📋 Права членов спортзала в California
California's Health Studio Services Contract Act (Civil Code Sections 1812.80-1812.98) provides strong protections for gym members. The law regulates contract terms, requires specific disclosures, and provides multiple grounds for cancellation and refunds.
Когда воспользоваться этим руководством
🚫 Отказ в расторжении
Спортзал отклонил вашу заявку на расторжение или создал неразумные препятствия для отмены
💰 Несанкционированные списания
Спортзал продолжал выставлять счета после расторжения или снимал несанкционированные сборы за автоматическое продление
🏗 Закрытие объекта
Спортзал закрылся, переехал или убрал удобства, на которые вы рассчитывали
📝 Нарушения договора
Gym's contract violates California law (excessive terms, no cancellation rights)
👍 Ваши права по законодательству California
- 5-day cooling-off period - Cancel any new membership within 5 business days for full refund
- Cancel for relocation - If you move more than 25 miles from facility
- Cancel for disability - If you become physically unable to use services
- Cancel for death - Estate can cancel upon member's death
- Monthly payment option - You must be offered month-to-month after initial term
- No contracts over 3 years - Maximum initial term is 36 months
Права на расторжение по Закону о фитнес-студиях
📅 Право на отмену в течение 5 дней
▼Under Civil Code Section 1812.85, you may cancel any health studio contract within 5 business days of signing. The gym must provide a written notice of this right at the time of contract. If they failed to provide this notice, your cancellation right extends indefinitely.
📍 Расторжение договора при переезде
▼Under Civil Code Section 1812.89, if you move your residence more than 25 miles from the health studio (and there is no comparable facility within 5 miles of your new residence), you may cancel and receive a pro-rata refund of any prepaid amounts.
🧔 Расторжение договора по инвалидности
▼If you become physically unable to use the health studio services due to significant physical disability for more than 6 months, you may cancel and receive a pro-rata refund. A note from your physician may be required.
🏗 Закрытие или изменение объекта
▼If the health studio closes, relocates more than 5 miles, or materially changes its services or facilities, you may cancel and receive a full refund of any unused prepaid amounts. The gym's failure to maintain promised amenities may constitute material change.
⚠ Защита от автоматического продления
California Business and Professions Code Section 17602 requires gyms to: (1) clearly disclose auto-renewal terms, (2) obtain affirmative consent, (3) provide easy cancellation methods, and (4) send renewal reminders. Violations allow you to void the renewal and obtain refunds.
⚖ Правовая база
California heavily regulates health studio contracts. These statutes support your cancellation and refund claims.
Ключевые законы California
Civil Code Sections 1812.80-1812.98 (Health Studio Services Contract Act)
Comprehensive regulation of gym contracts. Limits contract duration to 36 months, requires specific disclosures, mandates cooling-off period, provides cancellation rights for relocation and disability, and requires pro-rata refunds.
Business and Professions Code Section 17602 (Automatic Renewal Law)
Requires clear disclosure of auto-renewal terms before initial purchase, affirmative consent, and easy cancellation. Violations void the automatic renewal provision entirely. Applies to all gym memberships with auto-renewal.
Civil Code Section 1812.85 (Right to Cancel)
Provides 5 business days to cancel any health studio contract for a full refund. Gym must provide written cancellation notice at time of contract. Failure to provide notice extends cancellation right indefinitely.
Business and Professions Code Section 17200 (UCL)
Unfair Competition Law prohibits unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices. Gyms that violate contract regulations or engage in deceptive billing may be liable for restitution and injunctive relief.
Ограничения договора по законодательству California
📅 Максимум 36 месяцев
No health studio contract can exceed 3 years including renewals during initial term
💰 Ограничения платежей
Cannot require more than 2 months advance payment or one installment
📝 Обязательные раскрытия
Must disclose total price, payment schedule, and cancellation rights in writing
🔒 Гарантийный залог
Gyms collecting advance payments must maintain surety bond for member protection
✅ Список доказательств
Соберите эти документы перед отправкой претензионного письма об отмене.
