Forum Topic

How long do people keep domestic bills?

Im having a massive clear out and found that I had gas bills going back to 2001!  Im wondering for how long I should keep household bills (as opposed to business stuff which is different)?  What do other people do please?

Barbara Yerolemou ● 5869d13 Comments

I would have thought two or three years plenty - but that's just theory. In practice of course I have them going back even further.Have thrown out five boxes of books and almost all our old maps plus some really revolting ornaments this week though.

Sara Nathan ● 5869d

Barbara it's nice to hear from you again. Unless I had a problem with the bill itslelf that I wanted to quiry with the provider, then I just used to keep a month or two before ripping it and putting it in the bin.However, if you want to know how much the cost of living has been rising over the years, you should do what John does: when we get a bill it gets scanned, put in the computer and then straight into the shredder for recycling. This way he still keep a record of it but without the clutter of having filing cabinets or boxes full of old bills. Hope this is helpful.Rosa

Rosa Popham ● 5869d

Thanks Rosa but I cant be bothered with scanning.Sara, what do you do with books you dont want?so, so far I have a range of three years to two months - Hmm

Barbara Yerolemou ● 5869d

Legally I think that seven years is the accepted norm for keeping financial information as that is the longest that you can "claw back" money on an unpaid debt, after seven years it becomes impossible. Nine years is completely safe and it used to be nine years though now seven years is common practice. For libel purposes records used to be kept for five years though this has now gone down to three for practical purposes.

Mark Maytree ● 5869d

My keeing depends on the value of the item.It was fascianting. after the death of my father. to find bills for furniture going back to their marriage in 1944.

Graham Weeks ● 5868d

Six boxes of books to Oxfam bookshop in Ealing this week. Poor woman there in total shock but I did ring and ask beforehand - just didn't quite specify how many...

Sara Nathan ● 5868d

Mark - so its only if I am owed I need to keep evidence otherwise two or three years is sufficient?Graham - yes agree that information is fascinating.  Do you still have some of that furniture?Sarah - I only have two boxes....... thigh high tho'!  I was thinking of Oxfam too but how did you carry boxes there?I have started a new household law - one thing in, one thing out be it clothes, books, anything!  It's horrifying how items accumulate, overwhelming in fact.

Barbara Yerolemou ● 5868d

No, its not just of what you are owed; the Inland Revenue can demand (and usually do) ask for seven years bank statements, bills etc., if they are investigating you for tax and vat purposes. My advice is keep EVERYTHING financial for seven years, everything else for three (texts of speeches made, diaries and notes of meetings etc. etc.).

Mark Maytree ● 5868d

ah I understand.  Yes bank statements I keep but as I pay practically everything by direct debit or credit card, it all shows up on the bank statements ergo do I have to keep the invoices etc?  I am thinking of keeping for 3 years just so that I have an average of my usage which I may need, to query an excessive bill, say.  What do you think of that Mark?  As I keep a daily journal, I keep those; speeches are on my computer but notes of meetings have been happily and merrily burnt - good riddance, ta ta!

Barbara Yerolemou ● 5868d

We have some and so does my eldest son. But my prize from my parents is Thompson of Kilburn, the Mouse Man's work, bookends, stool and ash tray.

Graham Weeks ● 5867d

Unfortunately all it takes is a computer glitch or a malicious person and there is trouble. Look at the building society/bank that undercharged its clients for years: it is always best to keep invoice and bills for seven years. Or that guttering that you had put up six years turns out to have flooded the cavity wall and you now have dry rot so you want to take action against the builder. Likewise libel laws mean that action can be taken up to three years in retrospect so all it can take is one "off-th-cuff" remark to a third-person or at a committee meeting and someone may remember it a couple of years later and decide to do something about it. Three years was what I was taught when I was a journalist.Civil disputes can be very expensive. Be careful!

Mark Maytree ● 5866d

Car and any two people - one to drive and one to hop out with boxes..it's definitely unloading.

Sara Nathan ● 5866d

Thank you all.  Mark thanks for your goood advice and explanations.  As I am happy to hoard and have a good system for bills etc.  I shall follow your advice and keep for 7 years.  Can't do anything now about the notes of meetings - I did enjoy the bonfire though!

Barbara Yerolemou ● 5866d