Latest News
Five representatives from the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) are taking on the notorious Tough Mudder obstacle course this summer in support of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Step 2 It campaign. Juliette Fletcher, Sam Keshavarzi, ...
Designers of bathrooms for people with a range of physical, cognitive and sensory impairments, Fine & Able has joined the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO). Membership of the voluntary, government approved Ombudsman scheme demonstra...
James Walker joins as independent Non-Executive Director at Dispute Resolution Ombudsman. The Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, incorporating the Furniture & Home Improvement and Rail Ombudsman, has today announced that tech entrepreneur and consumer...
Online homeware store invests in consumer protection as strong growth continues. Homeware retailer Cox & Cox has joined the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) as it’s reported sales growth of +74.5% year on year for its financial ...
Q: Can a retailer sell an item with known cosmetic damage from the showroom and as long as the customer accepts this at point of sale (face to face, not online) the item cannot be returned for this reason? A: In relation to ex-display or returned goo...
Furniture, lighting and gift store Albert Graham Ltd., has joined the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), giving their customers greater confidence and equipping them with additional protection and assurance. For more than a quarter of a...
It is with regret that the Board have accepted Vince Linnane’s resignation today in respect of his role as a non-executive director of the company. Vince has his own business interests and clients and he needs to dedicate more time to this area durin...
Plumbing, heating and green energy company Heatforce has joined the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), demonstrating their continuous dedication to promoting fair trade and protecting consumer’s rights. The independent, not-for prof...
One of Britain’s largest furniture repair specialists, Homeserve Furniture Repairs has become an Industry Partner of the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO). When an organisation joins an Ombudsman Scheme, such as FHIO, they demonstrate ...
It is a truth universally acknowledged that obligations to ensure an installation project conforms to the plethora of legislation designed to protect consumers and ensure their safety, but there are some practical things consumers can do to ensure th...
A: Vulnerability can manifest in many ways and it is hard to define what makes one consumer more vulnerable than another and how their rights may vary. The first question which requires attention is, therefore, can you identify your vulnerable custom...
Q: We have just carried out a landscaping project for a consumer which has not gone to plan, leaving us in a situation where we cannot even put it back to what it was. The consumer wants a full refund, but whilst we agree that the result is not what ...
Latest News
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Five representatives from the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) are taking on the notorious Tough Mudder obstacle course this summer in support of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Step 2 It campaign. Juliette Fletcher, Sam Keshavarzi, ...
Designers of bathrooms for people with a range of physical, cognitive and sensory impairments, Fine & Able has joined the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO). Membership of the voluntary, government approved Ombudsman scheme demonstra...
James Walker joins as independent Non-Executive Director at Dispute Resolution Ombudsman. The Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, incorporating the Furniture & Home Improvement and Rail Ombudsman, has today announced that tech entrepreneur and consumer...
Online homeware store invests in consumer protection as strong growth continues. Homeware retailer Cox & Cox has joined the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) as it’s reported sales growth of +74.5% year on year for its financial ...
Q: Can a retailer sell an item with known cosmetic damage from the showroom and as long as the customer accepts this at point of sale (face to face, not online) the item cannot be returned for this reason? A: In relation to ex-display or returned goo...
Furniture, lighting and gift store Albert Graham Ltd., has joined the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), giving their customers greater confidence and equipping them with additional protection and assurance. For more than a quarter of a...
It is with regret that the Board have accepted Vince Linnane’s resignation today in respect of his role as a non-executive director of the company. Vince has his own business interests and clients and he needs to dedicate more time to this area durin...
Plumbing, heating and green energy company Heatforce has joined the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), demonstrating their continuous dedication to promoting fair trade and protecting consumer’s rights. The independent, not-for prof...
One of Britain’s largest furniture repair specialists, Homeserve Furniture Repairs has become an Industry Partner of the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO). When an organisation joins an Ombudsman Scheme, such as FHIO, they demonstrate ...
It is a truth universally acknowledged that obligations to ensure an installation project conforms to the plethora of legislation designed to protect consumers and ensure their safety, but there are some practical things consumers can do to ensure th...
A: Vulnerability can manifest in many ways and it is hard to define what makes one consumer more vulnerable than another and how their rights may vary. The first question which requires attention is, therefore, can you identify your vulnerable custom...
Q: We have just carried out a landscaping project for a consumer which has not gone to plan, leaving us in a situation where we cannot even put it back to what it was. The consumer wants a full refund, but whilst we agree that the result is not what ...
Latest Blogs
In our experience, there are several steps that consumers can take to ensure their home improvement project goes as smoothly as possible. Here are our five top tips: 1. Buy from a trader who is a member of an ADR scheme When it comes to home improvem...
Mattresses matter but what are the legal considerations of buying a mattress and when can you return something you don’t like? Changing your mattress can be an anxious time – particularly if you are sleeping well and find your current mattress comfor...
Three years on from the introduction of GDPR, Data Protection remains at the heart of the political agenda and the forefront of our minds as individuals remain concerned about how organisations are using their data. The implementation of the General ...
