Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in District of Columbia
When you can cancel a purchase or contract in District of Columbia, the deadline, and what stores must tell you about refunds.
Short answer: A buyer may cancel a home solicitation sale (a cash or credit sale personally solicited at or near the buyer's home and agreed to there) until midnight of the third business day after signing. D.C. Code § 28-3811
| Right to cancel (cooling-off) | A buyer may cancel a home solicitation sale (a cash or credit sale personally solicited at or near the buyer's home and agreed to there) until midnight of the third business day after signing. The seller must give a written agreement with a "BUYER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL" statement. Cancellation is by written notice in any form to the seller's address. A buyer who asks for immediate emergency service and signs a separate "Waiver of Right to Cancel" may lose the right once the seller has substantially begun performance. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 28-3811 |
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Where to get help in District of Columbia
- Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Office of Consumer Protection (Consumer and Tenant Response)
- File a complaint or claim
More District of Columbia consumer protection
- The Lemon Law in District of Columbia
- Contractors and Repair Shops in District of Columbia
- Filing a Consumer Complaint in District of Columbia
- All District of Columbia consumer protection rules
FAQ
Can you cancel a contract after signing it in District of Columbia?
A buyer may cancel a home solicitation sale (a cash or credit sale personally solicited at or near the buyer's home and agreed to there) until midnight of the third business day after signing. The seller must give a written agreement with a "BUYER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL" statement. Cancellation is by written notice in any form to the seller's address. A buyer who asks for immediate emergency service and signs a separate "Waiver of Right to Cancel" may lose the right once the seller has substantially begun performance.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.