In almost every state in the union, you have the right under state law to cancel your timeshare within a certain amount of time, called the rescission period or the cooling-off period. This is accomplished by writing a timeshare cancellation letter, or timeshare rescission letter, as described in your purchase agreement. But how to write a timeshare cancellation letter is not always as simple as it sounds.
If you don’t manage the cancellation process properly, the consequences can be grave. An improper timeshare cancellation request means you may be stuck with your timeshare, paying annual maintenance fees, special assessments, and other costs forever. (There’s still a glimmer of hope though. If you don’t do it right, Centerstone Group may be able to get you out.)
In this article, we’ll explain how to write a timeshare cancellation letter, what you need to include, how to send it, and where to turn for help navigating the process.
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Timeshare contracts, like purchase and sale agreements for real estate or other major purchases, can be very tricky. While there is usually a cancellation term in the timeshare purchase agreement, it can be buried dozens of pages inside the contract. And because it spells out in black-and-white what you need to do to cancel, you have to follow those instructions exactly to make a successful timeshare exit.
While there is not a one-size-fits-all template for a cancellation letter, there is an answer that will apply in every situation: Follow the exact words of your timeshare agreement.Â
For example, let’s say in your contract that Paragraph 22 is entitled “Rescission of Contract.” That paragraph should contain all of the elements that you need to include in your letter:
You may have a form or draft cancellation letter you downloaded from the Internet. That is fine to use as a way to get started, but it is critical that you still follow every word of the cancellation provision in your contract. If you don’t, you run the risk of an unsuccessful cancellation letter.
While following the requirements of the contract, you should keep in mind that there are a few things every cancellation letter should have. Many of these will likely be mentioned by the contract. Even if they aren’t, it is still a good idea to include them:
Keep in mind that this list is not exclusive. Your contract may require more. If you’re unsure about what your contract requires, contract a professional with experience in timeshare contracts, like the team at Centerstone Group.
As the premier timeshare cancellation company in the industry, we have decades of expertise and can help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind. Plus, we’ll provide free rescission resources and guidance.
With the exception of any documentation that your timeshare purchase agreement requires you to send, you don’t need to include supporting documentation with your cancellation letter. That means that enclosing a copy of the contract or other papers generally isn’t needed.
It might be a smart idea, though, to include a list of the amounts that you have paid the timeshare developer. The reason for this is that when you rescind a contract, you should be refunded all amounts that you have already paid. Making sure that those amounts are in writing helps create a record of the outstanding amounts as well as the fact that you requested a full refund.
You might have documents showing payments that you made, like canceled checks or receipts. Generally, you don’t need to send these with a cancellation letter. If you decide to do so, do not send the originals. Send only copies, and keep the originals for your files or later use — if, for example, you don’t get a timely refund.
The best way to deliver a timeshare cancellation letter is with a method that gives you evidence to prove the delivery was made. For example, certified mail with return receipt requested can tell you both when a letter is sent, when the recipient got it, and the name of the person who signed for it. You could also achieve the same effect with a courier service, like FedEx.
Though these methods won’t likely be required by your timeshare contract, it is a good idea to use them. Timeshare developers can be disorganized and might miss — or even pretend they didn’t receive — your letter. In that case, they may act as though you had never even tried to cancel. That action could then force you into litigating the receipt of the letter, which could be expensive, or simply accepting that you now have to pay for a timeshare.
In short, choosing a method that gives you evidence of delivery is an excellent investment when sending your cancellation letter.
If all of this sounds stressful, it’s because timeshare companies have made it that way. They will use every tool at their disposal to make the process as complicated and difficult as it can be. But you don’t have to fight them alone. Centerstone Group is here to help.
We handle timeshare exit strategies in a variety of cases, from timeshare cancellation letters, to transfers, to our proprietary pressure campaigns, to finding you a timeshare attorney or law firm if you need them. While other timeshare exit companies may offer one or two of these services, Centerstone Group proudly offers a variety of solutions to our clients.
We know that no two cases are the same, so we tailor our strategy to fit each of our clients’ needs. We are also an A+-rated, accredited business with the Better Business Bureau, and our customers have awarded us a 4.78-out-of-5-star rating.
We can help you with whatever it is you need for your timeshare exit, and we will make the process as painless as possible for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
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