Over the next few months you may receive an email from Companies House registering a new email address. Here’s why…
Changes to UK Company Law
On the 4th of March 2024, Companies House introduced the first set of changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
This Act gives Companies House the power to play a bigger role in tackling economic crime and supporting economic growth.
The above has resulted in new responsibilities for the following persons:
- All new and existing company directors
- PSC’s – people with significant control
- Anyone who files on behalf of the company
This has also resulted in two additional steps needing to be done when submitting a confirmation statement to Companies House:
All companies need to provide a registered email address.
Emails sent by Companies House to the email address on record are expected to go to the attention of the person acting on behalf of the company.
Companies House have confirmed that the email address will not be published on public register
- Statement of Lawful purpose
Before the confirmation statement can be filed at Companies House, you will need to tick the box confirming that the intended future activities of the company will be lawful.
The intention of this new statement is to make it clear that all companies have a duty to operate in a lawful way.
If Companies House receives information that you are not acting lawfully they may take action against your company.
New rules for registered office addresses
From 4th of March 2024 each company must have an appropriate address as their registered office at all times.
What is an appropriate address?
- Any documents sent to the registered office are expected to come to the attention of the person acting on behalf of the company
- Any documents sent to that address can be recorded by a signed for delivery
The result of the above means that you can no longer use a PO Box as a registered office address, you can still however make use of a third-party agent’s address i.e. your accountants as long as their address meets the definition of an appropriate address.
Where a company doesn’t have an appropriate address, Companies House will change the address to a default address held by them. The company will then have 28 days to provide Companies House with an appropriate address as well as proof of the address. If Companies House doesn’t receive this they will start the strike off process.
If you need help with this, or with other advice, then please get in touch with our accounting team.