You may be ready to move on from your company and want a simple, tidy way to close it. Striking off online can work well, but it needs care. Timing and eligibility matter, and small errors can cause objections or delays. If debts are involved, the process can stall or be reversed later. A little preparation now can save a lot of worry.
Below, we explain the steps in plain English and point out the pitfalls to avoid. You’ll see what to do before you apply, how long it usually takes, and what to consider if you owe money to HMRC, lenders, or suppliers. If anything feels unclear, we offer a free, confidential consultation to help you choose the safest route.
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Strike Off a Company Online: What It Really Means
Striking off is the process of removing a company from the Companies House register. You apply using form DS01. If no one objects during the notice period, Companies House dissolves the company and it stops existing as a legal entity. The online application costs £33. Paper applications cost £44 and take longer.
When you apply online, you use your Companies House account and your company authentication code. If there is more than one director, more than half must approve the application before submission. Once filed, a public notice is placed on the register and the objection window starts.
Are You Eligible to Strike Off?
Before you apply, make sure strike off is the right route. A few simple checks now can prevent objections, delays, or having to restore the company later.
Quick Eligibility Checklist
You’ve stopped trading. There are no outstanding contracts, leases, or employees to deal with.
Company bank accounts are closed and any remaining assets have been distributed. Money or assets left behind can pass to the Crown.
There are no ongoing legal actions against the company and no agreements that still need performance.
You will notify creditors and other interested parties after submitting DS01, as required by law (Companies Act ss.1006–1007).
A majority of directors will sign the DS01. If there is only one director, they will sign alone.
You understand that anyone with a valid reason can object during the notice period, which can stop or delay dissolution.
When Strike-Off Is Not Suitable
If the company owes money to HMRC, lenders, landlords, or suppliers, objections are common and the strike off may be suspended. Where debts exist, a formal solution may protect you better than a failed application. We can help you assess whether you’re eligible for strike-off or whether a different route fits your situation.
If You’re Unsure
It’s okay not to have all the answers. We’ll review your position, explain your options in plain English, and help you decide whether to apply online now, pause to tidy up loose ends, or look at voluntary liquidation to deal with debt safely. We can also explain the difference between strike-off and liquidation so that you have a clear view of your options.
How to Strike Off a Company Online: Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps. If anything feels uncertain at any point, get in touch for a calm, confidential chat.
Step 1: Prepare the Company
Close business bank accounts, settle final bills, and deal with any assets. Tell anyone who could be affected by the closure. If money or assets are left behind at dissolution, they can pass to the Crown.
Step 2: Check that You Meet the Basic Conditions
You normally need to have stopped trading, changed no names in the last 3 months, and have no formal agreements with creditors such as a CVA. If you do not meet these conditions, consider voluntary liquidation instead.
Step 3: Start the Online Application
Use the Companies House online service. You will need your Companies House account and the company authentication code.
Step 4: Get the Right People to Sign
Form DS01 must be signed by a majority of the directors. If there is only one director, they sign alone.
Step 5: Pay the Fee
It costs £33 to apply online. Paper applications cost £44 and take longer.
Step 6: Send Copies Within 7 Days
After you apply, you must send a copy of the application within 7 days to anyone who could be affected. This includes shareholders, creditors, employees, pension trustees, HMRC, any directors who did not sign, and anyone who becomes affected later.
Step 7: Objection Window
Companies House will publish a notice of your application. Anyone with a valid reason can object, which can delay or stop the strike off. Keep an eye on communications and be ready to provide information if asked.
Step 8: Company Dissolved
If no objections are raised, Companies House will strike the company off the register and confirm dissolution. You will lose access to any company bank accounts from that date, and restoration may be needed to recover anything left behind.
Mistakes to Avoid with DS01
A few common errors can delay or stop a strike off. Avoid these to keep things simple and safe.
Applying when you’re not eligible
You usually cannot strike off if you’ve traded or changed the company name in the last 3 months, are threatened with liquidation, or have agreements with creditors such as a CVA. If any of these apply, consider other routes.
Not sending copies within 7 days
After you apply, you must give a copy of the application to anyone who could be affected within 7 days, including members, employees, creditors, HMRC, pension trustees, and any director who did not sign. Missing this step can cause problems later.
Forgetting to notify creditors
Creditors and other interested parties can object during the notice period. If they are not told promptly, objections are more likely and dissolution can be suspended.
Tip: build a simple checklist to avoid common mistakes in your timeline.
Leaving money or assets in the company
Cash in bank accounts and other property that still belong to the company on dissolution can pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. You may need to restore the company to recover them.
