Registered Office Address: The importance of having a Registered Office Address that complies with Companies House Regulations. What You Need to Know.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 that came in force in October 2023 introduced significant changes to enhance the integrity of company information in the UK. Effective from 4 March 2024 Companies House implemented new requirements for registered office addresses, which we have covered in one of our previous blogs UK Corporate Legislation is Changing – what you need to know.

Under the new legislation Registered Office address of the Company must meet certain criteria and must be considered 'appropriate', but what exactly are these criteria and what does 'appropriate' mean?

Appropriate Address Requirement

• The Registered Office Address must be a physical address in the UK. You no longer can use a PO Box as a Registered Office Address of your company.
• Registered Office Address must be located in the same country where your company is registered. For example, a company registered in Scotland must have a registered office address in Scotland, a company registered in Wales will need to have a registered office address in Wales only, while company registered in England & Wales can have it’s registered office address anywhere within England & Wales, for example in London, Manchester, or Cardiff.

The company does not have to conduct business from the registered office, but it must maintain statutory records there.

Additionally, for Registered Office Address to be considered 'appropriate' any documents delivered attention of the Company (whether official government post or general business mail) are expected to come to the attention of someone acting on behalf of the company.

Any documents delivered for the company are expected to be acknowledged and recorded, meaning you, as a Company Director (or someone authorised to act on your behalf) must be made aware of any post delivered attention of your company, and a sender of any correspondence must be able to confirm that the post has been received.

Companies House powers to challenge Registered Office Address

With the introduction of the new Corporate Legislation Companies House now greater powers to verify the accuracy of registered office addresses provided at the time of incorporation or registered office addresses on their records of already registered companies, and challenge addresses that they believe are not compliant.

They have also provided additional powers to the Company Formation Agents and Corporate Service providers to remove their registered office address from the Company Records if evidence can be provided that address is being used without proper authorisation.

If you choose to use a service provider’s address—such as using Coddan as your provider- then the provider must still comply with these legal requirements.

Consequences of Non-Compliance with appropriate Registered Office Address Requirement

Failure to maintain an 'appropriate' Registered Office Address will result in Companies House changing company’s registered office to the Registrar’s default address.

Following that the Registrar will offer Company and opportunity to update Registered Office address to an 'appropriate' one to comply with the Statutory legal requirements.

Failure to update Registered office address within specified time period provided by the Companies House will result in the Registrar of Companies initiating a process of a Compulsory Struck off of the Company from the Register.

Using Coddan as your trusted Registered Office Address Service Provider

Ensuring Company’s compliance with minimum legal requirements is essential for Company’s business image and integrity.

Using Coddan as your trusted service provider will ensure that your Limited Company or Limited Liability Partnership will maintain all compliance needs as necessary and as required.

Coddan offers professional Registered Office Address service, as well as Virtual Business Address and General Business Mail handling service at various locations around the UK, ensuring your business’ compliance with all legal formalities from day one.

Creating Professional Business Image and Keeping Your Personal Address Private

Another important factor to consider is that your registered office address will be publicly available on the Companies House register. If you prefer to keep an address private—such as a residential address—you should avoid using it as your company’s registered office.

Using Coddan as your registered office address provider can enhance your company's professional image in many ways:

• Credibility & Trust: A prestigious London or UK business address adds legitimacy to your company. Clients and partners are more likely to trust a business with a professional office address rather than a residential one.
• Privacy Protection: Using professional Registered Office Address keeps your home address off the public record, ensuring privacy and security. Helps separate personal and business correspondence.
• Compliance with Companies House: Coddan provides a fully compliant registered office address service that meets the latest Companies House regulations, including the new Corporate Transparency Act rules.
• Efficient Mail Handling: Engaging Virtual Registered Office Address service through Coddan Ensures that important government and legal documents are received and processed promptly. It also reduces the risk of missing crucial deadlines from Companies House or HMRC.
• Ideal for International & Remote Businesses: Whether you are a small sole trader business operation working remotely looking to Register a Limited Company with Registered Office address for only £99.99 or an International entrepreneur operating from abroad setting up a company in the UK with Registered Office address as a Non Resident from just £145.00 Coddan is your go to Company Formation and Corporate Service Provider that will help you to maintain a strong local business presence.

If your company is already registered and you are only looking to engage professional Registered Office Address facility, look further. Use the order form linked below to apply today.

Coddan provides professional virtual registered office address service and handling of official government mail on behalf of your company that is compliant with the Companies House legal requirements of an “Appropriate registered office address”. Professional Mail Handling service and free scanning of official government mail from the Companies House, HMRC, ICO, Courts. Apply today and get help with filing change of your Registered Office address with the Companies House at no additional cost. Upgrade to Full All-Inclusive Virtual Business Address at any time.

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If you are interested or considering Setting Up Your Business in the UK but unsure which legal form to chose for your specific business idea - in a form of a registered Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD), Non-Profit Company – i.e. Private Company Limited by Guarantee (LBG), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), Public Limited Company (PLC), Unlimited Company, CIC – Community Enterprise Company (Social Enterprise Company) or Limited Partnership (LP) - or require more information or guidance, why not call us on +44 (0) 207 935 5171 to discuss your questions or to Apply for a Consultation. Our experienced and highly professional business support team is here to help!