Home maintenance record: what to keep and how
Last reviewed 6 October 2026
The short answer
A home maintenance record is a running log of what has been done to your home and what is installed in it: repairs, servicing, upgrades, the paperwork that goes with them, who did the work and the dates. Keep it as you go, in one place, and it saves time on every repair and gives a buyer or the next owner a clear history.
What to record
| Record | What to note | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and servicing | What was done, the date and who did it | Annual boiler service, gutters cleared |
| Repairs | The problem, the fix, the date, the cost | Replaced a leaking tap, repaired roof flashing |
| Upgrades and improvements | What changed, when, who carried it out and any certificate | New windows, rewired kitchen, loft insulation |
| Rooms and items | Which room or item the work applies to, with make, model and serial number for equipment | Boiler in the utility, oven in the kitchen |
| Providers | Contact details of the tradespeople who have worked on the house | The plumber who did the bathroom |
| Important dates | Installation dates, warranty ends, next service dates | Boiler installed, warranty ends, service due |
You do not need to record everything. Start with the things that are expensive, safety-related or tedious to rediscover: heating, electrics, the roof, windows, major appliances and anything with a warranty.
Documents, warranties and manuals
The paperwork is often more valuable than the note. Keep:
- invoices and receipts for work done
- certificates and completion paperwork for regulated work, such as electrical or gas work, or building regulation sign-offs where relevant
- warranties and guarantees, with the end date written down
- manuals and installation guides for the boiler, appliances and fittings
- photos of work in progress, especially anything later hidden behind plaster or flooring
Link each document to the room or item it concerns. A manual in a general folder is easy to lose; a manual attached to the boiler is not. For regular jobs such as a boiler service, put the next date on the calendar or in a schedule; the guide to creating a maintenance schedule shows how.
How to keep it up
- Record at the time: a two-line entry now beats a half-remembered one next year.
- Photograph the invoice or certificate before it fades or goes missing.
- Add the date, even if it is approximate, and note that it is approximate.
- Review once a year: check what is coming up, and add anything you missed.
If you sell or hand over
A good record lets a buyer, a surveyor or the next owner see what has been done and where the paperwork is. It does not replace any legal paperwork required in a sale, which your solicitor or conveyancer will advise on. If you also let a property, our guide to landlord records covers what that needs.
Related guides
- How to create a property maintenance schedule
A step-by-step method for a schedule you can keep up: items, frequencies, due dates, history and overdue work.
- What records should a landlord keep for a rental property?
Practical landlord records, the legal duties that may apply, and how the four UK nations differ.
This guide is general information about keeping records. It is not legal, safety or technical advice. MyPropertyRecord stores the records and dates you enter; it does not check or determine whether a property meets any legal requirement.