Incorrect signatories
DS01 must be authenticated by the correct number of current directors: one if there’s only one, both if there are two, or a majority if there are more. Companies House can return forms that are completed incorrectly.
Assuming debts won’t matter
If you owe money to HMRC, lenders, landlords, or suppliers, they can object and stop the strike off. It’s often safer to speak with us about formal options first.
Not monitoring the public notice
Once the notice is published, stay alert for queries or objections and respond quickly with evidence if asked. Ignoring notices can lead to delays or the application being discontinued.
Overlooking restoration risk
Even if the company is struck off, it can be restored later, for example to recover assets or pursue claims. Rushing an application can create future cost and stress.
What to Do If You Owe Money
If the company owes money, striking off often stalls. Creditors can object and Companies House can suspend the application while issues are resolved. That can add time, cost, and stress. A short conversation with us can help you choose a safer route for your situation.
First Steps If You Have Debts
- Pause the DS01 if it’s not yet filed.
- List every creditor, amount owed, and any security or guarantees.
- Check whether the company is insolvent on a cash-flow or balance-sheet basis.
- Keep records of all communications and payments.
If You Owe HMRC
HMRC regularly objects to strike off when taxes are outstanding. Expect requests for returns or balances before they consider withdrawing an objection. Be ready with up-to-date filings, and respond quickly to any queries during the notice period.
If You Have a Bounce Back Loan
A Bounce Back Loan is a company debt. Lenders or the Insolvency Service can object to strike off if the loan is unpaid. Where repayments are not affordable, a formal insolvency process can deal with the debt in an orderly way and reduce the risk of a failed dissolution.
If You Owe Suppliers or Landlords
Unpaid suppliers, landlords, and other parties can object while they pursue what they are owed. Keeping them informed and responding to evidence requests can prevent delays, but if debts cannot be repaid, a different route is usually safer than pushing ahead with DS01.
What Are the Safer Routes?
- A confidential review with us to test eligibility, timelines, and risks.
- A payment plan if the debts are modest and affordable.
- A formal procedure if they are not, such as voluntary liquidation, which brings the company to an orderly close and deals with creditor claims correctly.
Why Act Early
Early advice gives you more options and reduces the chance of objections, extra fees, or having to restore the company later. If you’re unsure, we’ll talk you through the choices in plain English and help you decide the next step that protects you best.
Creditor Objections: How They Happen and What to Do
When you apply to strike off, Companies House publishes a public notice. From that point, anyone with a valid reason can object. If the registrar accepts an objection, the strike off is paused or stopped until the issue is resolved. Typical reasons include unpaid debts, ongoing legal proceedings, or missing filings.
Who Can Object
Any “interested party” can object, including creditors, employees, shareholders, landlords, and government bodies such as HMRC. Objections can be made online through the Companies House service or by email or post within the timeframe set out on the notice.
What Evidence Is Needed
Companies House looks for clear evidence of a valid reason to object. For example, copies of invoices or statements showing money owed, details of ongoing legal claims, or proof that assets remain in the company. If the evidence stacks up, the application will not proceed.
What to Do If an Objection Lands
Stay calm and respond quickly. Acknowledge receipt, review the reason, and gather documents that address the point. If you can pay what’s owed or agree a plan, do that and ask the objector to withdraw. If the objection relates to a wider debt problem or insolvency, consider pausing the application while you explore a formal solution that closes the company safely.
How Long You Have
The first public notice starts a window before dissolution. If no valid reason is given, the registrar can strike the company off no sooner than two months after the notice. If an objection is accepted, the timetable stops until the issue is resolved.
If Things Change
You can withdraw an application if circumstances shift, or re-apply later when the reason for objection has been dealt with. Where debts are the root cause, taking advice early usually prevents repeat objections and future restoration issues.
How Long Does It Take to Strike Off a Company Online?
Once you submit DS01 online and send copies to the right people, Companies House publishes a Gazette notice of the proposed strike off. If no one objects, the registrar can dissolve the company not less than 2 months after the notice is published, followed by a final notice confirming dissolution. Online applications are cheaper and usually processed faster than paper.
Submitting online with the correct signatories, paying the fee at the time of filing, and completing every required field accurately reduces rejections and queries. The online service includes basic checks to help you get it right first time.
Common Causes of Delays
Objections from interested parties. Any creditor, HMRC, landlord, or other party can object, which pauses or stops the strike off until the issue is resolved.
Missing or late notifications. You must send copies of the application within 7 days to everyone who could be affected; failures here can trigger problems.
Incorrect signatories. Where there are multiple directors, more than half must approve the application before submission.
Errors on the form or using paper. Paper filings take longer and are more prone to delays in transit and processing; the online route is quicker.
