Compliance & records

For a Private Limited company, appointing a Company Secretary is not mandatory. You can run it with a single director. Some providers' packages add a secretary for the first year as an optional service for correspondence and compliance.

The important thing is not to neglect the CS01 and the accounts even without a secretary. Eteform covers reminders and administrative support depending on the package.

They are core formation documents: the Memorandum records the intention to form the company, and the Articles of Association govern the company's management, shares and directors' decisions. Most small companies adopt the standard Model Articles from Companies House without a lawyer's custom drafting.

You receive them as part of the formation pack. Amend them later only when there is a genuine need (multiple partners, special rights) and with the help of a specialist.

As a general rule, keep accounting records and tax documents for at least six years (and sometimes longer depending on the type of record). Invoices, contracts and bank statements are essential in an HMRC or bank review. Store secure digital copies.

Neglecting archiving harms you more than the simple cost of cloud storage.

Yes, by filing the change with Companies House. This happens when moving to another address provider or opening a real office in the UK. The address must remain a valid address within the UK. Update your bank and Stripe after the change.

If your address service with a provider lapses without a replacement, you may face compliance risks — renew early.

The provider receives official mail at the London address, then notifies you or scans/forwards it depending on the package. Companies House and HMRC letters are important — do not ignore the notifications. Some packages include digital scanning; others charge per item.

Ask what the address price includes before choosing. Eteform's privacy packages set out the scope of the service on request.

The registered office is a legal requirement for Companies House. A virtual office is a broader service: a commercial address for clients, call answering, and sometimes meeting rooms. You can combine them or make do with just the registered office if you work fully remotely. Check the services page for pricing.

Do not use a PO Box alone as a registered office.

Sometimes yes, through administrative or court proceedings to restore the name and entity, but they are costly and slower than avoiding the strike-off in the first place by complying with the CS01 and the accounts. After a strike-off you may lose the name to another party. It is best not to reach this stage.

If your company is struck off, contact an accountant or agent immediately to assess restoration options versus a fresh formation.

Yes, through a share transfer with the appropriate agreements and Companies House documents, and with identity verification of the buyer under the current rules. A sale has tax implications in the UK and in your country. Do not sell 'over WhatsApp' without a contract.

For a simple move to a new partner we help with the administrative side; for large deals, involve a lawyer and an accountant.

If you process personal data of people in the UK/EU (clients, users, marketing) then data protection rules may apply and you may need to pay the ICO Data Protection fee in some cases. An online store or SaaS that collects emails usually needs a privacy policy and correct practices. This is separate from formation.

When you launch your platform, review your obligations or consult a privacy specialist.