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If you're thinking about buying a timeshare or have already purchased one, you can protect yourself by learning about your state's timeshare laws. Many states have laws that require specific timeshare disclosures, give timeshare purchasers the right to cancel the contract, and provide special protections for buyers when purchasing a timeshare. Below, you can learn some key information about timeshare laws in the 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
The timeshare chart below answers the following questions:
In some states, if you buy a timeshare and then change your mind, you get a certain amount of time to cancel the purchase. You'll have to follow specific procedures and cancel the contract by the deadline.
If you have the right to cancel the timeshare purchase, state law will give you a certain number of days to do so. Typically, the cancellation time frame begins on the date you sign the contract or the date you receive certain disclosures (whichever is later).
If state law doesn't provide you with the right to cancel, the timeshare contract itself might give you a specific number of days to cancel the transaction.
Most states require timeshare sellers to give a prospective purchaser certain disclosures, often in a "public offering statement" or a "timeshare disclosure statement." State law might also require the timeshare seller to:
If you're considering buying a timeshare (or you want to resell one you already purchased), you need to watch out for scams. Timeshare sellers often offer promotional items or gifts, such as a free hotel stay or some other prize, like a television, to get potential buyers to attend a sales presentation. Unfortunately, people sometimes attend a timeshare sales presentation just to get a gift and end up buying a timeshare they don't really want.
To avoid buying a timeshare you don't want, go into the presentation fully informed about how timeshares work so that you can make a rational decision about whether or not to purchase one. You can learn how to handle a timeshare sales presentation and how to avoid timeshare scams on the Federal Trade Commission website.
If you want to file a complaint about a timeshare seller, go to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website.
If you own a timeshare and fail to make the mortgage payments or don't pay maintenance fees, special assessments, utilities, or taxes, the timeshare association can probably foreclose. A timeshare foreclosure could cause your credit scores to fall, possibly affecting your ability to get credit in the future. However, there are ways to avoid a timeshare foreclosure.
Look Out for Legal ChangesIn this article, you'll find details on timeshare laws in the United States, with citations to statutes so you can learn more. Statutes change, so checking them is always a good idea. How courts and agencies interpret and apply the law can also change. And some rules can even vary within a state. These are just some of the reasons to consider consulting an attorney.
If you want more information about timeshare laws in your state or need assistance canceling a timeshare, consider talking to a real estate attorney, timeshare attorney, or consumer protection attorney.
| State | Right to Cancel a Timeshare Contract? | Deadline to Cancel a Timeshare Contract | Special Protections for Timeshare Buyers |
| Alabama | Yes | 5 days (not including Sunday if that is the last day) after signing the contract. (Ala. Code § 34-27-53.) | Alabama law protects timeshare buyers by requiring most timeshare sellers to have a license, prohibiting false statements and deceptive actions in timeshare sales, and providing protections when the seller uses prizes or gifts to sell timeshares. (Ala. Code § 34-27-51, § 34-27-60, § 34-27-56.) |
| Alaska | Sometimes | 15 days after receiving the public offering statement (unless the statement is received more than 15 days before signing the contract). (Alaska Stat. § 34.08.580(a).) | |
| Arizona | Yes | Midnight of the tenth calendar day following the day on which you executed the agreement. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-2197.03.) | |
| Arkansas | Yes | 5 days after signing the contract or up until receipt of the public offering statement. (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-14-409(a)(2),(3).) | Arkansas law protects timeshare buyers by requiring timeshare to use an escrow account, prohibiting false and misleading statements, and regulating the use of prizes and gifts in timeshare sales. (Ark. Code § 18-14-407, § 18-14-502, § 18-14-503, § 18-14-504.) |
| California | Yes | 7 calendar days after receiving the public report or signing the contract. (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 11238.) | Before marketing or selling timeshare interests in a timeshare plan in California, a developer must obtain a public report that the California Bureau of Real Estate issues, which discloses many important aspects of the timeshare property. The public report must be given to each prospective purchaser. (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 11238, 11239.) |
| Colorado | Yes | 5 calendar days after the sale. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 6-1-703.) | Colorado law makes it illegal for a timeshare seller to misrepresent or make false statements regarding the investment, resale, or rental value of any timeshare. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 6-1-703). |
| Connecticut | Yes | 5 calendar days after signing and receiving a copy of the contract or receiving the timeshare disclosure statement. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-103pp(a).) | Connecticut law provides protections to shield consumers from deceptive practices in timeshare transactions. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-103tt, § 42-103ll.) |
