A home maintenance log records, for each thing you look after, what was done, when, by whom, what it cost and when it is next due. Keep one entry per item, such as boiler, roof, car or smoke alarms, attach receipts and photos, and set a reminder for the next date. Tend does this on iPhone: each record holds its history, costs, photos and due dates, reminds you before a date arrives, and syncs privately through your own iCloud.
What to record each time
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| What was done | Annual boiler service |
| Date | 14 March |
| Who did it | Company name and phone number |
| Cost | Amount paid |
| Evidence | Photo of the invoice or certificate |
| Notes | "Pressure valve to watch; replace within two years" |
| Next due | March next year |
The note and the next-due date are what turn a pile of receipts into something useful.
What is worth tracking
- Heating and hot water: boiler or furnace, water heater, heat pump
- Safety: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguisher, electrical and gas checks
- Building: roof, gutters, chimney, exterior paint, damp-proofing
- Water: stop tap location, filters, water softener, septic tank
- Appliances: washing machine, fridge, oven, dishwasher, with warranty dates
- Vehicles: service, inspection, tyres, insurance and tax renewal
- Garden: mower service, tree work, fence treatment
Vehicles have their own guide: the family car maintenance log. Warranties and belongings are covered in the home inventory and warranty guide.
A seasonal schedule to start from
| When | Typical jobs |
|---|---|
| Monthly | Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; check under sinks for leaks |
| Spring | Clear gutters, check the roof from the ground, service the mower, check exterior paint and seals |
| Summer | Service air conditioning, treat fences and decking, check for pests |
| Autumn | Service the boiler or furnace, bleed radiators, clear gutters again, sweep the chimney |
| Winter | Protect outside taps and pipes, check insulation and draughts, test the stop tap |
| Yearly | Review insurance, check appliance warranties, replace alarm batteries where needed |
Intervals depend on your home, climate and equipment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and any legal or insurance requirements where you live. The free home maintenance calendar builder makes a schedule for your own house, and there is a starter checklist for new homeowners.
New to the house?
In the first month, find and photograph the stop tap, the fuse box and the gas shut-off. Ask the seller or landlord for service records and manuals. Create a record for each major system with whatever dates you can establish, and book anything with no known history. A log started on moving day is worth far more than one reconstructed five years later.
How Tend keeps the log
- A record for each thing, grouped as appliances, vehicles, pets, health, finance and subscriptions, each with its history of events, photos, costs, due dates and notes.
- Inbox capture. Type a quick note or take a photo the moment something happens. With Tend+, say "boiler needs a service in March" and it is filed to the right record.
- Reminders before due dates: a week before, the day before and on the morning.
- An activity timeline across the whole household, showing who did what.
- Sharing with a partner or family through iCloud. See sharing home maintenance as a couple.
Tend has no servers and no accounts. Records live on your device and sync through your own iCloud. You can invite a partner or family member to share through iCloud. There are no analytics or third-party tracking SDKs.
Why the history pays off
- Selling: buyers and surveyors ask for service records.
- Insurance and warranty claims: proof of maintenance is often a condition.
- Tradespeople: "it was last done in 2023 by this firm" saves a diagnostic visit.
- Budgeting: a year of costs shows what the house really takes to run.
What Tend does not do
- It does not know your appliance's service schedule. You enter due dates from the manual, your installer or your insurer.
- It is not an insurance or valuation tool. It keeps the records an insurer may ask for; it does not value items or file claims.
- Apple devices and iCloud only. Sharing needs the other person to use iCloud too.
- The free plan holds 10 records. A full household usually needs more.
Free and Tend+
Tend is free to download for iPhone with up to 10 home records, inbox capture by text and photo, the activity timeline, shared lists, and due dates with reminders. Tend+ removes the record limit and adds voice capture with automatic filing, proactive nudges before due dates and Family Sharing for up to six people. The App Store shows current prices.
Common questions
Is Tend free?
Yes, for up to 10 records. Tend+ removes the limit.
Where is my data stored?
On your device and in your own iCloud. Tend has no servers.
Can my partner see the same records?
Yes, by sharing through iCloud.
Does it remind me before something is due?
Yes: a week before, the day before and on the morning.
Can I attach receipts?
Yes. Records hold photos, costs and notes.
Start the log with the next thing you service: Get Tend free.