Companies House to resume the compulsory strike off process
From 10 October 2020, we’ll resume the process to strike off companies we believe are no longer carrying on business or in operation.
In April 2020, we introduced temporary easement measures in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) and we’ve reviewed these measures each month. Following our latest review, the temporary measure to suspend compulsory strike off action will be lifted from 10 October 2020.
From this date, we’ll resume the process to remove a company from the register if there’s reasonable cause to believe it’s no longer carrying on business or in operation.
For example, if:
- company documents are outstanding, and we’ve had no response to our letters
- letters sent by Companies House are returned undelivered
- the company has no directors
Companies that do not file their annual accounts or confirmation statement will normally receive 2 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.
When compulsory strike off action resumes from 10 October - if there are no objections to dissolution and the 2 month period from the publication of the Gazette notice has expired, your company will be struck off shortly afterwards.
If your company is in default and you want it to remain on the register
You must file your outstanding documents or contact Companies House urgently. Otherwise, we’ll resume the process to remove your company from the register on 10 October 2020.
Companies House
Email: enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk
Telephone: 0303 1234 500
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm
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Objections to strike off
Any person with an interest in a company which is nearing strike off should register an objection to dissolution at Companies House.
If you’ve already registered an objection, but the time period for that objection is due to expire - you’ll need to register your objection again if it’s still required.
When we receive an objection to strike off, we’ll respond to advise whether the objection has been accepted or rejected. Every response will give a deadline and if we receive no further evidence that action is progressing by that date, we’ll resume the process to remove the company from the register.
It’s important to send any objection to Companies House as early as possible after publication of the Gazette notice and at least 2 weeks before the notice expiry date.
Applications for voluntary strike off (DS01)
Following our July review, the voluntary strike off process will restart from 10 September 2020.