Westgate timeshare cancellation letter: what to write and send

Last updated 2026-07-25

What is a Westgate timeshare cancellation letter and when do you need one?

A Westgate timeshare cancellation letter is the written notice you send to Westgate Resorts (or its lender/title office) telling them you're rescinding your purchase contract under your state's cooling-off law. It's not a request. If you send it correctly and on time, the cancellation is your legal right, not something Westgate gets to approve or deny. That's the whole point of a rescission statute. You need one if you bought a Westgate interval, fixed week, or points package recently (usually within the last two weeks, sometimes up to 15 days depending on the state) and you've changed your mind. Buyer's remorse after a high-pressure presentation is common and it's exactly what rescission laws exist for. If your purchase closed months or years ago, a cancellation letter alone won't work. Westgate has no legal obligation to let you out of a contract once the rescission period has passed, and no letter changes that. At that point you're looking at deed-back programs, resale, or working through a legitimate exit path, not rescission. The Federal Trade Commission has brought enforcement action describing timeshare exit telemarketing schemes that took large upfront fees from consumers while doing little or nothing to actually get them out of their contracts ^[1]. Keep that pattern in mind before you pay anyone to write this letter for you.

How do you get out of a timeshare during the rescission period?

You get out by sending written notice of cancellation to Westgate before your state's rescission deadline expires, using the method your contract specifies (usually certified mail, sometimes also fax or a listed email address). Verbal cancellation, telling your sales rep you changed your mind, or simply not showing up for closing does not count in most states. Step one: find your contract's closing date. That's the date you signed final closing documents, not the date you attended the presentation. Rescission clocks in most states start from closing (or from the day you got a copy of the public offering statement, if that's later). Step two: confirm your state's rescission window. Florida gives buyers 10 calendar days ^[2]. Nevada gives 5 calendar days ^[3]. Tennessee's Time-Share Act sets a rescission period tied to the transaction circumstances, so pull the actual statute text rather than assuming a number ^[4]. Every state's timeshare act sets its own window. Westgate resorts operate across multiple states including Florida, Nevada, Missouri, Tennessee, and South Carolina, so the deadline that applies to you depends entirely on where you signed, not where the resort's corporate office sits. Step three: write the letter, sign it, and send it by a method that gives you proof of delivery. Keep a copy of everything. Step four: follow up. Call Westgate's owner services line to confirm receipt, and get the cancellation confirmation in writing.

What should a Westgate cancellation letter actually say?

Keep it short, factual, and unambiguous. A rescission letter is not the place for your feelings about the sales pitch. It's a legal notice, so structure it like one. Include these elements: - Your full name(s) as listed on the contract

• The contract or account number
• The resort location and unit/week/points allocation
• The date you signed (closing date)
• A clear statement: "I am rescinding/canceling this timeshare purchase contract under [your state]'s timeshare rescission law"
• The date you're sending the letter
• A request for written confirmation of cancellation and full refund of any deposit
• Your signature Sample structure: "To Westgate Resorts, [address from your contract]. Re: Contract #[number], dated [closing date]. I am exercising my right to cancel this timeshare purchase agreement under [state] law, [statute citation if you have it]. Please confirm receipt of this cancellation in writing and process a full refund of my deposit within the timeframe required by law. Sincerely, [name, signature, date]." Send it to the exact address listed in your contract's rescission disclosure, not Westgate's general corporate address. Many contracts specify a particular escrow agent, title company, or cancellation department. Using the wrong address can create delay arguments later, even if you mailed it on time.

How do you send it so it actually counts?

Certified mail with return receipt requested is the standard, defensible method, and it's cheap insurance. USPS certified mail service adds a flat fee on top of postage and produces a mailing receipt plus a signed delivery record you can request back ^[5]. That paper trail is what matters if Westgate later disputes timing. Some contracts also allow cancellation by fax or a designated email address. If yours does, use that method too, as a backup, on the same day. Don't rely solely on email unless your contract explicitly names it as an acceptable method. "I sent an email" is a weaker legal position than a signed certified mail receipt in a dispute. Whatever method you use, send before midnight of your last eligible day, not the next morning. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, check your specific state statute; some extend to the next business day, some don't. Keep copies of the letter itself, the mailing receipt, the tracking number, and any confirmation Westgate sends back. If you never hear back, that tracking number is your proof the letter existed and arrived.

