What is needed for an ILR?

I'm not applying for my ILR for another 18 months. However, since there have been two cases recently, one here and one on the "other" forum about ILR denied, I am curious to hear of others experiences or what you are collecting as "proof". Up until now, I had (stupidly) assumed the ILR was a slam/dunk.
While I don't have a bank account in the UK, my husband and I do have joint credit cards. I am on the house deed, but not the mortgage. I am the beneficiary in his will and on his life insurance. I have my NHS number and am regisered at our local surgery. We have letters, photos, receipts. I would welcome any suggestions or advice any may have.
I guess I just want to be prepared and not have any surprises when the time comes.

Nice thread!

To help out I can add that the rules for a spouse to convert to ILR after the two year probationary period come from 4 different places and I'll list them here.

1.  The main body of rules for conversion from a spousal visa to ILR is in paragraph 287 of HC 395.  This was set forth in 1994 and appended in 2000 and 2002 for bereavement and violence respectively.

2.  The next bit, about accommodation, is spelled out in CM3365, which was in 1997.

3.  Two misc rules which I don't know the dates for:  a.  the sponsoring spouse must confirm that he/she intends to live together permanently; and b. the sponsoring spouse must be in the UK at the time the app is submitted.

4.  Decisions from the IAT which have had the effect of interpreting the exact wording HC 395 in specific areas like whether or not "...maintain themselves without recourse..." means the couple alone or if family can be included (they can).  These have all different dates, but the recent ones are more interesting.

1 & 2 are on the internet; and 4 is only published publically for the cases they deem "reportable".

Hope that helps!

Thanks, Garry. Perhaps what the denials that I've referred to in my original post are just a climate of the current politics? I'm certainly going to be saving every scrap of mail that comes my way. I had not really cared about a UK bank account, but we are going to actively pursue that now.
Bethany

Here's what I've been saving:

bank statements (from UK and US accounts)
credit card bills (my name only)
mail order account statements (my name only)
any "official" mail I've gotten (stuff from the NHS, stuff regarding my NIN, vet bills, letters from work, etc.)

Also, my name is on the council tax bill and the lease for our current house and our last apartment...I think it might also be on the water bill...

We'll just add stuff w/ DH's name on it when I apply -- he saves EVERYTHING, so that won't be a problem.

Basically, if it looks halfway official and has my name and address on it, I've been saving it!   

Thanks, Garry. Perhaps what the denials that I've referred to in my original post are just a climate of the current politics? I'm certainly going to be saving every scrap of mail that comes my way. I had not really cared about a UK bank account, but we are going to actively purse that now.

Of course this sounds crazy, but some visa national forums are recommending additionally saving the envelopes.  It's because sometimes they challenge and at least with the envelope you can show it was postmarked in the UK and dated the same as the letter. 

The envelope business has been standard procedure in visa national countries for some time now, for fiances and spousals.  ECO's want to see them - even the Valentine's Day card  .  So visa nationals are accustomed to it, but it's the first I've heard of it for someone going for ILR.  And in a perverse way, it makes sense that the letter would be accompanied by the postmark and envelope stationery.  For someone from the US, it would never even cross their mind to save the envelopes!

As I said, it's lunacy.  And I hope that nobody panics because I've never heard of a non-visa national being challenged.  Ever.  But for someone like atlcollie, with 18 months of prep-time, hey?  Why not?

We had a few bills but in our names jointly.  The water and electricity are in both names.  We used that as part of our proof -- if memory serves.

I'm probably worrying needlessly, but my situation is a bit different than most. I still work part time in the US (for a US based airline) so I go back and forth almost every month. Consequently, I don't have a NIN number. I'm still paid in the US into my US bank account.
Next week, we are going to talk to my husband's bank about getting me on the account. I've heard about so many hassles about getting added, I just never wanted to fool with it. But if it makes me appear more ILR-Worthy, then we'll brace ourselves and give it a shot.
I'm not on the council tax bill as the council determined since I still worked (albeit part time) in the US, they considered me a part time resident of the house and awarded my husband single status on that bill.
Good advice about the envelopes. I'm saving things like invoices from Amazon, that show I paid for items and they were delivered to me at our UK address.
As I said in my original post, I never thought much about it, I just assumed I would slide into the ILR with no trouble. I do know the woman on the other board is going to have to pay ANOTHER fee and reapply. I wouldn't fancy doing that, especially as the fees are increasing so much.

Now I received my ILR in 2000, so you may have to take what I say with a grain of salt.  I just pulled out my Immigration folder and oddly enough, I still have my documents together that I submitted as proof the marriage exists.  In no particular order and all in dual names:

1. British Gas bill
2. Three Valleys Water
3. Eastern Energy bill
4. Rental Agreement
5. District Council bill
6. Joint bank account statements from 25/3/1999-2/2/2000

Oddly enough, each of these documents (except bank statements) were dated mere months before I applied for ILR.  Then again, this was also back in the days where LLR was one year, then you applied for ILR.

Try to get your name on as many bills/accounts as possible, then save each of them.  With 18 months to go, you have plenty of time to save evidence.

I'd be curious as to what Garry thinks, but reading these threads it seems like we anecdotally hearing about a tightening up of policies in the last few months. It's third-hand and impressionistic, but it certainly comes off that way to a neutral observer of threads. G. you're more in the trenches. Do you sense a shift in the last 100 days?

G. you're more in the trenches. Do you sense a shift in the last 100 days?

Nada.  Total de Nada.

And I have checked inside also with reliable contacts.  The answer is Nada.

Yes, there's a general election to be announced on 4 April, but it's way too late for a polical thing in the offing.  And I *promise* that the Tory party is not making pressure in this area.  Promise. 

It's just a weird coinky-dink by all reckonings at this point...

Save envelopes.  Christ, what next?

I'd be curious as to what Garry thinks, but reading these threads it seems like we anecdotally hearing about a tightening up of policies in the last few months. It's third-hand and impressionistic, but it certainly comes off that way to a neutral observer of threads. G. you're more in the trenches. Do you sense a shift in the last 100 days?

Well, the first I heard about it was Peedal's experience (thread in Grievences). A few days later, someone on the "other" board wrote of being turned down. Married, lives & works in the UK and they said that while she had lots of evidence for her second year she did not have enough for the first year and was told that the home office did not "tolerate sham marriages". They informed her that while her documentation for 2004 was sufficient, her 2003 was lacking & there was not enough evidence to prove the marriage existed in 2003. She now has to reapply and pay again.
It will be interesting to hear what happens in Peedal's case when she returns. BTW, these did not occur at the same office.

Hopefully the pic i submitted for my passport renewal they accept and i get it back soon as i'm applying for my ilr Form (M).
wanted to know if anyone can help with this
what exactly do i need to submit and what should i expect.
any help and advice is greatly appreaciated
thanks