Once you’ve completed the processes of forming a company and have begun trading, you must consciously maintain good business housekeeping: staying on top of your records, correct filing, updating the necessary bodies etc, with Companies House in particular requiring such up-to-date information.
When you change your address (even if it is your personal residential address) it is absolutely necessary as a company director that you inform Companies House of the new details — this is true even if your home address is not used as your registered office address.
But Why Does Companies House Need to Know I’m Moving?
Since the running of a UK company is based on transparency and open communication, a person of significant control (PSC) is required to provide such important details to Companies House.
The reason business owners need to inform Companies House of relevant information (including an address change) is to exercise corporate transparency and counter economic crime. This information includes disclosure of business activities and details of the owner(s) and those in control of the running of the business. Hence, after registering a company in the UK, you will need to disclose information about each director, shareholder and PSC. This information is included on the UK register of companies and displayed on public record; this is available online and searchable for free via Companies House.
When it’s a legal requirement, Companies House will have to provide home addresses of business owners for credit purposes and public authority requirements, such as the police and other legal institutions.
Note: When you set up a company, you have to provide two addresses to Companies House: your normal residential address and your service address. Only your business service address will be displayed on public record whereas your home address (unless used as a service address/registered office address) will remain on a private register.
Inform Companies House of a Director’s Home Address Change
Updating your address details is not a difficult task and can be done by visiting the relevant Companies House section of GOV.UK. You will not be charged a fee to update this detail and where relevant, any updates will be displayed on public record within 24 hours of making the necessary update.
Simply head over to Companies House online and complete the form “CH01 Change of Director’s Details”. You must do this within 14 days of the relevant address change. Be sure to have the following details available when completing the form:
- Company Registration Number (CRN) (This can also be found via a Companies House search)
- The company’s name in full
- Company director’s birth date (month and year)
- The director’s name in full
- The date when the address was changed
- The new residential address (including postcode)
- The new business service address
Inform Companies House of a PSC’s Home Address Change
In order to update the residential address of a person with significant control, you must complete the form “PSC04 Change of Details of Individual Person With Significant Control”.
The amendment must be made with Companies House online and submitted within 28 days of the change of address. Be sure to have the following details available when completing the form:
- Company Registration Number Company Registration Number (CRN) (This can also be found via a Companies House search)
- The company’s name in full
- PSC’s birth date (month and year)
- The date when the address was changed
- The new residential address (including postcode)
- The new business service address
- The date when the address was updated on the company’s PSC register
- A declaration that the individual PSC is exempt, or has applied for exemption, from disclosing his or her home address to credit reference agencies (if applicable).
Note: You cannot use PSC04 if the PSC in question has made an application for protection over the disclosure of their details on the public record. You can request the correct form from the following email address: [email protected]
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How to Apply for Disclosure Exemption From Companies House
If your residential address is used as your company’s registered office address, Companies House will not be able to remove your home address from the company register. However, there are certain circumstances where directors and PSCs can request Companies House for the removal of their home address details (when it is used as their service address) from the public record. Additionally, you can request for this information to be withheld from credit reference agencies.
You have to apply for each of these exemptions separately and pay an associated fee.
Simply download form SR01 from the GOV.UK website and request Companies House to remove your home address from public record. You must post the completed form to Companies House and include a postal order or cheque for £55.00
Note: If your company’s activities can potentially put you at risk of intimidation or violence, you can ask Companies House to withhold your address from credit reference agencies. To qualify for exemption, you will have to provide supporting evidence, such as a police incident number, supporting documents as evidence of threat (media files), proof that you work for an elite company whose activities can put you at risk or require discretion, e.g. SIS, Mi etc.
There are two ways you can apply for this exemption:
- Request an application form by emailing Companies House at [email protected].
- Request a form by calling 0303 1234 500 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm).
You will be charged a £100 fee when applying.
Remember…
Companies House online is a fast and efficient way to update your details. However, since the updating of your company information is crucial, it must be done correctly and timely. So, if you want to file a confirmation statement at Companies House or learn more about the importance of contacting Companies House when you change your address, a credible formations company would be a very wise option.
To learn more about the importance of contacting Companies House when you change your residential address, contact our reputable company formations team who will help you every step of the way.