| Delaware | Yes | 5 business days after signing the contract.(Del. Code Tit. 6, § 2824(a), § 2823(b)). | Delaware law requires a timeshare seller to provide a written disclosure if the seller offers a prize for attending a timeshare presentation, as well as a disclosure statement about the timeshare before you sign the contract if you decide to buy one. (Del. Code Tit. 6, § 2827, § 2823). |
| District of Columbia | Yes | 15 days after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (D.C. Code § 42-1904.02(b)). | |
| Florida | Yes | 10 calendar days after signing the contract or receiving all required documents. (Fla. Stat. § 721.10(1)). | Florida law provides protections to shield consumers from resale scams. (Fla. Stat. § 721.205). |
| Georgia | Yes | 7 days (not including Sundays and holidays) after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (Ga. Code § 44-3-172(a)(1)(P), § 44-3-174(a)). | Georgia law prohibits false or misleading statements and advertisements when it comes to timeshare sales. (Ga. Code Ann. § 44-3-185). |
| Hawaii | Yes | 7 calendar days after signing the contract or receiving the timeshare disclosure statement. (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 514E-8.) | Hawaii law requires timeshare sellers to have a license, limits how sellers can use free gifts when trying to sell timeshares, requires sellers to use an escrow account in timeshare sales, and prohibits deceptive sales practices. (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 514E-11,§ 514E-11.1, § 514E-2.5, § 514E-16, § 514E-17.) |
| Idaho | Yes | 5 calendar days after signing the contract. (Idaho Code § 55-1804A.) | Idaho law provides protections to shield consumers from deceptive sales practices and requires timeshare brokers and salespeople to have a license. (Idaho Code § 55-1812, § 55-1817). |
| Illinois | Yes | (Note: This law was repealed in 2017.) 5 calendar days after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 101/10-10.) | (Note: This law was repealed in 2017.) Illinois law provides protections to shield consumers from deceptive sales practices and resale scams. (765 ILCS 101/10-20, 765 ILCS 101/10-25.) |
| Indiana | Yes | 72 hours (not including Sundays or legal holidays) after signing the contract. (Ind. Code § 32-32-3-7.) | If a timeshare unit is not available at the time that you are entitled to use it, the developer is responsible for providing you with a comparable unit for the period or monetary compensation for the loss of use of the timeshare unit (Ind. Code § 32-32-3-9.) |
| Iowa | Yes | 5 business days after receiving the required disclosures. (Iowa Code § 577A.14(1).) | Under Iowa law, a developer who makes a false or misleading statement of fact in the disclosures (or omits a fact) that reasonably could influence your decision to purchase the timeshare can be held liable for damages and you may choose to void the contract. (Iowa Code § 577A.14(5).) |
| Kansas | Yes, if the transaction is a door-to-door sale | 3 business days after signing the contract. (Kan. Stat. § 50-640.) | In Kansas, real estate brokers and salespersons may not make misleading or inaccurate statements in advertisements or use confusing trademarks in order to induce you to buy a timeshare. (Kan. Stat. § 58-3086.) |
| Kentucky | Yes | Depending on the situation, generally 3 or 5 business days after signing the contract. (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 367.397, § 367.4771.) | |
| Louisiana | Yes | 7 days after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (La. Rev. Stat. § 9:1131.10.1.) | Louisiana law prohibits timeshare salespersons from making misleading or false statements, advertisements, radio broadcasts, or telecasts when selling timeshares. Among other things, any statements or claims predicting specific or immediate increases in the value of a timeshare are prohibited. Louisiana law bans getting people to attend sales presentations by offering free gifts or prizes, such as free lodging or a vacation certificate, and then failing to provide the gifts or prizes after the presentation. (La. Rev. Stat. § 9:1131.12.) |
| Maine | Yes | 10 calendar days after the date of the contract (or conveyance) or receiving the disclosure statement. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 33 § 592(3).) | |
| Maryland | Yes | 10 calendar days after the contract date, receiving the public offering statement, or the date the unit is ready for occupancy. (Md. Code Real Prop. § 11A-114(a).) | Maryland law provides protections to shield timeshare purchasers from deceptive sales practices, requires those selling timeshares to be licensed, and an escrow account is required for timeshare purchases. (Md. Code Real Prop. § 11A-119, § 11A-116, § 11A-124.) |
| Massachusetts | Sometimes | 3 business days after receiving the public offering statement (unless the statement is received more than 3 days before signing the contract). (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183B, § 38.) | Massachusetts law permits a court to refuse to enforce the timeshare contract if it finds the agreement to be unconscionable. Also, a developer that offers an exchange program among timeshare owners must give certain disclosures to program participants. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183B, § 5, § 53.) |
| Michigan | Yes | Before the unit is conveyed and 9 business days after receiving all required documents. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 559.184(2).) | |
