Under the Companies Act 2006, every UK limited company must maintain a registered office address at all times. Operating without one is not just non-compliant — it is a criminal offence.
What Happens If You Have No Registered Office
Companies House will begin strike-off proceedings. Your company appears on the Gazette, and after two months, it is dissolved. Any assets — bank balances, intellectual property, contracts — transfer to the Crown.
How It Happens
The most common cause is not malice — it is neglect. A director moves home, forgets to update the registered office, and Companies House correspondence bounces. After enough returned mail, strike-off begins automatically.
How to Fix It
File form AD01 at Companies House with a valid address. It is free and processed within 24 hours. If strike-off proceedings have started, file an objection (form GC100) simultaneously.
The fastest fix: sign up for a virtual office at your chosen provider (£70/month) and file the address change the same day. See our 10-minute switching guide.