The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) has recommended clearer and fairer model contract terms to its members following discussions with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Draft model terms were submitted to the OFT by KBSA to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations. Following work with the OFT, KBSA has made a number of improvements to its model terms giving consumers a clearer and fairer deal including:

refunds of any pre-payments where consumers cancel their contract following price increases from the supplier

written reasons within 14 days of signing the contract of any additional costs and the right to cancel the contract where consumers' surfaces or services are found during a survey to be unsuitable for work to be completed

written details of any additional costs needed for the contract to be completed, limited to the unavoidable result of defects, where consumers' surfaces or services are found during installation to be unsuitable for work to be completed

advice to consumers from the supplier at the point of purchase if there is a variation in the specification of the products featured in the manufacturers' literature

payment of the final balance due on satisfactory completion, rather than practical completion (see note 3)

greater prominence to terms outlining the possibility of storage charges levied by the supplier in the event of the consumer changing the agreed delivery and installation date

details of any manufacturers' guarantee and consumers' statutory rights

informing consumers about their responsibility to get written planning permission, if necessary, before installation starts.

Christine Wade, Director of Consumer Regulation and Enforcement at OFT, said:

'We are pleased that Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association asked us for comments on its draft model terms. The new  model contract will act as a blueprint for KBSA members helping suppliers to give consumers a clear and fair deal.'

The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association is a trade association of SMEs who work across the industry the home improvements industry providing design, supply and installation of kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms and home offices. It currently has approximately 350 retail outlets, its model terms are for use by 220 members.