Finding out that another company has registered your home or business address without permission can be frustrating and confusing. At Duport, we often speak to company owners who are unsure what to do when their address has been used incorrectly on the Companies House register. A common issue is discovering that a company has been registered using an address without the owner’s permission. This guide explains what you can do if this happens and how to request an address change through Companies House.
The Importance of Address Authorisation
When setting up a UK limited company, providing accurate and up-to-date information, including a registered office address, is vital. This address serves as the official contact point for the company and is publicly available for various legal and administrative purposes. For that reason, a company should only use an address where it has permission from the owner or occupier.
What Happens When Someone Uses Your Address Without Permission?
Each year, some homeowners and businesses discover that their address has been used by a company without their knowledge. In some cases, this involves someone using a business address they have no connection with. In others, a homeowner may suddenly start receiving official letters for a company they have never heard of. If this happens, there is a process you can follow to challenge the address and notify Companies House.
What to do if your address has been used without permission
The first step is to contact Companies House and explain that the company does not have permission to use your address as its registered office. This can be done by phone on 0303 1234 500 or by email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk
Companies House has a default address that it uses for companies found to be using a registered office without permission. In most instances, Companies House will require a specific form to be filled in showing proper procedure has been followed and evidence logged before they change to this default address.
Form RP07 – Application to change a company’s disputed registered office address
The form RP07 allows individuals or companies to change the registered address of anyone using it without authorisation and is available to download from Companies House here: RP07 download
The fastest way to file the RP07 is to use the Companies House file upload service: Companies House document upload service
You will need to create a personal account with your email address before you are able to use the upload service, but it is significantly faster than sending forms by post. However, there is a postal option on the form if you prefer.
Completing the RP07 Form
- Sections 1 & 2: Your details, name & address, as the applicant.
- Section 3: Company details, these are the details about the company using your address fraudulently.
You will need to provide the company name in full with the correct ending (LTD, Limited, LLP etc).
You will also need to include the company number. You can search the online company register to find out the company number if you do not have it to hand see https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/
- Section 4: The current registered address.
- Section 5: A short explanation of the reasons why you want the address to be changed.
- Section 6: Your signature as the applicant.
Evidence – You will be required to include supporting documents with your application. There is a list on page one of the form detailing examples, such as a land registry deed dated within the last year, a utility bill dated within 6 months or a business lease to show your company has the right to the address rather than the company using the address without consent.
Once Companies House have your RP07 & evidence they will review the reasoning.
Assuming your evidence is in order they will send you notice that they have begun the process to change the address.
Companies House will write to the company at the registered address and to the individual company officers requesting they update the address. The law states that they must be given 28 days to change the address. If the address is not changed after the 28 day period Companies House will change the address to their default address and send notice to the company and its officers. Alternatively, if the company can provide sufficient evidence that they have the right to use the current address, Companies House will write to you as the applicant and tell you.
If the company does change the address within the 28 days, Companies House will write to you and let you know the address has been changed.
Avoid Address Problems With A Professional Registered Office Address
Many address disputes occur because company owners use personal home addresses or unsuitable locations when registering their business.
Using a Duport Registered Office Address allows your company to receive official correspondence without displaying your home address on the public register.
Protect Your Privacy With A Service Address
Company directors also have the option of using a Service Address. This allows directors to keep their residential address private by using a separate address for official director correspondence.
A Service Address allows directors to keep their residential address private while still receiving official Companies House correspondence at a separate address
Find out more about Duport’s Registered Office Address and Service Address services and choose the option that’s right for your business.
Discovering that your address has been used without permission can be worrying, but there is a clear process to resolve the issue. By contacting Companies House and providing the right evidence, you can work towards having the address removed. If you’re setting up a new company or want to keep your personal address private, using a Registered Office Address or Service Address from the outset can help prevent similar issues in the future.
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