It's one of the more upsetting conversations a caravan owner can have.

You've looked after your caravan, you've paid your fees, and then the park tells you:

"Your caravan has reached its age limit. It needs to be replaced or removed."

If that's happened to you, don't panic and don't rush into anything.

You usually have more options than it first seems. Here's what to check and what to think about.

Why Parks Have Age Limits

Many holiday parks limit how old a caravan can be before it has to be replaced or moved off the park.

There's no single national rule. You'll hear about a "10-year rule" or a "15-year rule", but these are individual park policies, not law. Some parks allow 20 years or more, and some have no fixed age limit at all.

Parks usually give reasons such as:

  • keeping the park looking smart and consistent
  • concerns about wear, safety and older appliances
  • attracting new owners and guests

Some of that is fair enough. But it's also true that parks sell new caravans, and an age limit brings owners back to the sales office.

Either way, what matters is what your agreement says.

Start With Your Licence Agreement

Before you agree to anything, dig out your licence agreement (sometimes called a pitch licence or combined purchase and licence agreement) and look for:

  • how long the caravan can stay on the pitch, and whether that's counted from the date of manufacture or the date it was sited
  • whether there's an age limit at all, and whether it was in the agreement when you bought
  • what happens when the agreement period ends
  • notice periods for removal
  • removal, disconnection and decking charges
  • refunds of any site fees you've paid in advance
  • rules on selling the caravan, on-site and off-site

Trading Standards' Business Companion guidance for holiday parks says agreements must be clear about how long the caravan can stay on the pitch and what happens when the agreement ends, including removal and its costs. It also says parks should allow a reasonable time to arrange removal and make a reasonable charge for it.

What Industry Guidance Says

Many parks belong to the National Caravan Council (NCC), which publishes best practice guidance for holiday parks.

The NCC's 2025 guidance says:

  • when you buy a new holiday caravan, the agreement period should be not less than 12 years from the date you bought it
  • during the agreement period, the park should not require you to remove the caravan solely on account of its age, or without reasonable cause set out in your agreement
  • once the agreement period ends, there's no obligation on either side to agree a new licence, and if a new one isn't offered you'd normally be asked to remove the caravan within 30 days of written notice
  • removal procedures should be clearly stated, with written quotations and reasonable charges for de-siting, and pro-rata refunds of prepaid charges

So the key question is often: is your agreement period actually over?

You may also come across older guidance from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT734). It suggested that terms ending a licence should focus on a caravan's condition rather than its age, and that parks introducing age limits that weren't in the original agreement could be open to challenge. That guidance was withdrawn in 2017 and has been replaced by the CMA's general guidance under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, so treat it as background rather than current law.

If you think the park is applying a rule that isn't in your agreement, or ending it early, take independent legal advice before you agree to anything.

Ask for It in Writing

A conversation on the park isn't enough.

Ask the park to confirm in writing:

"Can you please confirm the clause in my licence agreement that requires my caravan to be removed, the date it must be removed by, and any charges that will apply?"

And if you're thinking of selling it off the park:

"Can you please confirm what charges apply if I sell my caravan to an outside buyer and it is permanently removed from the park?"

That gives you something concrete to work with.

Is There Room to Negotiate?

Sometimes there is.

If your caravan is in good condition, it's worth asking whether the park would consider:

  • an extension for a season or more, subject to an inspection
  • carrying out specific repairs or a refurbishment to keep it on the pitch

Some parks do offer extensions on well-kept caravans. Others won't. It doesn't hurt to ask, and again, get any answer in writing.

Your Options

If the caravan does have to go, you usually have three main routes.

Upgrade or part-exchange with the park. This keeps you on the park you know, and it's simple. But make sure you know what you're being offered for your old caravan, separately from the price of the new one. A big "discount" on a new caravan can hide a low figure for yours. Our post My Holiday Park Has Offered to Buy My Static Caravan – Is It a Fair Price? explains what to look for.

Sell on-site before the deadline. If there's time left on your agreement, you may be able to sell to another owner on the pitch. Check how much time a buyer would get, because a caravan close to its limit is harder to sell on-site, and the park may charge commission.

Sell off-site to a trader. A trader such as Static Trader buys the caravan itself and arranges for it to be collected from the park. An older caravan that a park no longer wants can still have value off-site, depending on its age, condition, size and demand at the time. We explain how off-site values work in What Is My Caravan Really Worth? and How Much Is My Static Caravan Worth in 2026?

Some owners also look at moving the caravan to another park with a longer age limit, or onto private land. If you're thinking about land, read Can I Put a Static Caravan on My Land? first, as planning, access and transport all need thinking about.

Don't Leave It to the Last Minute

This is where owners can lose out.

If you wait until the last few weeks, you may have:

  • less time to compare offers
  • fewer buyers able to collect in time
  • removal or storage charges if the caravan is still there after the deadline
  • another round of site fees to consider

The NCC guidance says the agreement should spell out the costs and consequences of not removing a caravan after termination, so check yours.

As soon as you know a deadline is coming, find out what the caravan is worth. Even if you end up part-exchanging, you'll know whether the park's offer is fair.

If your site fees are also due, our post Site Fees Going Up: Should I Sell My Static Caravan? may help you weigh things up.

Been Told Your Caravan Has to Go?

Asking for a valuation doesn't commit you to anything.

Send Static Trader:

Make • Model • Year • Size • Location • Photos • Park name

and tell us what the park has said, including any removal date.

We buy static caravans from parks across the UK and arrange collection, and we're used to working to park deadlines.

Get a free valuation, call us on 01797 222 333, text or WhatsApp 07851 998398, or email enquiries@statictrader.com.

Whatever you decide, you'll be making the decision with real numbers in front of you.