If you intend to start a private limited company in the UK, you have to register your business with Companies House.
Before you decide to set up a business in the UK, you need to decide whether you will register as a private limited company (LTD), a public limited company (PLC) or a limited liability partnership (LLP).
The type of company you register is an important decision to make in terms of tax obligations and how the company is administered should you go into liquidation.
You will also need to think of a company name that is not already taken. Check on the Companies House website for availability together with the restrictions imposed by UK law about the naming of a business.
The name of your company should not contain any sensitive words or sound too much like an existing company. If you plan to build a website, the name of your company may also be influenced by available domain names.
Registered Office
Private limited companies in the UK are expected to be held accountable. Subsequently, the address you register with Companies House must have a physical presence.
Also, when you register as a private limited company in the UK, your business address, and the director’s service address will be in the public domain and available to anybody. Subsequently, it’s best practice to avoid registering your home address. The security issue alone could be a concern, but it also leaves you open to an increased number of cold calling and potential cyber attacks.
Check out this business forum to see real-life issues involving business owners that have registered their home address with Companies House. It’s not a comfortable read.
Directors Service Address
The directors of private limited companies are also obligated to register a service address. The service address must also be a physical location where directors can receive personal mail together with authorised notices from HMRC.
A service address does not have to be located in the UK. It can be anywhere across the globe. However, most people will use the registered address of the company to boost the credibility of directors.
The service address you choose is also published in the public domain and readily available on the Companies House website. Therefore, it is better to avoid using a home address.
Register A Limited Company Through A Registrar
Although you can register with Companies House online, the most cost effective and easiest way to register a private limited company in the UK is to use a third party registrar.
Using a company formation service agent gives you several distinct advantages;
- They are less expensive
- You can use their address as your registered address
- Saves you the hassle of filling out registration forms
Companies House charge a £12 fee to register a private limited company with them online. If you do this by post, the cost is £40. Processing time is 8-10 days. For same day registration, the fee is £100.
On the other hand, you can register your private limited company with LowCost LetterBox for as little as £2.99. We can even register on the same day and send you the official documents by email within three to six hours.
Using our company formation services gives you the confidence that your application will be registered swiftly and correctly. Furthermore, we have physical addresses in central London and the surrounding areas which also project a positive image for your business.
To avoid making the private address of directors available to the public, using the services of a company formation agent provides you with security. Plus you get a prestigious London address that can really give your business a boost.
Related articles:
PO BOX IN LONDON: HOW DOES IT MAKE A GOOD BUSINESS IMPRESSION
HOW A VIRTUAL OFFICE CAN HELP YOU (RUN YOUR BUSINESS FROM HOME)
9 TIPS FOR COMPANY FORMATION IN 2017 (FOR THE UK BUSINESS)
