Virtual Address Still Works in the UK ?

Companies House’s Registered Office Address Crackdown: 11,500 Firms Struck Off Under ECCT Act 2023

Since 4 March 2024, under the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act), UK companies are no longer permitted to use PO boxes or unreliable virtual addresses as their registered office. This change is part of a wider crackdown by Companies House, which has recently removed thousands of high-risk companies from the official register.

In fact, over 11,500 companies have been struck off following this focused enforcement action targeting improper registered office addresses. According to Companies House, this crackdown supports broader efforts to stop criminals from abusing UK corporate structures. The agency emphasizes its commitment to disrupting economic crime and protecting the integrity of the business register.

First ECCT enforcement Struck Off 11,500 UK Companies with Invalid Addresses

• Announced on 16 July 2025, over 11,500 UK companies were struck off in the past year for failing to hold a valid registered office address under the Companies Act 2006. It is the first announced action to tackle the issue after change and enactment of ECCT Act 2023. It is part of the restoring investor confidence in the UK economy.
• A coordinated operation led by the National Economic Crime Centre, supported by Companies House, HMRC, NCA and multiple police forces, targeted suspicious addresses and agents across 11 locations.
• For example, 4,000–5,000 businesses were registered at a single London address with no actual presence—often paper-only companies.
• Resulting actions included barred registration rights for key individuals, closure of high-risk service providers, and enforcement referrals to the Insolvency Service.
• The ECCT Act requires every company to maintain an “appropriate registered office address”, which is one where delivered documents are expected to reach a person acting on behalf of the company and where delivery can be acknowledged. PO Boxes or mail forwarding addresses without actual presence no longer qualify.
• Companies House now refuses or replaces invalid addresses, giving companies 28 days to update or face automatic strike-off.

In 2025, data from Companies House shows those with virtual addresses:

• 60,700 suspicious addresses removed,
• 47,200 officer addresses,
• 42,900 PSC address removals,
• affecting 75,600 companies in total.

Registered Office Compliance Under ECCT: Address and Verification Requirements

• Stricter ID verification rules and direct powers to query, reject, or remove information from the register strengthen enforcement and transparency.
• If your company currently uses a PO box or similar as its registered office, update it immediately to a valid, monitored office address.
• Consider using a reliable virtual office (meeting ECCT requirements) or using your home address, provided you can securely receive and acknowledge mail.
• Ensure you have an appropriate registered email address for official Companies House communications..
• Virtual or PO Box addresses will not meet ECCT standards and may trigger refusal or later strike-off.
• If compliance fails, your company could be struck off automatically or fined.
• Choosing an appropriate address now protects your company from future legal and regulatory risk.

Seek Professional Advice

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