Organizing the storage of documents at home is sooner or later required by any housewife. Over several decades of life, each person accumulates a large number of personal and household documents. When receipts, contracts, and birth certificates of children are dumped into one storage box, it is difficult to quickly find a small-sized ID card or SNILS. From time to time, everyone thinks about how to organize archive storage.
How to organize document storage at home
To store documents at home, you can use special shelves, drawers, and boxes. The capacity and appearance of the devices depend on the type and number of storage media. To organize the storage of documents, you need an accumulated archive:
- sort through;
- throw out what is irrelevant;
- sort the leftovers.
Folders for storing documents are purchased in advance. You will need several pieces for receipts, certificates, contracts.
To restore order, the contents of the storage facilities are placed in one pile and then carefully examined one paper at a time. Some letters and receipts have legal weight even after several decades. For example, correspondence with bailiffs stating that the ex-husband does not pay child support is saved. Such information can become an evidence base in the future.
You can easily get rid of:
- receipts from stores after the return period has expired;
- notifications from the tax office about the approaching deadline for submitting reports;
- receipts older than 3 years;
- outdated warranty cards and instructions.
How to store receipts, papers and documents: 3 steps to order
Do you keep losing birth certificates or warranty cards at the most inopportune moments? Are papers taking up too much space? Husband and children can never find their documents? Or maybe everything seems to be in order, but for some reason it’s inconvenient? Well, this is not surprising - many people tend to maintain order everywhere, but not in documents. It's so boring and dull!
However, if you know a few principles and tricks, organizing your papers won't be difficult. Moreover, order here can be restored once and almost forever. But what relief will the mere sight of neat folders with all these receipts, invoices, warranty cards and so on bring you?
So, let's begin.
Step 1. Collect ALL papers and documents in one place
Place all the papers and documents you have in the house in one place. Don’t forget about those papers that hang on the refrigerator and even about the instructions and warranties that are in the boxes of equipment. Everything collected must be laid out on the table or floor.
Attention! Let’s immediately make a reservation that our audit should not include postcards, children’s drawings, letters and other sentimental and semi-sentimental papers.
Why is it so important to collect all the papers in one place? The fact is that this whole pile will shock you, you will see with your own eyes how much space all these pieces of paper take up, you will feel how much time you spent moving them back and forth, searching for what you need.
- And now a spoiler: in the near future, only 3 beautiful daddies (or trays) will remain from this mountain, approximately as in the photo.
Step 2. Get rid of the excess and sort the rest. The main rule is to throw away almost everything!
Now that the whole bunch has been collected, there is nowhere to retreat. Let's take it one step further and get rid of everything unnecessary. From everything in the literal sense of the word. You only need to leave those papers and documents that fall into one of these categories:
- Currently relevant and requiring attention (invoices to be paid, forms to fill out, etc.);
- Necessary for a limited period of time (current year tax documents, warranties, utility bills, etc.);
- Things you need to keep forever (passports, contracts, mortgage documents, birth certificates, etc.).
Attention! At this stage, there is NO need to sort papers into topics like “household documentation”, “car documentation”, etc. This organizing principle will only increase the number of folders and make the system inconvenient.
Obviously, you should say goodbye to advertising brochures, expired warranty cards, instructions from equipment that you no longer have, and other rubbish without hesitation. Please also dispose of the following papers:
- Utility bills – they must be kept for 3 years. Anything that lasts longer can be safely thrown away;
- Operating instructions for all available equipment (if necessary, they can be easily found on the Internet);
- Notes and study materials (strictly speaking, if you have not learned the knowledge gained and have not applied it in practice so far, then most likely you do not need them. By the way, if you give yourself the instruction to throw away notebooks immediately after the courses, then the knowledge will be absorbed much better. However, records that really need to be preserved can be photographed or digitized and then stored in a virtual storage. But still try to be as critical as possible when revising this category of papers);
- Business cards;
- Magazine clippings.
Step 3. Organize storage
Place all 3 groups of documents and papers remaining after the audit into three folders. Important: Make sure that the “Documents Requiring Attention” folder is always as empty as possible. If it is full, it means that your business is not very productive.
- It is best to use plastic file folders or regular folders;
- The worst idea for storing papers is accordion folders;
- Folders should be signed so that your household always understands where everything is;
- There is no need to bother with maintaining warranties for electrical appliances. Just stack them and put them in a folder. They are used so rarely that, if necessary, you can spend 1-2 minutes searching for the required coupon.
Place all three folders in one place vertically. For example, you can put them in a magazine rack like in the photo below.
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Storage systems: drawer, folder, box or organizer
Organizing the storage of documents at home begins with determining the number of papers remaining after the inspection and their purpose. An entrepreneur who has registered an individual entrepreneur at his address, in addition to his personal archive, will have accumulated a lot of accounting reports and other specific information.
