Köpa semesterboende och andelsboende (timeshare) - Engelska
Holiday and timeshare homes of various kinds are often sold directly at the holiday destination. A common type of accommodation is called timeshares – a residence you have access to in periods. The marketing is often aggressive so be sure that you have the information you need before you sign an agreement.
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Keep this in mind
Find out which contract applies – timeshare or long-term holiday product.
Make sure you get the information you are entitled to before signing the contract.
You have a 14-day right of withdrawal. If you have not received the correct information, your right of withdrawal is extended.
The company is not allowed to charge you during your withdrawal period.
If you purchase a long-term holiday product, you must pay according to an installment plan – other arrangements are prohibited.
More information
In many cases, vacationers are contacted on-site by a salesperson who, for example, hands out a lottery ticket. The prize is awarded at a vacation property where you, as a consumer, are offered to sign a contract for shared vacation ownership.
A good question to ask yourself is whether you will want access to this vacation property in the future? Read the contract carefully before signing it and discuss it with your relatives.
If you want to purchase any type of vacation or shared ownership property, you need to know which contract applies. For a property that you can use repeatedly, known as a timeshare, one type of contract applies. For a so-called long-term holiday product, where you get discounts on accommodation and similar, another type of contract applies. Both are covered by the same regulations but differ in terms of the information the seller is required to provide you.
Information for timeshare contracts
You are entitled to the following information:
- Information about the company (name, address, and corporate form)
- Description of the vacation property
- The contract’s validity period and when you have access to the property
- The price of the property and a summary of other costs associated with the contract (for example annual fees, local taxes, and other recurring charges).
- A summary of the services and facilities you have access to and that are included in the price (for example services such as electricity, water, maintenance, and waste collection, and facilities such as a sauna or gym).
It is important to remember that you should also receive information about your 14-day right of withdrawal and that it is prohibited for the company to charge you during these 14 days. The company must also inform you about how to terminate the contract.
Information for long-term holiday product contracts
You are entitled to the following information:
- Information about the company (name, address, and corporate form).
- A clear description of the services included in the contract, such as discounts on hotels and flights.
- The price for using the property (including recurring costs that may apply for additional services).
- The installment plan. It must include equal annual installments during the contract period and must have a due date.
It is important to remember that you should also receive information about your 14-day right of withdrawal and that it is prohibited for the company to charge you during these 14 days. You should not incur any other costs or obligations than those stated in the contract. The company must also inform you about how to terminate the contract.
If you buy a so-called “long-term holiday product”, you must pay according to a repayment plan. All other arrangements are prohibited. After the first repayment, you have a right to withdraw from the agreement without any penalty charge. You do so by contacting the company within 14 calendar days after you received the request for the next instalment.
You have a right of withdrawal by law if you:
- Sign a timeshare agreement that is longer than one year and gives you the right to use one or more overnight accommodations for more than one time period.
- If you sign an agreement on a so-called “long-term holiday product”.
The withdrawal period, meaning the time you have to withdraw from the agreement, is 14 days from the date you sign the agreement. If you have received the information that you are entitled to, your right of withdrawal is extended to three months and 14 days. If you have not received information or signed a separate agreement section that concerns the right of withdrawal and prohibition against down-payments, the right of withdrawal is extended to one year and 14 days.
Down-payments are not permitted during your withdrawal period
It is prohibited for the company to charge you during the withdrawal period. If you choose to enter into a contract, it may be advantageous to pay with a credit card. If you cancel the contract, you can then direct a claim for a refund to the credit provider if the company refuses to refund you. In some cases, you have the right to request a refund from the bank even if you have paid with a debit card, depending on the terms and conditions.
Getting your money back if you paid by card
