As part of the efforts to increase the reliability of the data held on Companies House, from 4 March 2024, there are new rules surrounding registered office addresses, registered email addresses and new lawful purpose statements.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act became law in October 2023. The rules discussed in more detail below are a few of the measures imposed by the Act, with the intention of improving the quality and accuracy of the data held by Companies House, with the aim of tackling economic crime.
Registered Office Address
Companies are now required to provide an appropriate address as the registered office address. An appropriate addressis defined by Companies House as an address which meets the following criteria:
- A physical address in the UK
- In the same country your company is registered in, for example a company registered in Scotland must have a registered office address in Scotland
- Any documents sent to the registered office should be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company
- Any documents sent to that address can be recorded by an acknowledgement of delivery
- A company can no longer use a PO box as their registered office, it must be a physical location
You can however still use a service provider’s address (for example, an accountant or solicitor) provided that address meets the conditions of an appropriate address.
The registered office address will be publicly available on Companies House.
Possible consequences for non-compliance
Failing to have an appropriate registered office address could result in a £1,000 fine, or lead to a company being struck off the register. If Companies House identify an inappropriate address, they will change it to a default address held at Companies House. The company must then provide an appropriate address within 28 days.
How to change the address on Companies House?
The registered address can be changed online via the Web-filing portal. If this is something that you would like us to help you with, please let us know and we will be happy to help.
Registered Email Address
All companies are now required to provide a registered email address to Companies House. However, unlike the registered office address, this email address will not be published on the public register. From 4 March 2024, new companies are required to give a registered email address on incorporation. Existing companies are required to provide a registered email address when filing their next confirmation statement. This email address will be used by Companies House to communicate with you about your company.
Manager
Statement of Lawful Purpose
From 4 March 2024, upon incorporation of a new company, the shareholders must confirm that they are forming the company for a lawful purpose. For existing companies, this declaration is made when filing the annual confirmation statement. The aim of this declaration is to ensure that it is clear that all companies on the register have a duty to operate in a lawful manner, whether they are new or existing companies.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch with our Accounts and Business Services team at Ryecroft Glenton.
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