Work documents should be kept separate from personal ones. It is advisable to organize storage not only in different folders, but also in different drawers and cabinets.
Folders for storing documents at home must be signed and placed in a box for business papers. Markings are made on the spines.
The system for storing documents at home begins with classifying storage media by their type. You will have to buy storage folders for the following types of documents at home:
- studies (diplomas, certificates of completion of courses);
- work (work book, employment contract with the employer, certificates from the employment center, letters of gratitude);
- any documents of title to real estate, bank accounts (rent agreements, donations, purchase and sale agreements, certificate of inheritance);
- family (identity cards, national and foreign passports, SNILS, birth, marriage, divorce certificates).
- loans (agreements with credit institutions, debt repayment receipts, statements);
- purchases (receipts, warranty cards, instructions);
- utility bills (paid bills).
All that remains is to arrange the folders in boxes and drawers intended for storing documents at home. The choice of device depends on the financial capabilities and imagination of the archive owner. It could be:
- Large box for storing documents. Separators are installed between files installed in it.
- File folder. A large folder with already installed files can replace the box.
- An iron safe or box for storing documents will be useful for an entrepreneur who keeps financial reports and other important papers in his apartment.
- Case. A small suitcase with a key lock is suitable for transporting valuable documents.
In one of the rooms you can select a closet or chest of drawers, in which one or more shelves can be allocated for storing documents at home.
There are many options; you can watch the video for good ideas on how to organize document storage.
A fireproof iron box for storing documents and valuables at home, is relevant if it contains:
- papers confirming ownership;
- personal seals;
- large amounts of cash.
A folder for medical tests, books, and prescriptions should be allocated separately for each family member. This will speed up the search for the necessary documents and structure their storage.
Storage systems
When it comes to the issue of storage and order in the house, ideas are not very diverse. Usually, the owners allocate a drawer or shelf where the papers lie in a faceless mass, and you need to take out almost everything to find the one you need.
Simple and convenient Source kitchendecorium.ru
There are also exotic options in the form of a cardboard shoe box or an old briefcase. Many owners, having realized the importance of order in documentation, are moving to progressive methods, including:
- File folders. The leading option in simplicity, convenience and order, when each folder stores papers sorted by category. For ease of use, you can purchase folders of different colors and sizes.
- If there are a lot of papers, buy capacious folders on metal rings with a hard cover or large briefcase folders with compartments. Folders can be hidden in a bureau, placed on a shelf or on a desktop in a special box.
Recorder folders Source newstes.ru
- Particularly valuable paper documentation is hidden not only from prying eyes, but also from small and overly curious offspring. In this case, a reliable closet or safe will help; It is possible to rent a safe deposit box.
- Desktop waste basket. A practical, convenient and versatile solution with a variety of designs. If the papers need to be on the desktop, a transparent or perforated model is suitable.
For valuables and documents Source static-xiaoguotu.17house.com
- Organizer board. Also a good idea for storing current documentation, suitable for those who work at a desk; stickers and receipts will always be at hand. There are a variety of models on sale, from cork to magnetic, with all kinds of designs.
- Cardboard and plastic boxes. Needed if there are really a lot of documents. Choose models where folders can be stored vertically; Stacked folders are not the most practical way.
Organizer board Source i.pinimg.com
Convenient storage of documents in electronic form
Passports, marriage, divorce, and birth certificates must be scanned. If lost, it will be easier to restore them using printed copies. You can upload the information to a flash drive and duplicate it in a cloud storage, such as Yandex Disk, Google Drive or Dropbox. If the information storage device fails, the information will remain intact on the server.
The necessary instructions and warranty cards can be folded into one separate organizer for storing documents at home. Manuals that are rarely needed are converted into electronic form. To do this, you can create a text file in your laptop, and enter the full names and markings of all available household appliances there. You can scan or photograph some of the instructions.
Electronic storage of instructions is a convenient placement that saves space in your home.
Electronic storage methods allow you to save information on building materials and decorative finishes. At any time you can open the file and view information about the manufacturer, color name, collection:
- tiles;
- linoleum;
- upholstery fabric.
Scanned brochures and instructions are easy to read on the monitor. Manuals are usually printed in very small font. Photos can be enlarged to an easy-to-read size.
Most likely, there are already instructions on the Internet for your household appliances. Find it by model name. You don't have to take pictures and scan the instructions yourself.
How to conveniently store paper documents at home
Separately, you can create a folder where sheets with meter readings will be stored - for gas, water, electricity. Receipts for payment for services should be kept in folders. Considering that the statute of limitations for most documents is three years, there is no point in storing payments longer than this period. Although in legal practice there are examples when old receipts helped resolve the issue in favor of their owner. Therefore, you can store them longer, if you have space.
