Rogue roofers target elderly homeowners (From York Press)

Rogue roofers target elderly homeowners

8:14am Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

COMPLAINTS have been made to trading standards teams in York about a gang carrying out roofing repairs.

The residents who have raised the problem, most of whom are in their 80s, claim they have been pressurised into agreeing to unnecessary work after being led to believe their roofs were in poor condition. Some were told birds had been coming in from the roof.

In other cases, the householder has been persuaded to let the traders clean their gutters and has then been told a problem has been found.

There have also been complaints to City of York Council trading standards officers that some people have been talked into allowing a loft inspection to be carried out and then told their insulation is soaked due to leaks.

Coun Dafydd Williams, the authority’s cabinet member for crime and stronger communities, said: “We are also aware some traders are not leaving the paperwork which is required by law and which gives consumers notice they have a seven-day cooling-off period.”

“It is important consumers are made aware of this right, as it gives people time to think about their decision, get other quotes, check value for money and establish if the work is necessary in the first place.”

Anybody who has been approached by such traders should phone Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 040506.