What documents should you keep for your home?

Home information is most useful when it can be found quickly and understood in context. A complete record helps with maintenance, insurance, improvements and a future sale. Keep secure originals where required and create organised digital copies for everyday reference.

Purchase and ownership documents

• Title, conveyancing and mortgage information supplied by your solicitor or lender.
• The property survey and any specialist reports.
• The Energy Performance Certificate.
• Property searches, guarantees or certificates received during purchase.
• Insurance policy documents and a current contents inventory.

Planning and Building Control

• Planning applications, decisions and approved drawings.
• Evidence that permitted development or another exemption applied, where obtained.
• Building Control certificates, drawings, calculations and completion documentation.
• Electrical, gas, oil, glazing, ventilation, insulation and other relevant installation certificates.

Systems and appliances

• Manuals, model and serial numbers, purchase receipts and warranties.
• Commissioning information and control settings.
• Service reports, test results and dates when maintenance is next due.
• Details of filters, consumables and compatible replacement parts.

Repairs and improvements

Keep quotations, contracts, invoices, specifications, photographs and guarantees. Photograph work before it is covered—such as pipe routes, wiring, insulation and structural components—without compromising site safety.

How should you organise the record?

If you choose to create your own record, keep a file system using consistent names and dates. Connect each document to the relevant room, system, appliance or project. Record who produced it and whether it expires or creates a future maintenance obligation. Back up digital records and protect documents containing personal or financial information.

What should pass to a future owner?

Your solicitor will advise what must be supplied during a sale. Beyond the formal requirements, clear manuals, servicing history, approvals and project records can help the next owner understand the home. Remove personal, financial and unrelated information before sharing anything.