Ending your CLC membership made easy

What is CLC?

CLC World Resorts & Hotels is one of Europe's largest timeshare and holiday club operators, offering members access to a network of resort properties primarily across Spain, but also extending to other Mediterranean destinations. Founded in 1987, CLC has built a substantial portfolio of holiday accommodation that members can book throughout the year, with the promise of flexible, cost-effective family holidays in sunny locations.

The company operates on a membership model where individuals purchase either timeshare weeks at specific properties or points-based memberships that allow booking across multiple resorts. CLC's properties are typically located in popular tourist areas including the Canary Islands, Costa del Sol, and various Greek islands, appealing particularly to British families seeking guaranteed sunshine holidays.

Most importantly, CLC memberships come with long-term financial commitments including annual maintenance fees that continue regardless of whether you use your membership. These fees typically increase year-on-year, which catches many members by surprise. Additionally, members are responsible for their share of resort upkeep, special assessments, and other charges that can accumulate significantly over time.

The business model relies on members attending presentations, often with incentives like discounted holidays or cash vouchers, where sales teams present the benefits of membership. However, many people who cancel cite high-pressure sales tactics, unexpected costs, and difficulty booking desired dates as primary reasons for wanting to exit their contracts.

Keep in mind that CLC, like most timeshare operators, structures contracts to make them difficult to exit. Understanding what you're dealing with is the first step toward successfully cancelling your membership, which is why knowing the proper procedures and your legal rights is absolutely essential.

Plans, features and pricing

CLC offers several membership structures, each with different features, costs, and commitments. Understanding which type you hold is crucial because cancellation procedures and your legal rights may vary depending on your specific contract type.

Membership types and structures

The traditional fixed-week timeshare gives you ownership of a specific week at a particular property each year. You'll have a deeded interest in the property, which means you technically own a portion of real estate. These memberships typically cost between £8,000 and £25,000 upfront, depending on the property, week number, and unit size.

The points-based CLC Club membership offers more flexibility, allowing you to accumulate points annually that can be used across the CLC resort network. Initial costs range from £10,000 to £40,000 or more, depending on the number of points purchased. This system appeals to people wanting variety in their holiday destinations, but the reality is that popular resorts and peak times require significantly more points than members initially expect.

Additionally, CLC offers fractional ownership options at premium properties, where you purchase a larger share of a specific unit. These can cost £50,000 or considerably more, positioning them as luxury holiday investments, though they carry the same exit difficulties as other timeshare products.

Ongoing costs and fees

First, understand that these fees are legally enforceable debts. Even if you never use your membership, you remain liable for annual charges until you've properly exited the contract. This is precisely why many people seek cancellation—the ongoing costs often exceed the value they receive from the membership.

Next, be aware that CLC can and will pursue unpaid fees through debt collection agencies and potentially legal action. Simply stopping payment without formally cancelling is not a viable exit strategy and will seriously damage your credit rating whilst still leaving you liable for the debt.

Membership benefits and limitations

CLC markets its memberships with promises of luxury accommodation, flexible booking, and family-friendly facilities. Properties typically include swimming pools, restaurants, entertainment facilities, and self-catering apartments. However, former members frequently report that booking availability doesn't match the promises made during sales presentations.

Peak season availability is notoriously difficult to secure, often requiring booking twelve months in advance. Properties may show signs of wear and tear that don't match the glossy brochures. Additionally, many members find that once they calculate the total cost including maintenance fees, booking fees, and travel expenses, traditional package holidays offer better value.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Understanding CLC's contractual terms and your legal rights under UK and European law is absolutely critical before attempting cancellation. This knowledge determines your approach and significantly affects your likelihood of success.

The cooling-off period and your statutory rights

Most importantly, UK and EU timeshare regulations provide a mandatory 14-day cooling-off period for all timeshare contracts. This period begins from either the date you signed the contract or when you received all required documentation, whichever is later. During this window, you have an absolute right to cancel without providing reasons or facing penalties.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulations 2010 specifically protect UK consumers. If CLC failed to provide the required information at the point of sale—including a standardised information form, contract terms in English, and clear cancellation instructions—your cooling-off period may be extended up to one year and 14 days.

Additionally, if the contract was signed outside CLC's business premises (such as at a hotel presentation or exhibition), you may have additional rights under distance selling regulations. Keep in mind that many successful cancellations outside the standard cooling-off period rely on proving that proper procedures weren't followed during the sale.

Long-term contract cancellation challenges

Once the cooling-off period expires, CLC considers the contract binding for its full duration, which is often in perpetuity or for an extremely long fixed term. The company's official position is that there is no standard cancellation procedure for contracts outside the statutory cancellation period.

However, several legitimate grounds for cancellation exist beyond the cooling-off period. Misrepresentation during the sales process—such as false promises about rental income, guaranteed availability, or investment potential—can render contracts voidable. If you can demonstrate that you were given materially false information that influenced your decision to purchase, you may have grounds for cancellation.

