diff --git a/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml b/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml
index 5cf82ef1..50e84302 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml
@@ -86,6 +86,14 @@ matrix_synapse_form_secret: "{{ matrix_synapse_macaroon_secret_key }}"
 
 matrix_synapse_max_upload_size_mb: 50
 
+# Controls whether local media should be removed under certain conditions, typically for the purpose of saving space.
+# should be empty to disable
+matrix_synapse_media_retention_local_media_lifetime:
+# Controls whether remote media cache (media that is downloaded from other homeservers)
+# should be removed under certain conditions, typically for the purpose of saving space.
+# should be empty to disable
+matrix_synapse_media_retention_remote_media_lifetime:
+
 # The tmpfs at /tmp needs to be large enough to handle multiple concurrent file uploads.
 matrix_synapse_tmp_directory_size_mb: "{{ matrix_synapse_max_upload_size_mb * 50 }}"
 
diff --git a/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2 b/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
index d9a2974f..d1f13407 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
+++ b/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
@@ -1048,6 +1048,14 @@ media_store_path: "/matrix-media-store-parent/{{ matrix_synapse_media_store_dire
 #
 max_upload_size: "{{ matrix_synapse_max_upload_size_mb }}M"
 
+media_retention:
+{% if matrix_synapse_media_retention_local_media_lifetime|length > 0 %}
+  local_media_lifetime: {{ matrix_synapse_media_retention_local_media_lifetime|to_json }}
+{% endif %}
+{% if matrix_synapse_media_retention_remote_media_lifetime|length > 0 %}
+  remote_media_lifetime: {{ matrix_synapse_media_retention_remote_media_lifetime|to_json }}
+{% endif %}
+
 # Maximum number of pixels that will be thumbnailed
 #
 #max_image_pixels: 32M