Help & Advice

The Resort Development Organisation AISBL (RDO) can accept no responsibility for the information it has provided, although it has used its best endeavors to supply factually accurate advice and guidance. This information is not a substitute for taking professional legal advice to cover your particular situation.

To contact us:-

RDO aisbl (Head Office)
Oak House, Cours St. Michel 100/3, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Fax: +32 2533 3061, info@rdo.org

Please note that the RDO Consumer Services only deal with enquiries/complaints about RDO members in writing (by regular mail, email or fax), and these should be directed to the RDO Head Office.

TATOC (The Timeshare Association of Timeshare Owners Committees), who represent the interests of timeshare owners and their elected committees, provide information and assistance to timeshare owners/consumers on all matters relating to timeshare. If you require any general information, or assistance on matters relating to non-RDO members, we would ask that you contact TATOC directly. You can contact TATOC on:

Tel: +44 (0) 845 230 2430
E-mail: info@timeshareassociation.org
Website: www.timeshareassociation.org 



Selling Timeshare

There will of course be situations where owners may need to dispose of their timeshare/points. However, as Timeshare is regarded as a long-term investment in holidays, as opposed to an investment in real estate, it would be unrealistic to rely on realising the original purchase price. Bear in mind that some resorts/unit sizes are far more popular than others and ; as sales depend on current supply and demand it is not always possible to guarantee a date for resale. Resale companies offer various services. Some may not handle Points and some may charge up-front resale registration fees. Others may not charge an up-front fee but make a charge for optional advertising eg on the internet. RDO Resale Members must follow the Code of Ethics. Details of the services / costs / commissions / valuations should be obtained by contacting the relevant agencies direct. 



If You Feel You Have Been Defrauded

Contact/Attend your local police station to report the crime and to make a written statement on the official forms. This must also be typed to ensure all necessary parties can read the statement. Any documentary evidence should also be properly exhibited and attached to the statement. The statement should be translated into the language that has the jurisdiction of the crime. The statement should then be forwarded by the police to Interpol.



Resorting to Legal Action

Solicitors 

If you feel that your genuine grievances are being rejected both by the timeshare company and by your credit card issuing bank or finance company regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you could consider obtaining a fee quotation from a solicitor for handling the claim. Or you could refer the claim against your card issuing bank to the Banking Ombudsman (pamphlet available from 020-7404 9944).



Additional Rights of Redress if You Paid by Credit Card

If you paid by means of a Visa credit card, you should be aware that Visa introduced a rule in November 1996 (which is not linked to any legislation) and Mastercard more recently (which is linked to the EU directive), which set out that a customer buying timeshare with a credit card is entitled to a 10-day cooling off period, irrespective of whether there is local cooling off legislation in place or not.<!--breaK--> The 10-day Visa/MasterCard cancellation and cooling-off rule is particularly relevant in areas of Europe that are not subject to the European Timeshare Directive as they are out



Unhappy With Your Purchase and Now Outside the Cooling-Off Period?

If you have a complaint about a non-RDO member's sales presentation, it is best to (jointly) sign a letter of complaint and to send it recorded delivery to the timeshare resort in question rather than writing to its trustees or head office elsewhere. Set out concisely what aspect of the sales talk you now find was inaccurate, and who made the misleading statements about which you are complaining. Ask the sales director to make all necessary investigations.



If You Decide to Cancel an Agreement

If you wish to cancel during the timeshare cancellation period, it is best to communicate this in writing by recorded delivery to the seller's office. Remember that if two people signed jointly, both should also sign the cancellation letter or formal Notice. You should give the contract number and the date on which you signed the agreement.



RDO Consumer Services Department

RDO is in the first instance a trade association representing the timeshare industry in Europe. RDO therefore represents member companies and as such look after their interests. However, RDO's consumer policy allows for consumers to address complaints about members with RDO. RDO provides this consumer service free-of-charge and aims to resolve valid complaints against member companies.

RDO's members do believe that it is important that RDO undertakes this service for the consumer and count on RDO being fair and equitable.



What Should I Expect When Buying from an RDO Member?

The Contract
The contracts of RDO Members shall always be clear and comply with national Law and the EU Timeshare Directive and provide you with full protection. The printed agreement or contract will include all your rights and obligations. RDO Members must ensure that buyers receive in writing and in their own language all information which a prudent purchaser would reasonably require to make up his mind. 



Buying Timeshare: General Advice

Why timeshare could be right for you!

There are many reasons why millions of families have chosen timeshare over traditional package holidays or owning a holiday home. By investing in future holidays, timeshare owners have peace of mind and security of ownership, paying only for the vacation time they actually use.