Breach of contract by CLC also provides cancellation grounds. This might include failure to provide promised services, significant property deterioration, or unreasonable fee increases. Documentation is essential if you're pursuing cancellation on these grounds—keep records of all communications, photographs of property conditions, and evidence of booking difficulties.

Notice periods and contractual obligations

Even when pursuing legitimate cancellation, you must continue meeting your financial obligations until the cancellation is formally accepted. Stopping payments prematurely will be treated as breach of contract, potentially undermining your cancellation claim and damaging your credit rating.

CLC typically requires written notice of any cancellation claim, and you should expect the process to take several months at minimum. The company may initially refuse cancellation requests, requiring persistent follow-up and potentially legal assistance. This is precisely why proper documentation and using recorded delivery methods is so important—you need proof of every communication.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Postal cancellation using Recorded Delivery is unequivocally the most reliable method for terminating a CLC membership. This section explains exactly why and provides a step-by-step process that protects your interests throughout.

Why postal cancellation is essential

First, understand that phone calls and emails provide insufficient proof of your cancellation attempt. CLC, like most timeshare operators, handles thousands of member communications, and verbal requests can be easily disputed or claimed as never received. Without documentary proof with independent verification, you have no evidence if disputes arise later.

Recorded Delivery provides legally recognised proof of posting and delivery. The Royal Mail tracking system creates an independent record that courts accept as evidence. This matters enormously if CLC claims they never received your cancellation or if they continue pursuing fees after you've cancelled.

Additionally, written cancellation allows you to clearly state your position, reference specific contractual clauses, cite relevant legislation, and create a permanent record of exactly what you communicated and when. This documentation becomes invaluable if you need to escalate to trading standards, seek legal advice, or defend against debt collection attempts.

Most importantly, timeshare regulations specifically require cancellation notices to be in writing. Verbal cancellations simply don't satisfy legal requirements, meaning CLC can legitimately ignore them and continue enforcing the contract.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Before writing anything, gather all relevant documentation. You'll need your membership number, contract documents, sales materials, correspondence history, and records of all payments made. Having this information to hand ensures your cancellation letter is comprehensive and references specific details that make it harder to dispute.

Your letter should clearly state your intention to cancel, identify your membership by number and contract date, and specify the grounds for cancellation. If you're within the cooling-off period, simply state that you're exercising your statutory right to cancel under the relevant regulations. If you're outside this period, you'll need to specify your grounds—misrepresentation, breach of contract, or other legitimate reasons.

Keep in mind that your tone should remain professional and factual. Emotional language or aggressive demands tend to be counterproductive. State facts, reference specific incidents or promises with dates where possible, and clearly request confirmation of cancellation and cessation of all fees.

Include your full contact details, membership number, and a clear statement that you expect written confirmation within 14 days. Request that CLC confirm cancellation, confirm that no further fees are due, and provide details of any refund you're claiming if applicable.

The posting process step-by-step

Next, once your letter is prepared, you need to send it correctly. Visit a Post Office branch—don't use postboxes for something this important. Request Recorded Delivery service, which currently costs around £3.50 for standard letters. The staff will provide a receipt with a unique tracking reference that proves you posted the letter.

Additionally, consider sending a second copy via Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed, which costs more (around £7-£9) but provides delivery by 1pm the next working day with a signature on delivery. This creates an even stronger evidence trail and demonstrates the seriousness of your cancellation. Whilst this doubles your costs, it's insignificant compared to ongoing membership fees.

Photograph or scan your letter before posting, and keep copies of all postal receipts. Store these safely—you may need them months or even years later if disputes arise. Track your delivery online using the reference number, and note the delivery date and time when it arrives.

The correct postal address

Send your cancellation letter to CLC's registered office address. This is crucial—sending to the wrong address can delay processing or provide CLC with grounds to claim non-receipt. The correct address is:

• CLC World Resorts & Hotels
• 6th Floor
• Astral Towers
• Betts Way
• Crawley
• West Sussex
• RH10 9XA
• United Kingdom

Always address correspondence to a specific department when possible—"Member Services Department" or "Contract Cancellations" helps ensure it reaches the right team. However, the registered office address ensures legal validity regardless of internal routing.

Following up after posting

After posting, track delivery online and note when CLC receives your letter. They should acknowledge receipt within 14 days, though in practice this often takes longer. If you receive no response within three weeks, send a follow-up letter referencing your original cancellation, including copies of your postal receipts as proof of delivery.

Keep in mind that CLC may respond by rejecting your cancellation or requesting additional information. Don't be discouraged—initial rejections are common. Respond promptly to any requests for information, always using Recorded Delivery, and maintain your position firmly but professionally.

If CLC continues refusing cancellation and you believe you have legitimate grounds, you may need to escalate. Options include contacting Citizens Advice, reporting to Trading Standards, seeking assistance from timeshare consumer groups, or consulting a solicitor specialising in timeshare law. Your postal records become essential evidence at this stage.

