töökindlusaega

Töökindlusaeg, meaning "work guarantee period" or "warranty period for work" in English, is a legal concept in Estonian law. It refers to the duration during which a contractor is legally responsible for defects or faults that appear in the work they have performed or the goods they have supplied. This concept is primarily governed by the Law of Obligations Act.

The purpose of töökindlusaeg is to protect the buyer or client, ensuring that the work or goods delivered are of satisfactory quality and free from latent defects. If a defect becomes apparent within this stipulated period, the contractor is obligated to rectify it at their own expense. This can include repairing the defect, replacing the faulty item, or in some cases, a reduction in price or termination of the contract.

The length of the töökindlusaeg is not fixed by law for all types of contracts and often depends on the nature of the work or goods, as well as the agreement between the parties. However, the law does provide certain minimum durations or presumptions in the absence of a specific agreement. For example, for construction work, a common minimum warranty period is two years from the completion of the work. For movable goods, the warranty period is typically two years from the transfer of ownership, unless otherwise agreed or specified by law.

The client must notify the contractor of any discovered defect within a reasonable time after they have become aware of it, and in any case, before the expiration of the töökindlusaeg. Failure to do so might result in the loss of warranty rights. The contractor’s liability under the töökindlusaeg is distinct from general warranty rights that may apply to consumer goods.