Thread: How long should I keep a copy of my lease?

So I'm going through old paperwork, spring cleaning in summer I suppose, and I've come across a lease I signed in 2007. Is it safe to send it to the recycle bin now? Or is there some reason we should keep copies of all our leases even after everything has been settled and the contract has expired?

Unless its a business lease you can chuck it as soon as it expires.

Keep it until AFTER you move out.

You can safely chuck it.

You keep a copy of your lease for one year UNTIL you acquire the new lease. then chuck the old.

If its a point to prove your address at that particular residence for many years for some reason. There other ways of finding documentary. The post office will have that information.

7 yrs, for all paperwork......but if you are sure you won't ever need it again,
toss it now
[6 yrs is statute of limitations for most things, 3 for others]

7-10 years. The statute of limitations only applies for 7 years (in most cases), but when I was trying to get my mortgage, and again when I applied for a loan later they wanted proof of payment and a lease from my prior landlord.....and it was heck to get it after a long time lapse.

Unless you have a ton of paperwork, keep it in a box of "old stuff I might need".

Keep your lease filed in a safe place for at least a year or so. Although there is usually no sense in keeping them after your lease has expired, I prefer to have them available on the off chance th landlord tries to pull something at a later date. Better safe than sorry.