Q&A Your legal questions answered.

Send your questions to askdean@people.co.uk

QMY tumble dryer caught fire this week damaging half of my kitchen. Do I complain to the retailer or the manufacturer of the machine? Jessie Lynton COMPLAIN to the retailer because your contract is with them as the seller of the goods. If they fail to provide a sufficient remedy you will be able to pursue both the retailer and manufacturer for compensation.

MY front door window got cracked when I was having a sofa delivered. Can I claim against the retailer for the damage? Greg Hampton

IF you can prove the delivery people caused the damage or if they admit it, the retailer will have to compensate you for the cost of replacing the window. I KEEP getting letters from my electricity supplier telling

AQA Qme to make arrangements to have a smart meter fitted. Do I have to do this? Fred Graham ENERGY providers are being pressured greatly to install smart meters at all of their customers’ properties. It is said to be better for you and for them. You can ask them what the advantages are. But there is no legal

Aobligation on home owners to have a smart meter so you can simply say no.

I HAD new windows installed in August and the builder still hasn’t dealt with my snagging list, despite constant chasing.

The problem is that I have paid him in full so he has no incentive to come back. What can I do?

THE Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides that it in these circumstances you can engage a third party tradesman to carry out the works and then send the bill to the original trader. If he refuses to pay your next option will be the small claims court. I WANT to make a chargeback claim to my bank in relation to a purchase I made on my debit card. Is there a time limit?

YES. You must lodge your claim within 120 days.

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