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All documents that record any payment must be kept for a long time. This is especially true for utility bills and payments for telephone, computer network, Internet and so on. The best option is to store these documents in separate folders by topic. You need to put a sticker on the folder and write on it - “Payments for utilities”, for example. The same should be done with other areas - payment for major repairs, telephone, Internet.
It is believed that the most reliable place in which to store important documents, family archives and valuables is a safe deposit box or depository, especially if you rent an apartment or live in a dormitory.
Methods of organization
To quickly find the document you need, you need to divide them into categories. Be sure to attach labels to each category, or use color coding. Paper information can be classified according to its purpose:
- medicine;
- Appliances;
- repair.
Fragmentation that is too fine will result in a clutter of folders that will make it difficult to find the help you need.
What document confirms ownership of the apartment?
Electronic and paper formats of statements have equal legal force. The authenticity of the paper medium is confirmed by the blue seal of the registrar, and the authenticity of the electronic counterpart is confirmed by the digital signature of the responsible person of the government agency.
Title documents
The transfer of ownership of an apartment, garage, house, land plot and any other real estate object is subject to state registration (Article 551 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). The title documents for the apartment have undergone changes over the past few years, starting in mid-2021.
In order to obtain a duplicate of the privatization agreement, you must contact one of the organizations indicated in the paragraph above with the application. In the application, indicate the requirement for the issuance of a duplicate of the document or a certified copy, as well as describe the documents that give you the right to demand this by law. Some institutions will require you to pay a state fee for issuing a document or a copy of an agreement; the amount of the fee may vary in each organization.
Immediately after concluding an agreement on the privatization of an apartment, a copy of it is transferred to Rosreestr for storage. And the second copy remains with the owner of the property. Based on this document, the owner of the apartment can freely dispose of the housing.
Where can I get the document?
At the same time, in the application it is important to indicate the reason for issuing a duplicate - loss of the original, and in addition, provide documents confirming your rights to the property. The application will also need to be accompanied by a receipt for payment of the state fee for issuing the document.
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When there is a criminal connotation in the case (for example, burglary), the application must indicate that you prohibit any operations with the missing papers without your presence. The sooner you do this, the less likely it is that scammers will be able to sell your apartment using a fake power of attorney.
Storing documents in the office
If you have a work office, then it is more convenient to organize the storage of documents in it. Desk drawers and shelving are a convenient way to store documents at home. Place only important papers in them or those that need quick access.
It is better to store key and significant work documents in a safe. Place it in your desk drawers or closet. Furniture panels must be opaque.
A box is suitable for storing non-essential documents. If the apartment has a separate office, you can buy special office furniture. On the shelves of the cabinets, labeled folders are arranged vertically in alphabetical order.
A box for storing a large number of documents at home is not the best option. Papers are placed in a stack. When you need to find something, you have to take out the entire contents and sort through them one by one. Such manipulations take a lot of time. Therefore, for medical brochures, prescriptions, certificates, you need to use a document organizer.
How should motorists store documents?
To store documents for a car, the best solution would be to purchase a car organizer. Available in different types and colors. It has many pockets and every document will be in its place. In small pockets you can insert business cards, as well as discount cards that relate to cars: repairs, gas stations, tow trucks and other information.
Organizer for storing documents in the car
Where to store?
A person takes out basic documents for a car (to drive a car) when he is going to go somewhere. Usually they are stored in a bag - a purse. Non-core documents, for example, a contract for the purchase and sale of a car, documents related to the car, for example, the purchase of wheels, car repairs should be placed in a transparent file, and then in a folder called “car”.
For cars, there is a special organizer for storing things on sale. You can put books, magazines, maps, a bottle of drinking water, children's accessories, and toys in it.
Car storage organizer
Other Document Organization Ways and Ideas
People who store a large number of different important documents can purchase:
- wooden or plastic box;
- paper racks;
- sorter;
- vertical trays;
- briefcase folder;
- case with a lock;
- stationery envelopes;
- folders with a zipper or a button.
There are several rules for conveniently organizing document storage at home:
- Place papers that you rarely use further;
- Create several large folders in which you group papers in one direction;
- Choose the right size storage tools. Small documents can be stored several times in one file;
- Try to transfer the document into electronic form as much as possible to free up space;
- Audit your document archive once or twice a year.
You can buy vertical racks and boxes for storing documents at home, or make them yourself from fiberboard, plywood, or buy them at a furniture store.
How to store notebooks?
For schoolchildren, students and teachers, documents are notebooks. On the working surface of the table you can install cardboard, plastic or wooden document storage (corner stand) and lay out notebooks. To prevent schoolchildren and students from getting confused in their notebooks, it is better to take different covers for each subject.
