How Long Should You Keep Documents and Paperwork?

Keeping on top of household paperwork and life administration seems like a dull chore, but setting up an efficient system saves time and hassle in the long run. If your home is slowly becoming overrun by paperwork, this post will show you what you need to keep, what you can get rid of, and how you can store your documents more effectively in Warwick.

Documents to keep forever

There are certain documents you need to keep forever. All of these documents should be kept in a secure file or box so you know exactly where they are.

• Marriage, birth, and death certificates.
• Wills
• House deeds
• Adoption records

All of these are important documents that are difficult to replace. We suggest storing these in a secure box at our storage facility to keep them safe. In the unfortunate event you have a fire or flood in your home, the last thing you want to worry about are documents getting destroyed.

Other important files you should keep forever include:

• Life insurance records – this should include a record of beneficiaries and policy details.
• Your car’s V5C logbook – this needs to be passed on to a new owner if you decide to sell.
• Pension records – you could end up missing out on certain benefits if you don’t have a full record. This will need to be updated if your marital status changes.
• Medical records – this includes your NHS number, medical exemption documentation, childrens’ health records, vaccination records, and any important hospital documentation.
• Pet vaccination record – this will be regularly updated every time your pet gets a new vaccine.

Documents to keep for their lifetime

There are also important documents that you should keep safe until they expire or need to be renewed.

• Passports or travel documents
• Driving licence (paper-only licences issues before 1998 are still valid)
• Vehicle documentation – this includes an MOT and service history, insurance information, and road tax information.
• Rental agreement – this will be essential if you have a dispute with your landlord.
• Warranties – if anything breaks down, you’ll need proof of the warranty taken out.
• Utilities and policies – this will need to be updated often but it’s important to have a record while they are in date.

Documents to keep for two years

The only documents you need to keep for two years are tax records if you’re an employee. This includes your P60, coding notices from HMRC, and proof of interest paid on bank accounts.

If you’re self-employed, you need to keep a record of your tax documents for five years.

Documents to keep for one year

Some documents can be kept for one year and then shredded, these include:

• Monthly or weekly payslips
• Utility bills
• TV licence

You may need a record of these if you decide to buy a home, take out a loan, or need proof of address, so keep them safe for one year before shredding.

Where to store your documents in Warwick

At Ark Storage, we provide safe, affordable document storage for homeowners in Warwick and the surrounding areas. We are conveniently located and all of our containers are self-accessible, so you have access to your documents whenever you need them.

Declutter your home and take advantage of our document storage today:  01789 740 688