park homes policy forum

LATEST - Government call for evidence

 

On March 6th, 2026, the government launched its latest call for evidence, seeking to establish the rationale for the payment of commission and to understand how the commission rate is determined and calculated as a percentage of the sale price of a home. The call is

also seeking evidence of how the commission payment operates within the existing legislation and to gain a better understanding of how the sector’s current business model operates.

Park Home residents are urged to participate, so the link to the document can be found here click the button to go to the government web page.

 

 

 

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When selling a park home in the UK, the site owner is legally entitled to a commission of up to 10% of the sale price. This payment is governed by the Mobile Homes Act 1983 and is due upon completion, with the buyer paying 90% to the seller and 10% to the site owner. 

Key Details Regarding Park Home Commissions:

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• Maximum Rate: The commission rate is capped at 10% of the purchase price.

 

• Payment Process: The buyer is responsible for paying this commission to the site owner, not the seller.

 

• Legal Basis: The Mobile Homes (Selling and Gifting) (England) Regulations 2013 stipulate this, and it applies to most park home sales.

 

• Controversy: The 10% fee has faced scrutiny, with residents' groups lobbying for a reduction or abolition, arguing it is high for the services provided.

 

• Ongoing Review: As of early 2026, there are ongoing calls for government action to review or change the commission structure. 

   

It`s essential to check your specific written statement for the exact, agreed-upon percentage, which cannot exceed the statutory maximum. You should also look for any term that might commit you to paying even if the commissions has been reduced or abolished. If there is, then you should decline to proceed and walk away as the inclusion of such a terms may indicate other problems

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A PERSONAL VIEW

 

The following doesn`t claim to represent the views of all, or even most ,of our members. Anyone who presumes 100% support on any issue is likely self-delusional. There are always degrees, those with personal agenda`s, those who support a group or organisation but who`ve never delved below the surface or the slogan or considered the implications of a cause. For these reasons, the following should be seen as the personal view of Tony Turner, who says as follows;

 

`` There`s no need to go into the precise histrionics of the sales commissions, because we are where we are - and today is now.

 

That said, there was time when the commission was often justified. Those were the years before the infiltration of the hardened crooks when ethical operators maintained their sites and helped with sales.

 

For known reasons, site owners were removed from the sales processes so I`d first supported its abolition – but also when we had active protective services such as those provided by Local Authority Trading Standards teams and police who`d respond to notified crime including siet owner harassment, intimidations and fraud.

 

There were two things that killed all that, The failures of successive governments to further criminalise the crooks, instead introducing the so far largely unworkable Fit & Proper person criteria

 

So, nowadays, whilst there can be NO justification for the sales commission, the realities include the investments made by business`s relying upon a guaranteed future revenue streams . Remove or interfere with the commission and the smaller ethical operators may well be forced to sell out the to crooks, whilst the crooks will look to compensate for the shortfalls with new and unlawful schemes, such as those that the PHPF has been publicly fighting….

 

So, to summarise; To remove the commissions whilst enabling the crooks to flourish invites more serous problems, also where there are other options.

 

Meanwhile we await this government`s next move.

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THE LATEST EVENT

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The UK government launched a call for evidence on 5th March 2026 to review the 10% commission fee charged on park home sales, exploring its, rationale, fairness, and impact on residents. The consultation aims to address long-standing debates about the, maximum, fee, which has remained unchanged since 1983. This, review, closes on 29 May 2026.

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Key Details on the Review:​

 

Context:

The call for evidence follows a 2021 report that found no consensus on the rationale behind the 10% fee and suggested it may trap residents in their homes.

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Issues:

Residents argue the fee is too high, while site owners often argue it is necessary, leading to calls to reduce or eliminate it.

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Government Stance:

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is investigating how the, fee is calculated and its role in the sector's business model, particularly regarding smaller parks.

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Previous Findings:

A 2022, research report suggested that if the commission were abolished, park operators might increase pitch fees by 20% to 32%.

The call for evidence is open to all, including residents, site owners, and industry bodies, with a closing date of 11:59 pm on 29 May 2026