or at least some stuff he doesn't want bailiffs taking. 

Just to add when I say "you" that would mean your relative as it is they who formed the contract (assuming no power of attorney which might affect things)