A: Estimates and Quotes are not the same documents with different names and can be used in different situations to achieve separate distinct aims. The first thing we would advise is, regardless of which you are using, make sure they are in writing an...
Sometimes with the best will in the world we are prevented from delivering on our promises due to circumstances that are wholly outside of our control. Force majeure clauses are used by businesses to protect them when such unforeseeable circumstances...
With spring upon us, many will be turning to garden upgrades and make-overs as the weather improves and lockdown restrictions begin to ease to allow meeting in private gardens and outdoor spaces. Hard and soft landscaping will add texture, character ...
For over a century, International Women’s Day, held on 8 March each year has marked a day of celebration and advocacy for women’s rights and equality around the world. To celebrate, Deputy Chief Ombudsman at the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, Judith ...
Sometimes with the best will in the world we are prevented from delivering on our promises due to circumstances that are seemingly outside of our control. The question we are often asked at the Ombudsman is: how are such matters dealt with in consum...
With the festive season upon us, and only six weeks to go until the big day ‘Guaranteed in time for Christmas’ is a phrase which consumers usually expect to see on promotional materials. Retailers are likely to be careful about any sweeping statement...
10 ways to improve reputation and encourage constructive feedback As we discussed in our short webinar today, and in the words of Bill Gates, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning”. The challenge, however, is using your co...
The Consumer Protection Alliance (CPA) has launched a DIY campaign to make sure that consumers stay safe whilst either attempting home improvement or handing the reins over to someone else. Here are the CPA’s top tips to help ensure that improving yo...
The landscape of the social environment in which we conduct our business has changed and we find ourselves in a new world of video interaction in a way that was hitherto unprecedented. With government holding cabinet meetings via cloud meetings and c...
Business's Obligations under Consumer Law As a trader you will have liability arising out of the breach of a term in a contract which you enter into with a consumer even if that term wasn’t specifically stated in it. Confused? Read on… This article o...
Whilst an Ombudsman is a key part of the ADR landscape, there are certain features of an Ombudsman scheme that differentiates it from other ADR models. This is particularly the case in private sector schemes which offer a genuine alternative to court...
In this article, we explore your legal rights when returning goods and trying to claim your money back. When the rush of the festive season is over, the January sales present a further opportunity to hit the shops. For some it is an opportunity to r...
Latest Blogs
See all blogs
In our experience, there are several steps that consumers can take to ensure their home improvement project goes as smoothly as possible. Here are our five top tips: 1. Buy from a trader who is a member of an ADR scheme When it comes to home improvem...
Mattresses matter but what are the legal considerations of buying a mattress and when can you return something you don’t like? Changing your mattress can be an anxious time – particularly if you are sleeping well and find your current mattress comfor...
Three years on from the introduction of GDPR, Data Protection remains at the heart of the political agenda and the forefront of our minds as individuals remain concerned about how organisations are using their data. The implementation of the General ...
A: Estimates and Quotes are not the same documents with different names and can be used in different situations to achieve separate distinct aims. The first thing we would advise is, regardless of which you are using, make sure they are in writing an...
Sometimes with the best will in the world we are prevented from delivering on our promises due to circumstances that are wholly outside of our control. Force majeure clauses are used by businesses to protect them when such unforeseeable circumstances...
With spring upon us, many will be turning to garden upgrades and make-overs as the weather improves and lockdown restrictions begin to ease to allow meeting in private gardens and outdoor spaces. Hard and soft landscaping will add texture, character ...
For over a century, International Women’s Day, held on 8 March each year has marked a day of celebration and advocacy for women’s rights and equality around the world. To celebrate, Deputy Chief Ombudsman at the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, Judith ...
Sometimes with the best will in the world we are prevented from delivering on our promises due to circumstances that are seemingly outside of our control. The question we are often asked at the Ombudsman is: how are such matters dealt with in consum...
With the festive season upon us, and only six weeks to go until the big day ‘Guaranteed in time for Christmas’ is a phrase which consumers usually expect to see on promotional materials. Retailers are likely to be careful about any sweeping statement...
10 ways to improve reputation and encourage constructive feedback As we discussed in our short webinar today, and in the words of Bill Gates, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning”. The challenge, however, is using your co...
The Consumer Protection Alliance (CPA) has launched a DIY campaign to make sure that consumers stay safe whilst either attempting home improvement or handing the reins over to someone else. Here are the CPA’s top tips to help ensure that improving yo...
The landscape of the social environment in which we conduct our business has changed and we find ourselves in a new world of video interaction in a way that was hitherto unprecedented. With government holding cabinet meetings via cloud meetings and c...
Business's Obligations under Consumer Law As a trader you will have liability arising out of the breach of a term in a contract which you enter into with a consumer even if that term wasn’t specifically stated in it. Confused? Read on… This article o...
Whilst an Ombudsman is a key part of the ADR landscape, there are certain features of an Ombudsman scheme that differentiates it from other ADR models. This is particularly the case in private sector schemes which offer a genuine alternative to court...
In this article, we explore your legal rights when returning goods and trying to claim your money back. When the rush of the festive season is over, the January sales present a further opportunity to hit the shops. For some it is an opportunity to r...
