Protection of Residential Addresses - 1st October 2009: Companies Act 2006 Final Provisions
On 1st October 2009 the final provisions of the Companies Act 2006 are coming into force. One of these provisions is to offer all Directors and Company Secretaries the option to protect disclosure of their personal residential addresses. This has previously only been possible via a Confidentiality Order issued by Companies House.
What does this mean for me?
If you wish to remove your residential address from public record you can now specify a "service address" instead. This can simply be "The Company's Registered Office" or it can be somewhere different, as long as it is an address where documents can be delivered and an acknowledgement or receipt can be issued if requested. It cannot be a P O Box or DX Number. If a service address is registered, Companies House will only disclose your residential address to prescribed regulatory authorities (such as the police and HMRC) and possibly credit reference agencies.
When service addresses are introduced they will be free. From 1st October 2009 service addresses for Directors and Company Secretaries will automatically be listed as their current residential address, unless a Confidentiality Order is in place.
What does this mean for my company?
From 1st October 2009, companies are required to keep a separate register of the residential addresses of their Company Secretary and Director(s). This register is no longer open to public inspection and the company must not use or disclose the residential addresses except:
- when communicating with the Director / Company Secretary
- when complying with Companies House obligations
- when required by the court
You may therefore need to change company procedures and brief the relevant staff.
How do I remove my residential address from public record?
Residential addresses can be removed online from 1st October 2009 via the Companies House Website.
For further information or assistance please contact Simon Hook on (0191) 384 2244.
Internet links:
Companies House
Details of the Service Address Introduction and All Other October 1st Provisions