| Minnesota | Yes | 5 days after receiving a copy of the contract and the public offering statement (if a project has more than 100 potential sales). (Minn. Stat. § 83.28.) | Minnesota law requires a timeshare seller to get a license, prohibits deceptive sales practices when offering timeshares for sale, and prohibits timeshare resellers from accepting advance payment in connection with the resale of a timeshare interest. (Minn. Stat. § 83.25, Minn. Admin. Rule 2810.1200, § 83.44(d).) |
| Mississippi | Yes | 7 calendar days after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (Mississippi Real Estate Commission, Rule 8.7.) | Mississippi requires certain disclosures about timeshare exchange programs, that timeshare sellers use an escrow account in timeshare transactions, regulates timeshare ads, and requires specific disclosures if a seller offers a gift, prize, or vacation to try to get you to buy a timeshare. (Mississippi Real Estate Commission, Rule 8.8, 8.9, 8.11, 8.1.) |
| Missouri | Yes | 5 days after purchase. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.620.) | Missouri has requirements and content restrictions on the use of promotional devices and programs. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.610, § 407.020.) |
| Montana | Yes | (Note: This law was repealed in 2023.) 7 days after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (Mont. Code § 37-53-304.) | (Note: This law was repealed in 2023.) Montana law protects timeshare buyers by requiring timeshare sellers to have a license and prohibiting false and misleading statements. (Mont. Code § 37-53-301, § 37-53-307.) |
| Nebraska | Yes | 3 business days after receiving the public offering statement. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1716(1).) | The timeshare developer must put any money you pay in connection with the purchase into an escrow account. Also, timeshare exchange program disclosures are requried. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1715(1), § 76-1714.) |
| Nevada | Yes | 5 calendar days after signing the contract. (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 119A.410(1).) | Nevada law prohibits deceptive practices and sets certain requirements for timeshare resellers. (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 119A.710, § 119A.4771.) |
| New Hampshire | Yes | 5 days after the date of the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 356-A:4(II), § 356-B:50(II).) | New Hampshire law protects timeshare buyers by requiring timeshare sellers to use an escrow account in timeshare transactions.(N.H. Rev. Stat. § 356-A:9-a, § 356-B:57.) |
| New Jersey | Yes | 7 days after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (N.J. Stat. § 45:15-16.67.) | The timeshare developer must put any money you pay in connection with a timeshare purchase in New Jersey into an escrow account. New Jersey law also provides protections to shield timeshare purchasers from deceptive sales practices and disclosures about prizes and promotions. (N.J. Stat. § 45:15-16.59, § 45:15-16.70.) |
| New Mexico | Yes | 7 days after signing the contract. (N.M. Stat. § 47-11-5(A).) | In New Mexico, timeshare salespersons must have a real estate broker or salesperson license issued by the state real estate commission (N.M. Stat. § 47-11-2.1(A).) |
| New York | Yes | 7 business days after signing the contract. (13 CRR-NY § 24.3.) | Timeshare advertisements must contain certain statements. (13 CRR-NY § 24.6.) |
| North Carolina | Yes | 5 calendar days after signing the contract or receipt of the public offering statement. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93A-45.) | North Carolina requires an escrow account in timeshare transactions and has timeshare resale protection laws. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93A-45, § 93A-67.) |
| North Dakota | No (North Dakota doesn't have a timeshare cancellation law, but the contract might provide a cancellation right) | See contract | North Dakota law prohibits any seller, including timeshare sellers, from making any untrue statements or omitting important facts when selling subdivided lands, which includes timeshares and timeshare salespersons must be licensed with the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (N.D. Cent. Code § 43-23.1-12, § 43-23.1-17.) |
| Ohio | Yes, if the transaction is a home solicitation sale | 3 business days after signing the contract. (Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.22.) | Timeshare salespersons may not make any false oral or written statements when selling timeshares. In addition, if the timeshare is being sold through a telephone solicitation, the seller may not make a false or misleading statement to induce the purchaser to buy the timeshare. (Ohio Rev. Code § 4735.30, § 4735.61, § 4719.08(G).) |
| Oklahoma | Yes | 5 days after receiving a copy of the signed contract and the public offering statement. (Okla. Stat. tit. 71, § 643.) | In Oklahoma, it is unlawful for a telemarketer to sell timeshares by misrepresenting to any person that the person has won a contest, sweepstakes, or drawing. It is also illegal for a telemarketer to participate in any deceptive trade practices when selling timeshares (Okla. Stat. tit. 15 § 775A.4.) |
| Oregon | Yes | 5 calendar days after signing the first written offer or contract to purchase (or, if no cancellation address is provided, until 5 days after the developer provides an address for cancellation purposes). (Or. Rev. Stat. § 94.836(1).) | Oregon law provides protections to shield consumers from deceptive practices in timeshare transactions, requires an escrow account in timeshare transactions, and prohibits false or misleading statements, pictures, or sketches in advertisements, radio broadcasts, or telecasts. (Or. Rev. Stat. § 94.940, § 94.873(3), § 94.945.) |
