Skip to main content

Boilers: Repairs and Maintenance

Volume 479: debated on Monday 21 July 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps the Government have taken to protect consumers from excessive charges for replacement boilers. (218179)

[holding answer 15 July 2008]: The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 requires a trader who agrees to provide a service—including the provision of a replacement boiler—to carry out that service with reasonable care and skill, for a reasonable charge (unless the price is fixed by contract) and within a reasonable time (unless the time is fixed by contract). It also requires that any goods and materials supplied are of satisfactory quality. If the trader fails to comply with these requirements the law treats the matter as breach of contract and a consumer could, if necessary, pursue a claim for redress through the civil courts.