Get your 'Do Not Knock' sticker
Sick of door-to-door traders and their pushy sales tactics? Get one of our “Do Not Knock” stickers and show them the door.
Get your stickerGet your free sticker now
Anyone has the right to knock on your door, but you have the ability to deter them. Tell salespeople they’re not welcome by displaying a ‘Do Not Knock’ sticker anywhere it’s visible to people entering your property. If they ignore it, they could face a fine of up to $30,000.We’ve been campaigning against door-to-door sellers for years
- November 2014: Campaign launched. 100,000 “Do Not Knock” stickers distributed in first month
- May 2017: 500,000 stickers distributed
- October 2018: Government announces door-to-door sellers ignoring stickers will face prosecution under the Fair Trading Act
- November 2019: Fair Trading Amendment Bill introduced to parliament
- April 2020: Consumer NZ makes submission on Bill
- August 2021: Fair Trading Amendment Bill passes into law
- August 2022: Changes making it an offence to ignore a sticker come into force
Your rights
Everybody has an implied licence to enter your property and knock on your door. But you have the right to take away this licence. You can revoke a salesperson’s licence to enter your property by displaying a “Do Not Knock” sticker. If a door-to-door seller ignores the sticker, they’re likely to be trespassing.
As of 16 August 2022, they also face a $30,000 fine under the Fair Trading Act.
Recent changes to the act will make it an offence for any seller to ignore a sticker, or other written or verbal direction not to enter your property.
In addition to fining traders, the courts will be able to make other orders, including cancelling a sales agreement and requiring the door-to-door seller to pay compensation to the consumer.
Have you had a problem with door-to-door sellers?
Let us know about problems you have with door-to-door salespeople – and remember – it's an offence for sellers to ignore your “Do Not Knock” sticker, and they face a $30,000 fine under the Fair Trading Act.
FAQs about trespassing
My do not knock sticker is being ignored. What can I do?
If a salesperson ignores your sticker, you have two options. First, you can complain to the Commerce Commission. Under the Fair Trading Act, it is an offence to ignore a Do Not Knock sticker or any other written or verbal direction to leave. Second, you can warn the person they’re trespassing and you’ll call the police if they don’t leave. If the person doesn’t leave after you’ve given them a reasonable opportunity to do so, call 105 or 111 for emergencies and ask for the police. The person is committing an offence under the Trespass Act by remaining on your property.
What can I do to stop someone coming back again?
You can issue a trespass notice (408 KB). A trespass notice is a formal warning to stay off your property.
Who can give a trespass notice?
It doesn’t matter if you don’t own the home or the land, you just need to be a lawful occupier of the property (i.e. a tenant, licensee or owner) or someone authorised by the lawful occupier of the property.
How do I issue a trespass notice?
You can issue a trespass notice orally or in writing. We recommend a written trespass notice so you have proof you’ve issued the notice.
You can use this template (408 KB).
Complete three copies of the trespass notice – one for the trespasser, one for you and one for your local police station. Also, complete the “Details of service of trespass notice” page as a record of the notice having been served.
What do I do with the trespass notice once I’ve filled in three copies?
To issue a written trespass notice, simply hand it to the person. If the person won’t take the notice or if it drops to the ground, you have still served the notice.
How long does a trespass notice last?
If a person comes back within two years of receiving a trespass notice, they will be committing an offence under the Trespass Act. The penalty for an offence under the Trespass Act is a fine of up to $1000 or a prison term of up to three months.