A recent report by the Footscray Legal Service said growing debts arising from signing contracts offered by door-to-door salespeople was one of the most common and problematic legal issues facing African migrants.

At last week's meeting, councillors unanimously agreed to write to energy retailers and pay-TV provider Foxtel asking them to voluntarily cease "aggressive door-to-door sales practices".

The council will also distribute "Do Not Knock" stickers to every Maribyrnong household.

Footscray Community Legal Service manager Denis Nelthorpe said the behaviour of some salespeople in public housing estates was a "predatory technique that belonged in the 19th century".

"How can [Maribyrnong residents] understand the contract if they don't understand the language? How can they give informed consent without an interpreter?"

Mr Nelthorpe said many African migrants had spent years in refugee camps and had no understanding of how contracts worked.

He said energy retailers had agreed to abide by people's wishes and not knock if they displayed the sticker.

The campaign would not hinder the work of charities "as long as they're not selling." A Foxtel statement said: "Victoria has some very strong consumer protection laws and our sales team happily complies with those when dealing with customers".

Maribyrnong Council acknowledged that door-to-door selling was a legal practice, but it said African migrants were not likely to register a complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria, because of language difficulties.

Energy Retailers Association of Australia executive director Cameron O'Reilly said door-to-door sales was the primary means used by 300,000 Victorians to get a better electricity deal.

"There can't be 300,000 problematic instances," he said.

Mr O'Reilly said sales practices were heavily regulated by the Victorian Energy Retail Code and, rather than a "blanket ban", a better approach would be for Maribyrnong Council to help retailers better understand residents' needs.