Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:30 pm on 5 June 2018.
Can I thank the Minister for your statement today? Following extensive consultation, as you said, on the commission rates for park homes and the impacts for park home owners and park home businesses in Wales, I've had strong representations regarding the current 10 per cent commission rate for park home residents who often find themselves constrained by their financial circumstances, as residents of park homes, in terms of resale costs. So, I welcome the measured way you've responded to this challenging situation with a reduction to 5 per cent over a period of five years. I also welcome the emphasis you've placed on the wider issues regarding park homes, which are critically important in terms of the engagement I've had over the years with park homes, in terms of best management, facilities, monitoring and inspection.
But, concerns have also been raised with me by park home residents regarding the impact of this reduction—for example, concerns that park home residents could be subject, as has already been said, to unacceptable rent increases, and whether those who paid the 10 per cent commission will be transitionally protected from those rent increases.