Companies House resumes strike off process

Companies House has resumed the process of removing companies from the register if there’s reasonable cause to believe it’s no longer carrying on business or in operation.

For example, the following could see a company struck off:

• company documents are outstanding, and Companies House has had no response to its letters;
• letters sent by Companies House are returned undelivered; and
• the company has no directors.

"Companies House is committed to supporting businesses who may be struggling during these unprecedented times, and we have introduced a number of legislative and non-legislative easements since April to provide support," said Stuart Morgan, intelligence and enforcement service owner at Companies House.

"However, it’s important that we have the right balance between supporting businesses, maintaining the integrity of the data on our register, and making sure that directors are complying with their legal requirements."

Companies that do not file their annual accounts or confirmation statement will normally receive two letters from Companies House. A notice is then published in the Gazette to tell the public that the registrar intends to strike off the company.

Any person with an interest in a company that is nearing strike off has been told to register an objection to dissolution at Companies House.