| Pennsylvania | Sometimes | 7 days after receiving the public offering statement (unless the statement is provided more than 7 days before signing the contract). (68 Pa. Stat. § 4408(c).) | |
| Rhode Island | Yes | 5 business days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) after signing the contract or receiving all required documents. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-41-4.06.) | Rhode Island law states that if a court finds that the timeshare contract or a clause within the contract was unconscionable at the time the contract was made, the court may refuse to enforce the contract. enforce the remainder of the contract without the unconscionable clause, or limit the application of any such unconscionable clause in order to avoid an unconscionable result (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-41-1.05.) |
| South Carolina | Yes | 5 days after signing the contract or receiving the disclosure agreement. (S.C. Code § 27-32-40.) | South Carolina law makes it illegal for a timeshare seller to use fraud, misrepresentation, or to fail to disclose material facts to induce a timeshare sale, and prohibits a developer or salesperson from using false or misleading advertisements to sell timeshares. (S.C. Code § 27-32-110, § 27-32-190.) |
| South Dakota | Yes | 7 calendar days after signing the contract or receiving the disclosure statement. (S.D. Admin. Rules 20:69:12:21.) | The timeshare developer must put any money you pay in connection with a timeshare purchase in South Dakota into an escrow account. Also, South Dakota provides protections to shield timeshare purchasers from deceptive sales practices, and timeshare sales agents must be licensed.(S.D. Admin. Rules 20:69:12:28, 20:69:12:36, 20:69:13:02.) |
| Tennessee | Yes | Until receipt of the public offering statement; within 10 days after signing the contract (if purchaser made an on-site inspection of the timeshare); or within 15 days after signing the contract (if no on-site inspection was conducted). (Tenn. Code § 66-32-114(a).) | Tennessee law protects timeshare buyers by requiring timeshare sellers to use an escrow account in timeshare transactions, regulating timeshare ads, and prohibiting certain actions if a seller offers a gift or prize to get you to buy a timeshare. (Tenn. Code § 66-32-113, § 66-32-131, § 66-32-132, § 66-32-133.) |
| Texas | Yes | 6 days after signing the contract (and receiving a copy) or receiving the timeshare disclosure statement. (Tex. Prop. Code § 221.041.) | Texas law protects timeshare buyers by prohibiting certain deceptive acts in practices in timeshare sales. (Tex. Prop. Code § 221.071.) |
| Utah | Yes | 5 business days after signing the contract. (Utah Code § 57-19-12.) | Utah law declares it a Class A misdemeanor to make statements or provide a timeshare contract that is untrue, incomplete, or misleading. (Utah Code Ann. § 57-19-10.) |
| Vermont | Yes, if the transaction is a home solicitation sale | 3 business days after signing the contract. (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9 § 2454.) | Vermont law makes it illegal for a person to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the course of business (such as timeshare sales). (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9 § 2453(a).) |
| Virginia | Yes | 7 calendar days after signing the contract (not including Sunday or a legal holiday, if that is the last day). (Va. Code § 55.1-2221.) | Virginia law requires disclosures about timeshare exchange programs and about gifts and prizes used to get potential buyers to attend a timeshare sales presentation. (Va. Code § 55.1–2217, § 55.1–2218.) |
| Washington | Yes | 7 days after signing the contract or receiving the disclosure statement. (Wash. Rev. Code § 64.36.150.) | Washington law prohibits deceptive practices and false statements in timeshare sales. Also, Washington law requires such sellers to actually give you the gift or prize if you attend a presentation. (Wash. Rev. Code § 64.36.210, § 64.36.090, § 64.36.320.) |
| West Virginia | Yes | 10 days after signing the contract or receiving the public offering statement. (W. Va. Code § 36-9-5(f).). | West Virginia law regulates timeshare advertising, requires certain disclosures when a gift or prize is used to sell timeshares, and requires timeshare transactions to be escrowed. (W. Va. Code § 36-9-10, § 36-9-10(c), § 36-9-7.) |
| Wisconsin | Yes | 5 business days after signing the contract or receiving the timeshare disclosure statement, if required (and all amendments and supplements to the statement). (Wis. Stat. § 707.47(2).) | If a court finds that any aspect of a contract relating to the use or ownership of a timeshare, any conduct directed against the purchaser, or any result of the contract is unconscionable, the court can choose not to enforce the contract. It can also choose to strike the unreasonable clauses out of the contract or limit the application of any unconscionable aspect or conduct as to avoid any unconscionable result. (Wis. Stat. § 707.06.) |
| Wyoming | Yes, if the transaction is a home solicitation sale | 3 business days after signing the contract (so long as the buyer is given a copy of the contract, the name and address for cancellation, and a written statement of cancellation rights, otherwise cancellation period begins when these items are provided). (Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-104.) | Wyoming law makes it illegal for a person to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the course of business, and only licensed real estate brokers may complete timeshare resale deals. (Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-105, § 33-28-104.) |