What happens after you send the cancellation letter?

If you're inside the window and did everything correctly, Westgate is legally required to process the cancellation and refund your deposit within the timeframe your state sets. Florida law specifically requires a refund within 20 days of receiving a valid, timely cancellation notice ^[2]. Other states set their own refund clocks, often somewhere between 20 and 45 days, so check your state's specific timeshare act rather than assuming Florida's number applies everywhere. If Westgate doesn't respond, or disputes that your letter arrived on time, that's when you may need your state attorney general's consumer protection division or a real estate attorney licensed in the state where you bought. Florida's Attorney General maintains a consumer protection division that accepts complaints related to timeshare transactions. Don't stop making any payments you already owe while you wait for confirmation, unless and until the cancellation is confirmed in writing. If you stop paying prematurely and the rescission gets disputed, you could end up in collections or facing a credit hit for a contract that was never actually cancelled. If your rescission is confirmed, get it in writing, keep the letter permanently, and confirm the deposit refund actually lands in your account before you consider the matter closed.

What if the rescission window already passed?

Then a cancellation letter alone won't get you out, and no legitimate company can promise otherwise. This is the point where people get targeted by exit scams, because a letter that used to be free legal protection now feels like something worth paying for. It isn't, once the window has closed; what changes is the strategy, not the existence of some hidden loophole. Your realistic paths at this point: 1. Contact Westgate directly about their deed-back or surrender program, if they have one active for your resort. Some developers accept deeds back, especially on older or paid-off contracts, though acceptance isn't automatic and terms vary by resort and year. 2. Try resale, understanding that timeshares resell for a small fraction of purchase price, often near $0 to a few hundred dollars, because supply vastly exceeds demand. 3. Work with a legitimate paid exit service, understanding what you're paying for (contract review, negotiation help, document preparation) rather than a promised outcome. 4. Consult a licensed real estate or consumer attorney in your state, particularly if you believe the original sale involved fraud or misrepresentation. See how to get out of a timeshare and timeshare cancellation for the fuller decision tree on options after rescission has closed.

Are timeshares scams?

The timeshare product itself is legal in all 50 states and regulated by state real estate and consumer protection law. It's not inherently a scam, but the sales process is notorious for high pressure tactics, and the resale and exit industry around timeshares is genuinely full of scams. The FTC has taken enforcement action against timeshare exit companies, including a case in which the agency alleged the defendants collected upfront fees, sometimes thousands of dollars, from consumers by falsely promising to get them out of their contracts ^[1]. That's the scam pattern to watch for, not the timeshare industry as a whole. Common red flags in the exit and resale space: a caller claims to have a "buyer already lined up" for your specific unit, a company demands the full fee before doing any work, or someone claims they can get anyone out of any contract regardless of state or circumstances. Legitimate rescission is a legal right with real deadlines. Everything after that deadline is negotiation, document work, and patience, not a shortcut. Before paying anyone, check whether the company is named in state attorney general actions. Several exit companies have faced enforcement in past years, and those actions are public record searchable on your state AG's consumer protection page.

How much does a timeshare cost, and does that affect cancellation?

Purchase prices vary widely, but the average price paid for a timeshare interval was about $24,140 in 2023, according to the American Resort Development Association's consumer research summary distributed through its ARDA International Foundation ^[6]. Westgate units can run from the low five figures to well over $30,000 for larger or higher-season weeks, plus annual maintenance fees. Maintenance fees are the ongoing cost that catches most owners off guard. That same ARDA industry data puts average annual maintenance fees in the $1,000 to $1,200 range for a typical week-based interval, and fees typically rise a few percent every year, sometimes more when special assessments hit for roof repairs, hurricane damage, or renovations ^[6]. None of that purchase price or fee history affects your legal right to rescind inside the window. Rescission is about the contract's closing date, not the dollar amount. But it matters a lot for what happens after the window closes: the more you paid, and the higher your annual fees, the more urgency there tends to be to explore deed-back or resale, since resale value is almost never close to purchase price. If rising fees, not remorse, are your main problem, maintenance fee strategy is a different conversation than cancellation timing; a rescission letter won't lower your bill if you're past the window.