📄 Договорные документы
- ✓Первоначальное соглашение о членстве
- ✓Любые изменения или продления договора
- ✓Документация о политике отмены
- ✓Уведомление об автоматическом продлении (при наличии)
💰 Платёжные записи
- ✓Выписки из банка/кредитной карты со списаниями
- ✓Квитанции обо всех произведённых платежах
- ✓Доказательства списаний после расторжения
- ✓Общая сумма, уплаченная на сегодняшний день
📩 Переписка
- ✓Заявки на отмену (электронное письмо, письменное заявление, форма)
- ✓Gym's responses or denials
- ✓Любые обещания со стороны персонала
- ✓Письменное уведомление о переезде или инвалидности
📍 Подтверждающие документы
- ✓Подтверждение переезда (новый договор аренды, счета за коммунальные услуги)
- ✓Doctor's note for disability cancellation
- ✓Фотографии закрытого или изменённого объекта
- ✓Свидетельство о смерти (для расторжения наследственной массой)
💰 Calculate Your Damages
Gym contract violations can result in full refunds plus additional penalties under California law.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Refund | If gym violated disclosure requirements or denied valid cancellation |
| Pro-Rata Refund | Unused portion of prepaid membership upon valid cancellation |
| Unauthorized Charges | All charges made after cancellation or without proper consent |
| Bank Fees | Overdraft fees, stop payment fees caused by unauthorized charges |
| UCL Restitution | Full restitution for unfair business practices |
| Credit Repair | If gym sent account to collections, costs to repair credit |
📊 Sample Damages Calculation
Example: Denied cancellation after relocation
Interactive Gym Refund Calculator
🏋 Calculate Your Gym Membership Refund
Enter your membership details to calculate your refund demand.
📝 Sample Language
Copy and customize these paragraphs for your cancellation demand letter.
🚀 Next Steps
What to do after sending your demand letter.
If the Gym Does Not Respond
- File Complaint with California AG - The Attorney General handles consumer complaints at oag.ca.gov/consumers
- Dispute Credit Card Charges - File chargebacks for unauthorized charges with your credit card company
- Small Claims Court - File in small claims for amounts up to $10,000
- Report to BBB - File complaint with Better Business Bureau
💳 Credit Card Chargebacks
For unauthorized charges, contact your credit card company to dispute. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you have 60 days from the billing statement to dispute. For recurring charges made after cancellation, each charge is a new violation with its own dispute period.
Нужна юридическая помощь?
Gym membership disputes can often be resolved with a strong demand letter. Get a strategy call if your gym refuses to comply.
Записаться на консультацию - $125California Resources
- CA Attorney General Consumer Protection: oag.ca.gov/consumers
- California Courts Self-Help: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov (small claims)
- Department of Consumer Affairs: dca.ca.gov
- Better Business Bureau: bbb.org
👥 When to Hire a Consumer Rights Attorney
Gym membership cancellation disputes vary in complexity. Here's when you can handle it yourself versus when legal help is worthwhile.
Handle It Yourself When:
✓ Simple Cancellation
You just want to cancel and have no billing disputes yet - follow the written notice procedures
✓ Small Amount Disputed
One or two unauthorized charges totaling under $200 - credit card dispute may resolve it
✓ Gym Is Cooperative
The gym acknowledges your cancellation and offers to process refunds
✓ Good Documentation
You have proof of cancellation and can clearly document the violation
Hire an Attorney When:
⚠ Persistent Billing
Gym continues charging after cancellation for multiple months
⚠ Collections Threat
Gym sent account to collections or threatens credit damage over disputed charges
⚠ Cancellation Refusal
Gym refuses to accept proper written cancellation or claims contract lock-in
⚠ Significant Damages
Unauthorized charges exceed $500 or caused significant financial harm
Why Attorney Representation Makes Sense
- Fee-Shifting: Health Studio Services Contract Law requires gyms to pay your attorney fees if you win
- Statutory Penalties: ARL violations allow $500+ per violation plus actual damages
- Collections Defense: Attorneys can stop improper collection activity and pursue FDCPA claims
- Quick Resolution: Gyms often settle immediately when facing attorney letters
Not Sure If You Need an Attorney?
Take our quick assessment to get a personalized recommendation for your gym membership dispute.
Take Free Assessment💡 Attorney Fee-Shifting
Many consumer attorneys work on contingency for gym disputes. Fee-shifting provisions mean no upfront cost for viable claims.