What documents should I keep when moving house?

Keep your insurance policies, recent receipts for major appliances, and any active service contracts. If you have digital copies, ensure they are backed up. If you have paper receipts, consider scanning them. Keeping these in one place helps you manage your household admin and makes it easier to track warranty dates for your items.

Should I leave appliance manuals for the new owners?

Yes, it is helpful to leave manuals for any appliances staying with the house, such as ovens or heat pumps. Place them in a kitchen drawer or a folder. This helps the new owners use the items correctly and maintain them properly, which is a kind gesture that makes the transition smoother for everyone involved.

How do I prove a purchase if I lose the receipt?

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you need proof of purchase to make a claim. If you lose a paper receipt, other records like bank statements or credit card records can sometimes serve as proof. Using an app like Hey Proofy to store digital copies of your receipts ensures you always have a clear record of your purchases.

4 min read · 3 November 2026

Moving house: the records worth taking with you

Moving house is the perfect time to sort your household admin. Learn which records to keep, how to hand over appliance details, and how to settle into your new home.

Written with AI and reviewed against sources. General information only, not legal advice.What that means

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Illustration for the guide "Moving house: the records worth taking with you"

Moving house is a busy time, but it is also the perfect opportunity to get your household admin in order. While you are packing boxes and booking movers, take a moment to think about the records worth taking with you. A moving house checklist is not just about furniture and boxes. It is about ensuring you have the information you need to manage your new home, claim on warranties, and keep your subscriptions up to date.

Keep your records safe

Before you start packing, gather your important documents. This includes insurance policies, current service contracts, and any recent receipts for major items. If you have been using Hey Proofy to store your receipts, you already have a digital record of your purchases. This makes it easy to track warranty dates and keep your bills in one list, no matter where you live. If you have paper documents, consider digitising them now so they are easy to search later.

What to leave behind

If you are leaving appliances behind, such as a heat pump, a built-in oven, or a security system, the new owners will appreciate having the manuals. Gather these together and leave them in a kitchen drawer or a clearly marked folder. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, goods must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. Providing the original manuals helps the new owners understand how to care for the items, which is a helpful gesture for anyone moving into a new space.

Managing your appliances

When you move, you might take some appliances with you. Before you unplug them, check if you have the original receipts or warranty information. A manufacturer's warranty is a separate agreement from your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. The Act provides protection that goods will be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and last a reasonable time given their price and type. Having your proof of purchase handy is essential if you ever need to make a claim.

Digital records for your move

If you are moving your own appliances, take a photo of the model and serial number plate before you pack them. This information is often hard to find once the item is installed in a new spot. You can upload these photos to Hey Proofy to keep them safe. If you need to find a manual later, having the exact model number makes the search much faster. You can also use the app to forward receipt emails, ensuring you do not lose track of your purchase history during the chaos of moving.

Update your subscriptions and bills

Moving house is the right time to audit your regular payments. Go through your list of subscriptions and utility bills to ensure your address is updated. If you have been tracking these in one place, it is much easier to see what needs to be cancelled or moved. Do not wait until you are in the new house to update your details, as you might miss important notices or bills.

What to do next

Create a digital folder or use https://heyproofy.com/nz to gather your receipts and warranty documents before you start packing.
Identify which appliances are staying and which are moving, and gather the manuals for each group.
Update your address with your utility providers and subscription services at least two weeks before your move date.

Quick answers

What documents should I keep when moving house?: Keep your insurance policies, recent receipts for major appliances, and any active service contracts. If you have digital copies, ensure they are backed up. If you have paper receipts, consider scanning them. Keeping these in one place helps you manage your household admin and makes it easier to track warranty dates for your items.
Should I leave appliance manuals for the new owners?: Yes, it is helpful to leave manuals for any appliances staying with the house, such as ovens or heat pumps. Place them in a kitchen drawer or a folder. This helps the new owners use the items correctly and maintain them properly, which is a kind gesture that makes the transition smoother for everyone involved.
How do I prove a purchase if I lose the receipt?: Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you need proof of purchase to make a claim. If you lose a paper receipt, other records like bank statements or credit card records can sometimes serve as proof. Using an app like Hey Proofy to store digital copies of your receipts ensures you always have a clear record of your purchases.

Sources

The official pages this guide was reviewed against. They are the authority, not us.

Consumer Guarantees Act 1993

Written with AI, reviewed against sources

An AI assistant wrote this guide, and it was reviewed against the official sources below on 3 November 2026. That review is not a legal check: it looks for anything those sources do not support, and takes it out. 3 claims were corrected or removed in that review.

What this guide is, and is not

Not legal or professional advice. No lawyer or adviser has signed it off, and it was not written about your own purchase.
Not a promise of an outcome. A claim, a refund or a repair can turn on facts no guide can see.
Not a substitute for the source. The official pages below, and the shop you bought from, are the authority on your rights.
Not permanently right. Consumer law, prices and product rules change after a guide is published, so check the date above and confirm anything you are about to rely on.

If money, a fault or a dispute is on the line, take it to the shop or to the consumer body named in the guide. We can help you find what you need, but we are not your adviser.