AM Takes Park Homes Delegation to Minister

1.00.00pm GMT Fri 23rd May 2008

Ron Joyce: Park Home Residents Action Alliance (PHRAA); Patricia Deakin: Sunnyhaven Park, Howey, Powys; Cllr Les Davies: Disserth & Trecoed Ward, Powys; Kirsty Williams AM Brecon & Radnorshire; Sue Richardson: Caerwnon Park, Builth Wells, Powys; Robert Mountford: Caerwnon Park, Builth Wells, Powys; Mr & Mrs Cash; Malcolm Samways: (PHRAA)

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon & Radnorshire has taken a delegation to meet with the Minister for Housing to lobby for improved park homes legislation and greater protection of park home residents.

Following the introduction of new legislation and guidance in England, where the picture is still far from rosy, Welsh park home residents have been left worse off than their counterparts over the border.

The Delegation included residents from Sunnyhaven Park and Caerwnon Park in Powys; Cllr Les Davies and representatives from the UK wide Park Home Residents Action Alliance.

Kirsty said: "It was a very positive meeting and the Minister was very receptive to the concerns of the delegation. I am confident that she will now be minded to move to address the lack of accountability of rogue park owners who use bullying tactics against residents.

"Whilst clearly not all park owners are rogue, there is a continuous stream of worrying complaints from park home residents against the unreasonable conditions placed upon them by owners, particularly when trying to sell their park homes.

"This is especially worrying as many of those living in park homes are financially vulnerable and elderly; all too often their life savings have been put into their park home and they have everything to loose if taken advantage of by the owners.

"We are calling upon the Minister to address these concerns. Amongst other things we would like to see a Park Homes Ombudsman to ensure accountability and transparency and a Wales-wide Park Homes Forum for discussion, advice, and lobbying."

Notes:

In November 2007 Park Home owners in Wales were finally given the same rights as their English counterparts under amendments to the implied terms of the Mobile Home Act 1983. However problems that had been found in the implementation of the English legislation were not addressed or improved and mistakes were repeated despite the 12 month delay.

In April 2008 the Westminster Government published its New Model Standards document for Park Homes in England, which will improve dispute resolution for park home residents; Wales has still not seen such enhancements and dispute resolution remains lengthy and costly.