ByHow to Cancel a Timeshare Contract in Florida Without Losing Your Mind
Do you regret signing a Florida timeshare contract that turned out to be a mistake? You're not alone. The timeshare industry in Florida is known for high-pressure sales tactics that leave consumers stuck with a vacation home they no longer want.
While the salesperson likely painted a wonderful picture, the reality for many timeshares is high maintenance costs, exorbitant fees, and very little access to the property.
If you 're looking for , there 's hope. Getting out of a timeshare is notoriously tricky, but it's not impossible. Keep reading to learn practical tips for dealing with timeshare companies in Florida-- and how DoNotPay can help you level the playing field.
How Much Time Do You Have to Get Out of a Florida Timeshare?
Florida law provides some significant protections for timeshare consumers, including a short grace period, called a rescission period, when you're allowed to cancel with no penalties. You only have ten days to take advantage of this option, so it 's crucial to quickly act if there's still time.
Important things to know about this exit strategy:
- The clock starts ticking on either the execution date on the contract or the day you received the final paperwork, whichever day is later
- The cancellation request has to be written in a letter, which means a phone call or email won't cut it
- The letter should be sent via certified mail, with a signature requirement and a Proof of Delivery receipt
If your cancellation request arrived by 11:59 pm on the 10th day of your grace period, then you're in an excellent position. Florida law is on your side, and the developer has to issue you a full refund within 20 days. You should be able to walk away from the contract more or less unscathed.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Out of a Florida Timeshare Contract?
Assuming that you didn 't cancel within the 10-day grace period, the costs of getting out of a Florida timeshare contract will vary based on multiple factors.
| The terms of your contract | The most important will be the terms of your contract's cancellation penalty, which may range from 10 to 30 percent of the price you paid for the property, but can be even higher. |
| The cancellation process with the developer | The process might also be different depending on the specific timeshare developer, with some of the major ones being Wyndham, Bluegreen, Westgate, Diamond Resorts, and Holiday Inn Club. |
| Hiring a lawyer | Consumers that hire an attorney to help them navigate the process can easily add on thousands of dollars in fees. |
How to Cancel a Timeshare Contract in Florida by Yourself
If you want to face off with the timeshare developer on your own instead of getting a lawyer, the first step is to come up with a plan. Aside from canceling during your grace period, negotiating with the developer is the primary strategy for exiting a timeshare.
Florida has provisions that help you back out of a contract if you were misinformed, so this is your best approach. Go through and read your contract and any other materials you were given as carefully as possible. Try to document anything inaccurate or misleading, especially hidden fees. The more evidence you can gather, the easier it will be to negotiate a lower cancellation penalty.
Draft a cancellation letter to your developer with the following:
1. All relevant identifying information, like your name and membership ID
2. The name of the resort, your purchase date, contract number, and other property information
3. An explicit request to cancel the timeshare
4. Reasons for canceling, whether that's misleading terms or any extenuating circumstances (like financial hardship)
Send the request via certified mail with a signature requirement and Proof of Delivery receipt. Sending this letter is the beginning of the process rather than the end. However, it opens up the lines of communication with your developer and begins the negotiation.
A likely scenario is that you will be asked to pay an excessive cancellation penalty to leave the contract. The most predatory timeshare companies might refuse to let you leave altogether and insist that you're legally required to pay the maintenance fees forever, but this is not true. You have to stay firm, continue the negotiation process, and try to reach the best possible outcome.
The Next Steps if You Can't Cancel a Florida Timeshare Contract by Yourself
Many consumers stuck with an unwanted timeshare are not up to the grueling process of trying to cancel the contract by themselves. This is why there's a whole industry of timeshare exit companies in Florida offering help. These kinds of services can help you negotiate a lower cancellation penalty, but a lot of that savings will get swallowed up in paying fees.
If you're going to go the timeshare exit route, find a reputable firm with plenty of good reviews. Many of these companies are scammers that charge upfront fees, never deliver the help they promise, and leave consumers worse off than ever.
How to Cancel a Timeshare Contract in Florida With DoNotPay
While is not for the faint of heart, it can be done if you have the right guidance. Whether you're still in the grace period or facing major penalties, DoNotPay can help.
The world's first AI Consumer Champion empowers consumers to navigate this complex situation by using a simple tool that is fast, user-friendly, and legally sound. Instead of scouring the internet for tips on how to write a cancellation letter or hiring an expensive timeshare exit company, count on the virtual lawyer on your smartphone or laptop.
If you want to cancel your timeshare agreement but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered. Create your cancellation letter in 3 easy steps:
- Search "Cancel Timeshare Agreement" on DoNotPay.
- Tell us about the timeshare company, the contract name and number, the purchase date, and other details of your agreement.
- DoNotPay will generate a cancellation request letter on your behalf, leveraging all of the negotiation tactics mentioned above.
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
DoNotPay uses artificial intelligence to make the process of leaving a timeshare contract as straightforward as possible, but that's not all. The world 's first AI Consumer Champion makes life easier by helping you navigate a vast range of situations, such as:
- Processing a return from Best Buy
- Filing a Freedom of Information request
- Canceling a subscription service
- Recovering items you lost at an airport
- Making a claim on your product warranty
- Finding clinical trials to participate in
Download the app today to discover everything DoNotPay can do for you.