
As of 27 January 2025, Companies House has introduced new rules that allow directors to suppress residential addresses from historical documents on the public register for a fee of £30 per document.
This update, brought in by new regulations under section 1088 of the Companies Act 2006, marks a change for directors and company officers seeking greater privacy.
What has changed?
For the first time, directors can apply to remove residential addresses from historical documents on the public register if they have been used as the company’s registered office address.
However, before suppression can take place, the company’s registered office address must be updated to a different address from the residential address you wish to suppress.
Companies are required to have an appropriate registered office address listed with Companies House and on the public record at all times.
If the company is dissolved, you must wait six months before applying to remove an address previously used as a registered office address.
Key points of the new rules include:
- Each application to suppress an address costs £30.
- If the company is dissolved or the individual is no longer a director, the first part of the residential address’s postcode will remain publicly available.
- While directors residing abroad can suppress their private address, details such as the country and state or province will remain visible.
- As before with the suppression of addresses, only a director, company officer, (which includes directors), person with significant control (PSC) or member of a company, or the permanent representative of an overseas company holding such positions can apply for suppression.
What this means for transparency
While these changes are intended to improve privacy, there are concerns they may reduce transparency.
Publicly accessible information on Companies House plays an important role in enabling accountability and investigation.
However, agencies such as HMRC and the police will retain access to all necessary data, regardless of suppression.
Company secretaries should consider balancing the need for privacy with the importance of maintaining trust and openness in business records.
What should company secretaries do?
If your company’s directors or officers wish to suppress their residential address, here’s what you need to know:
Check and update registered office addresses
If the residential address is currently listed as the registered office, it must be updated before an application for suppression can be submitted.
Ensure the new registered office complies with Companies Act requirements.
Submit applications via the updated SR01 form
Directors can apply to suppress their address using the updated SR01 form, which must be completed by post.
Unlike previous processes for protecting details, no reason for suppression is required.
Inform directors and PSCs about their options
Make sure directors, PSCs, and company members are aware of the new rules and the associated fee.
If privacy concerns exist, encourage timely action to avoid delays.
Keep records updated
Ensure the company’s statutory records reflect any address changes, and that these are correctly filed with Companies House.
If you or your directors have questions about address suppression or need guidance on updating registered office addresses, we are here to help.
Contact us today to discuss how these changes could impact your company.