Do you use a registered address or a virtual office for your UK company?

As part of ongoing updates to company law following the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT), Companies House has introduced a significant change regarding the registered office address requirement for all UK-registered companies. This change, effective from 4 March 2023, is just one of many expected updates in the future.

What’s Changed?

Under the new rules, all UK companies must ensure their registered office address meets specific criteria. The address must be considered ‘appropriate’ for receiving documents, meaning:

• Documents delivered by hand or post should reach a person acting on behalf of the company.
• The delivery of such documents must be capable of being acknowledged to confirm receipt.

What’s Not Acceptable?

Certain address services, like virtual offices, are no longer acceptable if they don't meet these criteria. Examples of inappropriate services include: 

• Only forwarding court documents and mail from certain UK government departments.
• Failing to forward general business correspondence to the company.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Using an address service that doesn’t meet the new requirements could have serious consequences:

• The company and its officers may be committing an offence.
• Companies House may change the registered office to the Companies House default address, starting the process to strike the company off the register.
• There could also be reputational damage for agents marketing non-compliant address services.

This is just the beginning of more stringent requirements to come, and overseas businesses registering companies in the UK must stay informed and ensure they comply with these updates to avoid legal and reputational risks.

***Contact us to learn more.