Upcoming changes set to be introduced at Companies House on the 4th March 2024. These changes stem from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act which became law in October 2023.
REGISTERED EMAIL ADDRESS
One significant change is that Companies House require all companies to provide an email address. This information will be collected either on completing your Conformation Statement for existing companies or at the point of incorporation for a new company. Notably, this email address will not be published on the public register.
REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS
Another revision mandates that a registered office address must always have an ‘appropriate address’. Such address is one where:
- documents sent to the registered office should be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company.
- any document sent can be recorded by an acknowledgement of delivery.
These changes mean you will no longer be able to use a PO Box as a registered office. You may still use a third-party agent’s address provided they meet the conditions for an appropriate address.
STATEMENT OF LAWFUL PURPOSE
When you incorporate a company from 4th March 2024, the subscribers (shareholders) will need to confirm they’re forming the company for a lawful purpose.
You’ll also need to confirm the company’s intended future activities are lawful on the confirmation statement.
Existing companies will need to make a lawful purpose statement when they file their next confirmation statement with a statement date from 5th March 2024.
CHANGES TO COMPANIES HOUSE FEES
Companies House fees are set to rise as of the 1st May 2024. This is the first rise since 2016. I have given some of the key changes in the table, for a full list of changes refer to the link below.
https://changestoukcompanylaw.campaign.gov.uk/changes-to-companies-house-fees/