How do you sell a timeshare if you can't cancel it?

You sell it by listing through a licensed timeshare resale broker or platform, pricing it honestly (often near zero), and expecting a slow process, since demand for resale timeshares is very limited. Never pay a large upfront fee to a company claiming they already have a buyer lined up; that's one of the most common scam setups in this space. Realistic resale outlets include licensed timeshare resale brokers registered in your resort's state, and marketplaces where owners list directly. Many owners end up giving units away for a token dollar amount just to stop paying maintenance fees, because the ongoing fee burden outweighs any resale proceeds. Before trying resale, check whether Westgate has a deed-back or "exit" program for your specific resort. If Westgate will take the deed back directly, especially for a paid-off, older-year unit, that's usually faster and cheaper than resale, and it avoids the risk of a scam resale broker. For a broader comparison of resale versus deed-back versus paid exit help, see how do you get out of a timeshare.

How to get rid of a timeshare when you've inherited one you never wanted

Inherited timeshares are a distinct problem: you never signed a contract, so rescission law doesn't apply to you at all. Your options are disclaiming the inheritance (formally refusing it through probate, before you accept any benefit from it), negotiating a deed-back with the resort, or working through the estate's executor to resolve it as part of probate. An important nuance: if the estate accepts the timeshare as an asset and you accept a distribution from that estate, you may become responsible for the maintenance fees and any associated debt, even if you never wanted the timeshare. Disclaiming an inheritance has to happen correctly and often within a state-specific timeframe under probate law, so this is a case where talking to a probate attorney before accepting anything is worth the consultation fee. Westgate, like most developers, doesn't automatically release an estate from a timeshare obligation just because the heir doesn't want it. You (or the estate) typically need to formally request a deed-back or work out a release in writing. Don't assume ignoring the mail makes the debt disappear; unpaid maintenance fees can go to collections and affect the estate or, in some structures, the heir directly.

Where does an Exit Kit or paid help actually fit in?

If you're inside your rescission window, you generally don't need to pay anyone. Write the letter yourself using your state's statute, send it certified mail, and follow up. That's the whole process, and it costs you a stamp. If you're past the window and considering paid help, know what you're buying. Some owners find value in a structured resource that walks through contract review, deed-back request templates, and a call list of legitimate resort and regulator contacts, rather than an open-ended retainer with an exit company charging thousands upfront. ExitHonest's $149 one-time Exit Kit Builder is built for that narrower job: templates and a process, not a promised outcome, since nobody legitimate can promise the same result for every contract. Whatever you choose, verify independently. Check your state attorney general's consumer complaint database, check the Better Business Bureau, and never wire money or pay by gift card to anyone claiming they can cancel a Westgate contract outside the legal rescission period. If a company won't put its refund policy and fee structure in writing before you pay, walk away. See our timeshare exit companies guide for how to vet a company before paying anything, and our timeshare call list for who to actually contact at each stage.

Frequently asked questions

How to get out of a timeshare with Westgate specifically?

Inside your state's rescission window, send a written cancellation letter to the address in your contract, by certified mail, referencing your contract number and closing date. Outside the window, contact Westgate about deed-back options, consider licensed resale, or consult a consumer attorney. No company can promise a cancellation outcome once rescission has passed.

How to get out of timeshare after the rescission period ends?

You typically pursue deed-back (giving the deed back to Westgate, if they accept it for your resort), resale through a licensed broker, or working with a legitimate exit service. None of these are automatic, and resale value is usually minimal. Keep paying fees you owe until any release is confirmed in writing to avoid collections.

How do you get out of a timeshare if you never signed anything, like an inheritance?

You can disclaim an inherited timeshare through probate before accepting any benefit from the estate, which can release you from the obligation. Once you accept the inheritance, you may be responsible for fees. Talk to a probate attorney in the state where the estate is being administered before accepting anything.