Using services like Postclic for efficiency

Whilst you can certainly handle postal cancellation yourself, services like Postclic streamline the entire process significantly. Postclic allows you to create, send, and track recorded delivery letters entirely online, eliminating trips to the Post Office and ensuring professional presentation.

The service provides digital proof of posting and delivery, stores all documentation automatically, and ensures your letter is formatted professionally. For people juggling work and family commitments, this time-saving can be invaluable, and the digital record-keeping means you'll never lose crucial evidence. The cost is comparable to postal fees plus your time, making it a practical option for many people seeking efficient cancellation.

Tips from former members

Having processed countless CLC cancellations, certain patterns emerge regarding what works, what doesn't, and how to avoid common pitfalls. These insights from former members and cancellation specialists can save you considerable time, money, and stress.

Common mistakes to avoid

First, never stop paying fees before receiving written confirmation of cancellation. This is the single most common mistake people make, and it seriously undermines your position. CLC will immediately treat non-payment as breach of contract, potentially referring you to debt collectors and damaging your credit file. Continue payments until cancellation is confirmed, then request refunds if appropriate.

Don't rely on verbal assurances from CLC staff. Sales representatives, customer service agents, and even managers may make promises or statements about cancellation, but unless you have it in writing with an authorised signature, it's worthless. Always insist on written confirmation and don't accept vague promises that "it's being processed" without documentary evidence.

Additionally, avoid third-party "timeshare exit companies" that charge thousands of pounds upfront. Whilst legitimate timeshare lawyers exist, many exit companies are scams that take your money and achieve nothing. If you need professional help, consult a qualified solicitor with verifiable timeshare experience, and never pay large fees before seeing results.

Documentation is everything

Keep meticulous records from day one. Create a dedicated folder—physical or digital—containing your contract, all correspondence with CLC, payment records, sales materials, photographs of properties if relevant, and records of booking attempts. This documentation becomes invaluable if you need to prove misrepresentation or breach of contract.

Most importantly, document everything in real-time. If you experience problems booking, note the dates, times, properties you tried to book, and who you spoke with. If property conditions are poor, photograph them during your visit. If CLC makes promises, request written confirmation immediately. Building a comprehensive evidence file as you go is far easier than trying to reconstruct events months later.

Understanding your leverage points

CLC, like all timeshare operators, is sensitive to regulatory scrutiny and negative publicity. If you're getting nowhere with standard cancellation requests, consider these escalation options. Report issues to Trading Standards, particularly if you believe sales practices were misleading or aggressive. Trading Standards investigations can pressure companies to resolve individual complaints.

Contact the Resort Development Organisation (RDO), the timeshare industry trade body, if CLC is a member. Whilst they represent industry interests, they do operate a dispute resolution service that can sometimes achieve results. Additionally, consider reporting issues to the Financial Ombudsman if your purchase involved credit or financing.

Keep in mind that social media and review platforms can be effective. Timeshare companies monitor their online reputation closely, and detailed, factual accounts of your experience on platforms like Trustpilot or consumer forums can sometimes prompt more cooperative responses. However, stick to verifiable facts and avoid defamatory statements.

Timing your cancellation strategically

If you're approaching the end of your membership year, timing matters. Cancelling just before renewal can prevent another year's fees being charged, though CLC may argue you owe the full year regardless. Review your contract carefully to understand when fees become due and time your cancellation accordingly.

Additionally, if you're experiencing financial hardship, communicate this to CLC alongside your cancellation request. Whilst financial difficulty alone isn't grounds for cancellation, companies sometimes offer exit options to members who can demonstrate genuine inability to pay, particularly if the alternative is lengthy debt collection procedures.

When to seek professional help

If your membership cost over £20,000, involves complex financing arrangements, or if CLC is aggressively pursuing payment despite legitimate cancellation grounds, consulting a specialist timeshare solicitor may be worthwhile. Initial consultations are often free, and many work on no-win-no-fee arrangements for strong cases.

Look for solicitors who are members of the Timeshare Consumer Association or who have verifiable experience in timeshare law. Check reviews carefully and avoid anyone guaranteeing results or requesting large upfront fees. Legitimate legal professionals will assess your case honestly and explain realistic outcomes.

Life after CLC membership

Once you've successfully cancelled, ensure you receive written confirmation that specifically states your membership is terminated, no further fees are due, and CLC will not pursue any outstanding amounts beyond what you've agreed. Keep this confirmation permanently—you may need it if debt collectors contact you years later.

Check your credit file three to six months after cancellation to ensure no adverse information has been recorded. If CLC has reported missed payments or defaults despite proper cancellation, you can dispute these with credit reference agencies using your cancellation documentation as evidence.

Finally, many former members report feeling significant relief once free from the ongoing financial burden and stress of unwanted timeshare commitments. The process can be lengthy and frustrating, but persistence combined with proper procedures does achieve results. Your diligence in following the correct postal cancellation process, maintaining comprehensive records, and asserting your rights professionally gives you the best possible chance of successfully exiting your CLC membership and moving forward without this financial obligation.