Best way to compile documents for sending to Home Office?

[Thelugi]

Hello,
I am currently in the process of applying for an EEA Permanent Residence certificate and have been following various threads around this forum for advice and tips.

Today I have a question about how best to compile, package and send all the required documents and evidence to the Home Office. I have found and heard a few tips on how NOT to do it, but, is there a preferred method of compilation of the documents by the immigration officers that go through our paperwork?

Would love you hear people’s experience/thoughts.
Thanks!!

[GMB]

I just did mine in May, got the PR card in Sep. I rubber-banded documents together based on what section of the form they applied to, then put a cover sheet on each pile stating which section it was for, and what was contained in it. For instance:
Section 5, Proof of Residency in the UK
- Council tax bills, 2012-2017 (for applicant & EEA sponsor)
- Barclays bank statements, 2012-2017 (for applicant)
- Thames Water bills, 2012-2017 (for EEA sponsor)
- and so on...

I also labelled each group of related documents in case they got separated from the rest of the application; I didn't want him/her trying to guess what they were for. So in the example of the Barclays bank statements, the front one of the stack had a label with my name, what it was, and what section it was part of.

I tried to avoid stapling as much as possible, using paper clips or document clips to keep bigger groups of related documents together. I figured staples are hard to remove, but clips are easy. Small items (current residence card, current and old passports) I put in a plastic document sleeve with a label on that as well.

[Thelugi]

Thank you for your response, GMB.

I had heard that staples are a big no-no. At some point someone also told me to avoid paperclips (can't remember the reason why).
I think the rubber band is a great idea, and I've got an A5 transparent zipper bag for passport and other cards.
Thanks again!