An example of organizing the storage of school notebooks
Folders, binders, transparent zip bags, document holders can be purchased at a bookstore, newsstand, or ordered in an online store.
Ready-made holder for storing school supplies
Choose the most optimal way to store documents at home and then you can always find all the documents and, in emergency cases, tell your family where they are.
Rules for storing documents at home
To ensure that your documents are always in order, review them regularly to ensure they are up to date. Get outdated quickly:
- Paid utility bills. This information is valid for three years;
- Annually renewable contracts.
It is convenient to make any payments online through your Sberbank personal account. If there are any misunderstandings with the rent, you can always find the required receipt in the history and print it out on paper. Money is also transferred for children’s meals at school, and monthly parental fees for preschool institutions are paid. The convenience is that the electronic form is stored for a long time on the bank’s official website, and does not gather dust in piles at home.
What to do and how to restore an apartment purchase and sale agreement if lost
Getting a contract is problematic. During this period, notarization was not required, and the law on compulsory state registration did not come into force. You can get a copy either from the second owner, and if that doesn’t work, ask for a BTI certificate about ownership of the property.
Where can I get a copy of the apartment purchase and sale agreement?
- passport;
- a copy of the purchase and sale agreement (if by chance it remains);
- other documents confirming that the apartment belongs to the recipient of the duplicate;
- power of attorney, if an attorney is involved in preparing the duplicate;
- When applying to Rosreestr or a notary, you must pay a state fee.
It is the loss of a property certificate that usually causes the greatest panic, especially among older people. For example, private realtor Svetlana Barchenkova had such a client: “An elderly woman with her husband, son and his wife lived in an apartment on Mira Avenue. It took the woman about 20 years to get to this apartment through numerous exchanges and travels, that is, the housing was hard-earned. And then one day a frightened grandmother calls me and says that her daughter-in-law stole the property certificate. The woman was sure that along with the document she had lost the right to the apartment.” The realtor tried to reassure the client, assuring that no transfer of ownership had occurred, all data about the real owner was stored at the Registration Chamber. The woman calmed down a little, but stated that a duplicate of the certificate needed to be made urgently. “I suggested that my grandmother wait, maybe the documents would be found, but she was adamant,” says Svetlana Barchenkova. – About a month later, when the duplicate was already ready, her son gave her a new TV. When the old one was removed from the table to be thrown away, the same evidence was found underneath it.”
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What to do if you have lost documents for an apartment
However, even papers received according to the old rules do not disappear without a trace - information about them can be found in the archives of the notary who conducted the business. In addition, a certificate from the BTI, which indicates the owner of the property, can help. The most difficulties, according to experts, arise when restoring the purchase and sale agreements that were concluded during the transition period, from 1996 to 1998 (notarial registration was abolished, and the above-mentioned law has not yet come into force). To re-receive the lost papers, you will have to take a copy from the other party to the transaction. It can also be difficult to find old documents confirming kinship. The most problems arise when searching for birth certificates issued during the Soviet era, especially if the desired territory now belongs to another state.
Certificate of ownership - how to get a duplicate
It is a little more difficult to restore the documents that are the basis for obtaining property. The situation is simplest with contracts concluded in simple written form (purchase and sale, donation, exchange): copies of these papers can be obtained from the archives of the same department of the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, and then notarized. Information about equity participation agreements and participation in privatization is also stored there. By the way, if the purchase and sale agreement was drawn up with the help of a notary, then a copy of the agreement can be obtained from him. It is also worth contacting the notary who handled the relevant case to obtain a lost certificate of inheritance.
To obtain a copy of such a document certified by a government agency, you need to contact the Rosreestr branch where the registration of rights under the lost agreement was carried out, fill out an application in the prescribed form, and present an identity card.
Restoring the purchase and sale agreement and other title documents drawn up after the entry into force of the law on state registration of rights (No. 122-FZ) should also not cause any particular difficulties for the owner, since when registering rights, one copy of the agreement remains with the registration authority and is stored in a special archive of files of title documents .
How to restore a certificate of ownership?
If the documents for the apartment were stolen, then it is possible that they intend to carry out illegal actions with the housing, including those related to the deprivation of property rights of the legal owner of the property.
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Citizens living in a state or municipal apartment under a social loan agreement can register this property as their own. Adults participate in this program only once, but children under 18 years of age can privatize an apartment twice - together with their parents before they reach adulthood and after, on their own.
Organizer board
An ideal solution for those who spend a lot of time at their desk and are therefore constantly concerned about finding a lost sticker or the right receipt.
The organizing board can be made in a variety of variations, from a frame to which notes are attached with buttons to multifunctional drawers and a magnetic board. It all depends on what is more convenient for you personally.