Consumer Rights Act 2015

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The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is a UK law that brings together existing consumer protections and adds new rights for buyers. It was introduced to simplify rules and modernize consumer protection, with most of its provisions taking effect in 2015.

What it covers
- Goods: If goods don’t meet the contract, you have at least 30 days to reject them. After 30 days, you can usually ask for repair or replacement, and if that’s not possible, a price reduction or refund.
- Digital content: This includes digital items like software, even if free. The same rules as goods apply: you can get repair or replacement, a price reduction, or a refund. There is no right to reject digital content, but the remedies are available. If digital content damages your device because the trader didn’t use reasonable care and skill, the trader is liable.
- Services: Services must be performed with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time. Any pre-contract or post-contract statements that influence your decision become binding terms. If a service is not as agreed, you can usually claim damages, or ask for repeat performance or a price reduction.

Unfair terms
- The Act keeps a fairness test: a term is unfair if it goes against good faith and creates a significant imbalance in rights and obligations to your detriment.
- Main terms about the subject matter aren’t normally unfair if they’re clear and prominent.
- A non-exhaustive “grey list” identifies terms likely to be unfair.

Competition and other changes
- The Competition Appeal Tribunal’s powers are expanded to be like the High Court, and there can be collective actions (class actions) on an voluntary opt-out basis, plus a voluntary redress scheme in competition matters.
- Letting agents must clearly display a list of fees in a prominent place and say if they’re part of a redress scheme.
- Ticket resellers must provide certain information, and event organisers cannot cancel or blacklist resellers unless allowed by the original ticket terms.

Overall purpose
- The Act consolidates and updates consumer protection, makes rights easier to understand, and aims to boost confidence for both consumers and businesses.