What to do with appliance manuals and warranties when you move house
On this page
Appliance documents — manuals, warranty certificates, service records — are often left in kitchen drawers when a house changes hands, handed over in a carrier bag, or lost entirely. This causes problems: when the boiler breaks down six months after moving in, you discover there's no service history, no manual, and no record of when it was last serviced.
Here's how to handle appliance documents properly on both sides of a house move.
If you're buying
What to request before contracts are exchanged
The best time to ask for documents is during the conveyancing process — before you're committed and while you still have negotiating leverage. Ask your solicitor to request:
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Boiler manual | For settings, fault codes, and service requirements |
| Boiler service certificates | Shows the boiler has been annually serviced by a Gas Safe engineer |
| Manuals for all included appliances | Washing machine, dishwasher, oven, fridge, etc. |
| Warranties / guarantee documents | Any remaining manufacturer or extended warranty cover |
| Instruction manuals for heating/hot water controls | Smart thermostats and heating systems have specific setup requirements |
| FENSA certificates | For any replacement glazing installed since 2002 |
| Building Regulations completion certificates | For extensions, loft conversions, electrical work |
The boiler service history is the most important. Each annual Gas Safe service certificate shows the engineer's name, registration number, what was checked, and the result. A boiler with five years of annual service records is demonstrably different from one with none — and if there are no records, you should factor in the cost of a service and potential repairs.
On completion day
Ask the seller (through your solicitor if needed) to leave:
- All physical manuals in a clearly labelled folder.
- Any paper warranty documents or guarantees.
- Contact details for regular tradespeople if they used the same plumber or heating engineer.
What to do in the first week
- Locate each appliance's model and serial number — record these somewhere permanent. See how to find any appliance's model and serial number for all locations by appliance type.
- Photograph the serial number labels — a phone photo stored in cloud storage is sufficient.
- Download any missing manuals — search the manufacturer's website by model number. Most are available as free PDFs.
- Book a boiler service if there's no recent service history — don't wait.
- Check warranty status — contact manufacturers with the model and serial number to confirm if any warranty remains, and whether it can be transferred to your name.
If you're selling
What to gather before marketing
The documents you pass on reflect on you as a seller and can affect buyer confidence. Before your solicitor sends out the property information form (TA6):
- Locate all manuals for appliances you're leaving behind.
- Find all warranty documents (manufacturer and any extended warranty plans).
- Assemble the boiler's full service history — every Gas Safe certificate you have.
- Find building guarantees for any specialist work (damp proofing, roofing, timber treatment).
If you've lost documents, request duplicate Gas Safe certificates from the engineers who did the work (they keep records). Download missing manuals from manufacturer websites.
What to include in the handover pack
A simple handover pack at completion sets you apart from sellers who leave nothing:
| Item | Include |
|---|---|
| Appliance manuals folder | Clearly labelled by appliance |
| Boiler service certificates | In chronological order |
| Warranty documents | With expiry dates noted |
| Meter readings at completion | Helpful for the buyer's first bills |
| Bin collection days | Small but appreciated |
| Trades contact list | Plumber, electrician, heating engineer |
Setting up records in your new home
Whether you collected good documents from the previous owner or you're starting from nothing, the move-in moment is the best time to set up a system for your new home.
The simplest approach is one record per appliance, containing:
- Model number and serial number — found on a label on each appliance.
- Manual — physical or PDF link.
- Warranty status — what's covered and until when.
- Photograph of the serial number label — takes 30 seconds per appliance.
If you set this up in the first week, it takes about an hour. If you wait three years, you'll do it during a breakdown at 9pm on a Sunday.
JustTaggit lets you attach a QR code to each appliance and store all of this against it — scan the boiler, see the manual and service history. It's the appliance layer of a broader home records system.
For the broader picture of what documents to keep throughout the life of a property, see the UK homeowner's guide to home records. For the full moving-in checklist, see moving into a new home: the appliance and document checklist.
Start your home records right — one scan per appliance. Tag your first appliance free →
Frequently asked questions
Can I still find a manual if the previous owners didn't leave one?
Usually yes. Search '[appliance brand] [model number] manual' or go to the manufacturer's website — most UK manufacturers have a downloadable PDF library. The model number is on a label inside the door, at the back, or underneath the appliance. See how to find any appliance's model and serial number if you're stuck.
Do appliance warranties transfer when a house is sold?
Some do, most don't. Manufacturer warranties typically don't transfer — they're registered to the original buyer. Extended warranties and service plans sometimes do. Building guarantees (NHBC, damp proofing, roofing) generally transfer automatically. See our full guide to transferring warranties for details.
What should I do if the boiler has no service history?
Book a Gas Safe engineer to service it as soon as possible after moving in. This establishes your baseline record and lets the engineer flag any issues. Don't delay — an unserviced boiler is a safety and reliability risk.
Should I register appliances in my name after moving in?
For appliances included in the sale, it's worth contacting manufacturers to update the registration to your name where possible — some brands allow this, some don't. For new appliances you buy after moving in, always register them immediately.