Seniors can face unique issues related to home ownership, maintenance, contracts, property disputes, and more. Read on for some of the common problems that seniors face when dealing with their homes.
Someone came to my door wanting to sell me new windows. They made me sign a contract before they left. I don't want this work done. What can I do?
In New York State, there are special rules for door-to-door sales. These are sales where someone comes to your house to sell you something. You have the right to cancel this kind of sale. You can cancel until midnight of the third business day after you signed the paper. This means you have a few days to think about it and cancel if you want to.
To cancel, you must write a letter to the seller. You can mail this letter to them. The seller must tell you about your right to cancel. The time to cancel starts when they tell you about this right. Make sure you read about getting your money back too.
I signed a contract to fix my driveway, but I'm not happy with the work. Some parts are not finished, and the work looks bad. What can I do?
You have the right to tell the contractor you are not happy. Ask them to finish the work the right way or give you your money back. Write down your problems and keep a copy for yourself. If the contractor won't fix the problems, you can take them to court. You must start a lawsuit within six years of when they broke the contract.
If you want $3,000 or less, you can use small claims court. You can also call the New York State Attorney General's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-771-7755 to make a complaint.
I want to fix my roof, but the contractor won't give me a written contract. Should I still hire them?
Last Reviewed: July 5, 2023