CITY OF YORK Trading Standards is supporting the Trading Standards Institute's (TSI) call for a ban on doorstep cold-calling for property repairs, maintenance and improvements.

This follows publication of the results of a national survey which revealed that 95 per cent of those surveyed (9,000 randomly-selected households) said they did not want calls from doorstep sellers.

In fact only 0.1 per cent actually welcomed doorstep callers and 9.7 per cent of respondents had had a bad experience with property repairs.

If these figures were representative throughout the UK it would mean that 2.4 million people would have had problems with property repairs/improvements. However, although many people have experienced problems, it seems that only one in six people ever reported the rogue trader.

The results of the TSI survey come hard on the heels of recent warnings by City of York Trading Standards about the dubious practices of asphalting gangs operating in the York area - some of whom have called on older people offering cheap asphalting then demanded sums of up to £18,000 on completion of the work.

In the light of the continuing problems reported, in particular by older people, harsher penalties are being called for as a deterrent.

Complaints about doorstep-selling have escalated as a rising aged population, the continued housing boom and gaps in the market are exploited by unscrupulous operators, passing themselves off as reputable tradesmen, usually targeting the most vulnerable consumers.

Cold-callers, offering only mobile phone numbers and often using false names and addresses, tout for roofing, gardening, cladding, insulation, security, double-glazing, asphalting and general property repair jobs, and often leave the unfortunate property owner with a bodged job, an extortionate bill and little or no chance of redress.

It seems that the public, honest businesses and the enforcement authorities are unanimous that the time has come to impose a ban on the professional, experienced conman who leaves misery in his wake.

The Office of Fair Trading is currently investigating doorstep-selling under the new Enterprise Act 2002 and is expected to report at the end of the year on areas where new controls may be required.

In the meantime, York Trading Standards advice is "Say no to doorstep sellers". Older residents can use the Home Services Directory for reliable, vetted tradespeople in York. The directory is operated in partnership by Age Concern (York), Trading Standards and the Safer York Partnership.

City of York Trading Standards can also offer advice and help with the law on doorstep selling, other consumer matters and copies of the Home Services Directory

Phone Trading Standards on 01904 551562 or call at 9 St Leonard's Place. The fax number is 01904 551590 and the e-mail address is trading.standards@york.gov.uk. Alternatively visit the website at www.york.gov.uk/business/tradingstandards.

Updated: 09:48 Thursday, May 01, 2003