After Dissolution
When the final notice is published, the company stops existing as a legal entity. Any property or money left in the company may vest as bona vacantia, and restoration could be needed to recover it.
Can a Struck-Off Company Be Restored?
Yes. There are two main routes to bring a dissolved company back to the register: administrative restoration and court restoration. Administrative restoration is only available if the company was struck off by the registrar, not voluntarily, it was dissolved within the last 6 years, and it was trading at the time. Otherwise, you’ll need a court order.
Administrative Restoration
A former director or shareholder applies to Companies House using form RT01, pays the Companies House fee (currently £468), files any overdue accounts or confirmation statements, settles filing penalties, and, if assets passed to the Crown, obtains a waiver letter from Bona Vacantia first. If accepted, Companies House confirms restoration in writing.
Court Restoration
If the company was removed following a voluntary strike off, or you do not meet the administrative criteria, an interested party can ask the court to restore it. Courts can give directions to put everyone back in the position they would have been in if the company had not been dissolved, but this route usually involves legal costs and takes longer. Most applications must be made within 6 years of dissolution.
Why Restoration Matters If Assets Were Left Behind
When a company is dissolved, any property or money still in its name usually becomes bona vacantia and passes to the Crown by operation of law. Restoration may be needed to recover those assets, or you may need to deal with the Crown’s Bona Vacantia Division.
Once restored, you can update filings and, if relevant, apply to reclaim money transferred as bona vacantia. Keep records ready to speed up the process.
Compulsory vs Voluntary Strike-Off
These are two different paths that look similar on the surface but mean very different things.
Voluntary Strike-Off
You choose to close the company. You apply using DS01 through the online service. If no one objects after the public notice, the registrar can dissolve the company not less than two months later. It costs £33 online.
Compulsory Strike-Off
This is started by the registrar when a company appears inactive or non-compliant. Typical triggers include missing accounts or confirmation statements and no response to reminders. A First Gazette notice is published, and the company is removed if nothing changes within the notice window.
If you see a notice about compulsory strike-off, act quickly to file what’s overdue or explain the position to Companies House.
Why the Difference Matters
Voluntary strike off signals an orderly wind-down. Compulsory action can raise questions with banks, landlords, and creditors, and may prompt objections or further scrutiny. If there are debts or unresolved issues, consider pausing a voluntary application and taking advice on safer options before events overtake the process.
Stopping Compulsory Strike-Off
Bring filings up to date and respond to Companies House without delay. Once the reason for the notice is fixed, the registrar can discontinue the action and the company can continue trading. If the company should close, you can still choose the voluntary route when you are ready.
FAQs
Can I strike off a company with debt?
It’s possible to apply, but creditors and bodies like HMRC can object, which pauses or stops the process. Where debts exist or insolvency is likely, a formal route is often safer than a failed DS01. Speaking with us first helps you choose the right path.
How much does DS01 cost online?
The online application fee is £33. Paper applications cost £44 and usually take longer to process. Applying online also builds in basic checks that reduce errors and delays.
Do I have to tell creditors and others after I apply?
Yes. You must send a copy of the application within 7 days to anyone who could be affected, including members, employees, creditors, pension trustees, HMRC, and any director who did not sign. Keep records of who you notified and when.
How long does strike off take?
If no one objects, the registrar can dissolve the company not less than two months after the public notice is published. Objections, missing notifications, or errors can extend this.
Who can object and how do they do it?
Any interested party, such as a creditor, landlord, shareholder, employee, or HMRC, can object during the notice window. Objections can be made online, or by email or post if needed, with evidence to support the reason.
Can I cancel my application if things change?
Yes. You can withdraw your DS01 if circumstances change, then consider alternatives or reapply later once issues are resolved. It’s sensible to review eligibility and debt position before taking your next step.
Can a dissolved company be restored?
Yes. Administrative restoration may be available in limited cases; otherwise, restoration is by court order. Expect to file overdue documents and settle fees or penalties. Restoration is often needed if assets were left behind.
Get Help Before You File
If you’re close to applying, a short conversation can make the decision clearer and safer. We’ll listen first. Then we’ll explain your options in plain English and help you choose the right route for your circumstances.
What you can expect from us
- A calm, confidential consultation with a regulated adviser
- A quick check of eligibility to strike off online
- Straight answers on risks, timelines, and likely costs
- Clear alternatives if debts or other red flags suggest a different path
What to bring, if you can
- Your Companies House details and any recent filings
- A simple list of any debts (HMRC, lenders, suppliers, rent)
- Bank, lease, or contract information that might still be active
If you feel ready, get in touch and we’ll take it step by step. If you’d prefer to think things through first, that’s fine too. We’re here when you need us.
