§ 12. If you want the service to start before the withdrawal period has ended
If you have entered into a contract for a service outside a shop (for example, a plumber coming to your home), and you want the service to start before the 14 days of the withdrawal period (angrefrist) have ended, the seller must have your express acceptance on a durable medium (varig medium). You must also confirm that you understand that the right of withdrawal (angrerett) ends when the job is finished.
Machine-translated from Norwegian. The Norwegian text is the one that applies. Read the original in Norwegian.Norsk English العربية Polski Українська
The text of the law (unofficial translation)
If the consumer (forbruker) wishes the provision of services to start before the withdrawal period expires, cf. § 21, and the contract involves an obligation for the consumer to pay, the trader (næringsdrivende) shall require the consumer to make an express request for this on a durable medium. The trader shall also ask the consumer to acknowledge that the right of withdrawal will be lost once the contract has been fully performed by the trader.
What does this mean?
§ 12 is about services that start quickly. Normally you have a 14-day right of withdrawal. But if you want the service to start right away, the seller and you must follow a specific procedure.
You must request it expressly. It is not enough for the seller to ask "can we start tomorrow?" and for you to say yes verbally. You must confirm on a durable medium — typically by email, text message, or by signing a paper form.
The seller must also get you to confirm that the right of withdrawal may be lost. Once the job is finished, you no longer have a right of withdrawal. You should understand this in advance. It is a conscious decision you make.
What happens if you change your mind partway through? If the service has started but is not finished, you still have a right of withdrawal. But you must pay for what has already been done (see § 26). If the whole job is finished, the right of withdrawal is gone.
If the seller does not follow the rules — for example, does not get your express acceptance on a durable medium — you do not have to pay for what has been provided (§ 26 second paragraph). This gives the seller a strong incentive to do it correctly.
Examples
Eva has a water leak in her basement. She calls a plumber, who comes to her home the same day. They agree on a repair for NOK 8,000. The repair takes 6 hours. This is a home sale (off-premises sale (salg utenom faste forretningslokaler)), so the main rule is a 14-day right of withdrawal. Eva obviously does not want to wait 14 days with the water leak. The plumber asks her to sign a form confirming (1) that she wants the work to start immediately and (2) that she understands that the right of withdrawal ends when the job is finished. She signs. The plumber repairs the leak. Eva cannot withdraw afterwards because the job has been completed.
Ola gets a home visit from a solar energy company. He orders installation of solar panels. The company calls the next day and says "we'll come tomorrow and install". Ola agrees verbally. After the installation, Ola changes his mind. The seller says "too late, you said yes". But the seller forgot to get Ola's express acceptance on a durable medium under § 12. Under § 26 second paragraph, Ola does not have to pay for the work that has been done. He still has a 14-day right of withdrawal — and can withdraw from the entire contract without financial loss.
Common mistakes
- The seller does the job without getting written acceptance. Then the requirements are not met, and the customer may not have to pay. The seller loses out.
- You sign without reading about the right of withdrawal. If the seller gets you to sign a sentence you did not read, it may still be valid — but always check that you understand what you are confirming.
- You think that "I told the seller" is enough. It is not. Verbal acceptance does not meet the durable medium requirement. Make sure it is in writing.
What should you do?
If you need a service quickly:
- Understand that you may have to give up the right of withdrawal — it is often worth it for urgent services
- Require the seller to explain the right of withdrawal before you sign
- Keep your copy of the form or email you signed
If the seller does not follow the rules and demands payment: refer to § 26 second paragraph. You are entitled to refuse to pay for what has been provided if express acceptance has not been given on a durable medium.
- § 11What the contract must contain in home sales
- § 19Corresponding rule for distance selling (fjernsalg)
- § 21The 14-day withdrawal period
- § 26What you pay if you withdraw partway through
- The roof cleaner rang the doorbell and started right away – do I have to pay?
- I asked them to start right away – do I still have a right of withdrawal?
- Do I have a right of withdrawal when the work is completely finished within 14 days?
- Do I have a right of withdrawal for personal training sessions bought online?