Esther McVey has called on government to cut the commission park homeowners are forced to pay when selling their properties.
Commission is currently capped at 10 per cent but residents argue the costs are unfair.
Ms McVey said: “Talking to my park homeowners, they tell me they feel financially trapped should they wish or need to sell their home. They also rightly point out that they already pay site fees so they believe this extra cost is unjust.”
Site owners say the money funds repairs and investment into the parks and is needed.
Previously, it has been said that the commission paid by residents when they sell is similar to stamp duty
But Ms McVey pointed out stamp duty is paid when buying a house, not selling, and 10 per cent of sales is a “huge amount of money to lose”.
A government consultation is currently underway looking at the rationale for the commission, whether the need has changed over the years, as well as what goods and services are paid for (with it) and how the money enables site owners to meet their obligations effectively and efficiently.
Ms McVey said: “This cannot be a one-sided consultation; residents must be heard. I urge all my park homeowners to respond so we can show the strength of feeling over this issue. So far just 400 residents of the 160,000 living in park homes up and down the country have responded.
In the debate Ms McVey pushed Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to commit to a timeframe. She was given assurances a decision on commission would be made by the end of the year.
Ms McVey said: “Back in 2022, I presented a petition in Parliament calling for annual pitch fee increases for park homes to be linked to consumer price inflation rather than retail price inflation, which the then Conservative government enacted. Now we need action over the 10 per cent commission.”
The consultation closes on May 29 and people can have their say by visiting www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/park-homes-reasons-for-commiss…