How to sell a timeshare from Westgate on the resale market?

List through a licensed timeshare resale broker registered in the resort's state, price it realistically low (resale values are often near zero), and avoid any company demanding large upfront fees or claiming a buyer is already lined up. Check Westgate's own deed-back program first; it's often faster than resale.

How to get rid of a timeshare without paying an exit company thousands upfront?

Start by asking Westgate directly about a deed-back or surrender program for your resort. If eligible, that's typically free or low-cost compared to paid exit companies. Combine that with a written request and follow-up in writing, and only consider paid help if deed-back and resale genuinely aren't available.

Are timeshares scams, or is it just the exit industry that's risky?

The timeshare product itself is legal and regulated by state law; it's not a scam by definition. The FTC has pursued enforcement against exit and resale companies that charged large upfront fees and failed to deliver, which is the risk pattern to watch for. That risk sits mostly in the secondary exit/resale market, not in owning the timeshare itself.

How much is a timeshare, on average, in the US?

The average price paid for a timeshare interval was about $24,140 in 2023, according to ARDA's consumer research summary, though prices for Westgate units can range from the low five figures to over $30,000 depending on resort, season, and unit size. Purchase price doesn't affect your rescission rights, which depend on timing, not cost.

How much do timeshares cost per year in maintenance fees?

Average annual timeshare maintenance fees generally fall in the $1,000 to $1,200 range per ARDA industry data, and fees commonly rise a few percent yearly, with occasional special assessments for major repairs. These fees continue regardless of how much you paid upfront, which is why many owners eventually pursue deed-back or exit rather than keep paying.

How much are timeshares if I want to buy resale instead of from the developer?

Resale timeshares often sell for a small fraction of developer price, sometimes just a few hundred dollars or even free-to-transfer, because resale demand is very low and supply is high. Buyers should still budget for ongoing annual maintenance fees, which stay similar regardless of what you paid to acquire the unit.

What's the actual deadline to cancel a Westgate contract?

It depends entirely on the state where you signed. Florida gives 10 calendar days, Nevada gives 5 calendar days, and Tennessee's Time-Share Act sets its own period depending on transaction circumstances, so confirm your specific state's statute rather than assuming a number. The clock generally starts at contract closing, not the day of the sales presentation.

Does a cancellation letter work if I already made a payment?

Yes, sending a rescission letter inside your window still works even if you've made a deposit or first payment; the law generally requires a full refund of amounts paid once a valid, timely cancellation is received. Keep proof of payment and proof of your cancellation letter's delivery in case a refund dispute comes up.

Can Westgate refuse to accept my cancellation letter?

Not if it's sent correctly and on time under your state's law; the right to rescind within the statutory window isn't optional for the developer. If Westgate disputes timing or receipt, that's when a state attorney general consumer complaint or a consumer attorney becomes the next step, backed by your mailing and delivery proof.

Sources

1. Federal Trade Commission v. Resort Relief LLC et al., FTC v. RSI Enterprises timeshare exit case materials: FTC enforcement action against a timeshare exit company alleging upfront fees collected without delivering promised contract cancellations
2. Online Sunshine, Florida Statutes Section 721.10: Florida gives timeshare buyers 10 calendar days to cancel and requires refund within 20 days
3. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 119A.410: Nevada's timeshare rescission period is 5 calendar days
4. Tennessee Code Annotated 66-32-114, Time-Share Act: Tennessee provides a rescission period tied to transaction circumstances under its Time-Share Act
5. USPS Postal Explorer, Domestic Mail Manual 503, Extra Services (Certified Mail): Certified mail with return receipt provides proof of mailing and delivery date
6. American Resort Development Association, ARDA International Foundation consumer research on vacation ownership: Average timeshare purchase price and average annual maintenance fee figures from ARDA industry consumer research
7. Florida Senate: Requirements for timeshare public offering statements referenced when evaluating what a cancellation letter should address
8. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Explanation of timeshare ownership and financial obligations affecting cancellation decisions
9. Internal Revenue Service: Tax treatment considerations for inherited property such as a timeshare