YOUR HOME · CANADA & U.S.

Home documents and warranties: what to keep

Warranties fail for one reason more than any other: nobody can find the receipt. Here is what to keep, how long to keep it, and how to store it so a broken appliance costs you a phone call instead of a replacement.

Last reviewed 23 September 2026.

What to keep

The lease or the deed and closing papers. Insurance policies and their declaration pages. Utility account details. Appliance manuals, receipts and serial numbers. Service and repair records. Permits and inspection certificates. Any contract with a tradesperson, plus their invoices and guarantees.

Also keep the condition report and photographs from the day you moved in, the inventory if you rent furnished, and correspondence with your landlord or builder about anything unresolved.

How long to keep it

Keep warranty paperwork for the life of the warranty. Keep receipts for major purchases as long as you own the item. Keep home improvement records for as long as you own the home, and for a while after you sell it.

Keep anything that supports a tax filing for the retention period your tax authority sets — this is longer than most people assume, and it is the one category where guessing costs money.

Serial numbers are the real key

Model and serial numbers identify your exact unit, and manufacturers ask for them before anything else. They are usually on a sticker: inside the fridge door, behind the washing machine, under the microwave, on the furnace casing, on the outdoor unit of an air conditioner.

Photograph the sticker the day the appliance arrives. It takes ten seconds and saves pulling a heavy machine out from a wall years later.

Storing it so you can actually find it

One folder per thing, not one folder per year. A washing machine's receipt, manual, warranty and repair history belong together, because that is how you will look for them.

Keep a digital copy of anything irreplaceable, and keep it somewhere that is not only your phone. In HAUSINE, records attach to the item, the room or the vehicle they belong to, so a warranty is one tap from the appliance itself rather than lost in a downloads folder.

Making a claim without a fight

Contact the manufacturer before anyone else touches the item; an unauthorised repair can end the warranty. Have the model number, serial number, purchase date and a description of the fault ready, and take a photo or short video of the problem.

Write down who you spoke to and when. If the first answer is no, ask which clause of the warranty they are relying on — it is a fair question, and it often changes the answer.

Common questions

How long should I keep household receipts?

Keep receipts for anything under warranty for as long as the warranty runs, plus a few months. Keep receipts for major purchases and home improvements for as long as you own the home. Keep anything that supports a tax return for the period your tax authority requires.

Do I need the original paper receipt for a warranty claim?

Usually a clear photograph or a PDF is accepted, and many manufacturers only ask for the date and place of purchase plus the model and serial number. Keep the digital copy regardless; thermal receipts fade to blank within a year or two.

What does a manufacturer's warranty actually cover?

Normally defects in materials or workmanship for a set period, with parts and labour sometimes covered for different lengths of time. It generally does not cover accidental damage, misuse, normal wear, or a fault caused by an unauthorised repair. Read the exclusions before you pay anyone to look at the item.

Is an extended warranty worth buying?

Sometimes, rarely for cheap items. Check first what the manufacturer already gives you, what your credit card adds automatically, and what your home insurance covers. Then compare the price of the plan with the cost of simply replacing the item.

Official sources

Record-keeping periods for tax purposes are set by your tax authority and can be longer than the general advice here. Check the links below for your own situation.