Companies House will be implementing several changes to company law over the next few years to improve the accuracy and quality of the data held on their registers. Below is a summary of upcoming changes:
Registered office addresses
From 04 March 2024, all companies must have an 'appropriate address' as their registered office address. An address is classed as an 'appropriate address' if a document addressed to the company, and delivered there by hand or by post, would come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of that company. If Companies House believe the address is not 'appropriate', they will change it to a default address held at Companies House. In this instance, the company must provide an appropriate address with evidence of proprietary ownership within 28 days, or Companies House could start the process to strike the company off the register.
Statement of lawful purpose when incorporating a new company
From 04 March 2024, there will be a requirement when incorporating or registering a new company to confirm that the company is being formed for a lawful purpose. A company will also need to confirm that its intended future activities are lawful on their annual confirmation statement.
Confirmation statements
All companies will need to provide a registered email address when filing a confirmation statement. This will not be available to the public but will be used by Companies House to communicate with the company. From 04 March 2024, new companies will need to provide this when they incorporate. Existing companies will need to provide this when they file their next confirmation statement.
Identity verification
A new process will be introduced over the coming months to help deter people wishing to use companies for illegal purposes. Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will need to verify their identity to prove they are who they claim to be.
Changes to the way accounts are filed
Companies House will soon be transitioning towards filing annual accounts by software only. This new legislation will require companies to file accounts in a digital format and to comply with these changes, all companies will need to find suitable software before web-based and paper filing options are no longer available.
Full details of the upcoming changes can be found by visiting the below link:
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