This morning's post saw yet another batch of letters from HMRC and Companies House addressed to us (as Registered Office) for ex clients we haven't heard from in years. They are probably dormant or ceased trading.
How do others deal with changing these companies registered office if they cannot contact the directors?
Surely only a director can send a change in R.O. to Co House? Should we use the electronic code to change address to last known director address? Or can the registered office be just blanked in some way?
Maybe some sort of general 'upfront authority' from clients would be useful in future? 'If we lose contact with you or you do not pay our fees you hereby grant us authority to change the registered office to your last known business or home address without further notice'.
Practical advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Replies (4)
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Authority
Yep, I write a similar authority into our Terms of Business allowing us to change RO if necessary, including if they get CCJs - I've had enough of bailiffs turning up looking for clients.
The legality of someone other than officer changing the RO is questionable, but if anyone did object the alternative is for CH to commence strike off and/or compliance against directors on grounds "company cannot be contacted at RO" which I've seen them do.
Either way it solves, or starts to solve, the problem.
Practical
Sorry, you asked for practical advice as well - send the items back to CH or HMRC with a covering note "no longer acting, no contact with company, please amend your records" and leave it for them to sort out. Anything returned to CH will trigger letters from CH to the directors home addresses chivvying them up.
Fees for registered office
I advocate that, if the registered office service is provided, then fees should be charged for it...
# Clients who are current and upto date with fees : say £10 per month (+VAT)
# Companies who are NOT clients (ie. former clients) : say £50 + VAT per month
In either case subject to disbursement costs for forwarding post received on clients' behalf and annual review.
In the good old days
You would hold an undated signed change of RO address and on the client leaving would transfer the RO to the place of business or the directors address