When does the 30-day period for rejecting faulty goods start?

The 30-day period begins when you take ownership of the goods or when they are delivered, whichever is later. It does not start when you first notice the fault. If you wait longer than 30 days, you lose the automatic right to a full refund, though you may still seek repair or replacement.

Am I entitled to a full refund if I reject goods within 30 days?

Yes, under section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price without any deduction. The trader must issue this refund within 14 days of receiving the rejected goods. You should clearly state in your letter that you are rejecting the goods, not just complaining.

Do I have to pay for postage to return faulty goods?

No, the trader bears the cost of collecting or returning faulty goods. You should not pay for return postage. Your letter should request that the trader arranges collection at their cost or provides a pre-paid returns label within seven days of receiving your notice.

Does the 30-day right to reject apply to private sales?

This right applies only to goods purchased from a trader as a consumer. It does not apply to private sales between individuals. Additionally, if you accept a repair or replacement offer from the trader, you may waive your short-term right to a full refund.

What evidence should I keep before returning faulty goods?

You should take photographs or video of the fault before returning the goods to keep evidence. You must also use clear language stating you are 'rejecting' the goods. Vague language may be interpreted as a complaint rather than a formal rejection, which could affect your rights.

← All Templates

Consumer

Consumer Law

Updated 2026-05-16

30-Day Right to Reject Faulty Goods (Consumer Rights Act 2015)

Formal letter exercising the short-term right to reject defective goods and demanding a full refund under section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

This template was not drafted by a solicitor.

It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.

When to use this template

Use this letter within 30 days of purchasing goods (or within 30 days of delivery if later) when the goods do not conform to contract — that is, they are not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose, or not as described. The 30-day short-term right to reject entitles you to a full refund without deduction. After 30 days, the remedy shifts to repair or replacement first.

When NOT to use this template

Do not use this template after the 30-day short-term period has expired — you will lose the automatic refund right, though repair or replacement rights continue for up to six years under s.19 CRA 2015. This template applies only to goods purchased from a trader as a consumer; it does not apply to private sales between individuals.

Legal Basis

Consumer Rights Act 2015, s.9 (satisfactory quality), s.10 (fitness for purpose), s.11 (as described), and s.20 (right to reject — short-term right). The short-term right to reject applies within 30 days of ownership or delivery (whichever is later). The trader must issue a full refund within 14 days of receiving the rejected goods.

Before you send

Waiting too long — the 30-day clock runs from the date you took ownership or the goods were delivered, not from when you noticed the fault
Accepting a repair or replacement offer from the trader, which may waive the short-term right to a full refund
Not keeping evidence of the fault — take photographs or video before returning the goods

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Waiting too long — the 30-day clock runs from the date you took ownership or the goods were delivered, not from when you noticed the fault
✗Accepting a repair or replacement offer from the trader, which may waive the short-term right to a full refund
✗Not keeping evidence of the fault — take photographs or video before returning the goods
✗Failing to state clearly that you are 'rejecting' the goods — vague language may be interpreted as a complaint rather than rejection
✗Paying return postage costs — the trader bears the cost of collection or return for faulty goods

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Your full name*

Your address*

Your email address*

Date of letter*

Trader / retailer name*

Trader's address*

Description of the goods*

Date of purchase*

Purchase price (£)*

Description of the defect or non-conformity*

Optional fields

Order or invoice reference number

Letter preview

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

[DATE OF LETTER]

[TRADER / RETAILER NAME]
[TRADER'S ADDRESS]

Order/Invoice Reference: [ORDER OR INVOICE REFERENCE NUMBER]

---

Dear Sir or Madam,

**NOTICE OF REJECTION — CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT 2015, SECTION 20**

I am writing to exercise my statutory short-term right to reject the goods described below, pursuant to section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

**The Goods**

Description: [DESCRIPTION OF THE GOODS]
Date of purchase: [DATE OF PURCHASE]
Purchase price: £[PURCHASE PRICE (£)]
Order or invoice reference: [ORDER OR INVOICE REFERENCE NUMBER]

**The Defect**

The goods do not conform to contract for the following reason(s):

[DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT OR NON-CONFORMITY]

This constitutes a breach of the statutory right to receive goods of satisfactory quality under section 9 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 [and/or fitness for purpose under section 10 / not as described under section 11 — delete as appropriate].

**Notice of Rejection**

I am formally rejecting these goods and treating the contract as at an end. I am not requesting a repair or replacement. Under section 20(7) of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, I am entitled to a full refund of the purchase price without any deduction.

**My Requirements**

I require you to:

1. Arrange collection of the rejected goods at your cost, or provide a pre-paid returns label within 7 days of this letter.
2. Issue a full refund of £[PURCHASE PRICE (£)] to the original payment method within 14 days of receiving the returned goods.

Please confirm your arrangement for collection / returns by return. If I do not hear from you within 14 days I will consider my options, which may include a county court claim and/or a complaint to the relevant ADR scheme or Trading Standards.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Related Guides

Consumer Rights Guide

Related Rights

Consumer

Official Resources

Citizens Advice — Returning faulty goods →Which? — Consumer Rights Act explained →

Frequently asked questions

When does the 30-day period for rejecting faulty goods start?: The 30-day period begins when you take ownership of the goods or when they are delivered, whichever is later. It does not start when you first notice the fault. If you wait longer than 30 days, you lose the automatic right to a full refund, though you may still seek repair or replacement.
Am I entitled to a full refund if I reject goods within 30 days?: Yes, under section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price without any deduction. The trader must issue this refund within 14 days of receiving the rejected goods. You should clearly state in your letter that you are rejecting the goods, not just complaining.
Do I have to pay for postage to return faulty goods?: No, the trader bears the cost of collecting or returning faulty goods. You should not pay for return postage. Your letter should request that the trader arranges collection at their cost or provides a pre-paid returns label within seven days of receiving your notice.
Does the 30-day right to reject apply to private sales?: This right applies only to goods purchased from a trader as a consumer. It does not apply to private sales between individuals. Additionally, if you accept a repair or replacement offer from the trader, you may waive your short-term right to a full refund.
What evidence should I keep before returning faulty goods?: You should take photographs or video of the fault before returning the goods to keep evidence. You must also use clear language stating you are 'rejecting' the goods. Vague language may be interpreted as a complaint rather than a formal rejection, which could affect your rights.