How long do I need to keep bills and receipts

GezB

My cupboard is clogged up with old bills and receipts! Could someone please tell how long I should keep old gas, phone and electricity bills and their receipts ? How long should I keep bank statements? And I have been told you need to keep council tax receipts for 20 years - is this correct?:j

lvf

A suggestion would be to keep them as long as possible, as you never know when you might need them. Just reading a few threads on here should show that people have just been sprung with revised bills from years ago, even up to 10-15 years.

My suggestion would be to get a folder/folders with dividers, and order the documents in chronological order or by utility. That way, should anything nasty ever happen, you are prepared.

matelodave

You can be chased for up to six years for outstanding bills. Banks are obliged to keep your records for six years and I believe HMRC recommend that you keep them for six years.


So six years