Every company registered in the UK has a public entry at Companies House. Searching it is free and needs no login. All you need is the company name, its number or a director’s name.
What you can check for free
- Directors current and former, with a correspondence address.
- Persons with significant control (PSC), i.e. the actual owners.
- Filing history: changes, appointments, resignations.
- Accounts and annual confirmation statements to download.
- Deadlines: when the last accounts were filed and when the next are due.
What to watch out for
- A company set up a few weeks ago that promises “many years of experience”.
- A director who has run many companies that were closed or liquidated in a short time.
- Accounts long overdue with no new filing.
- A name on the contract or invoice that differs from the name on the register.
What it means for you
- Individuals: check the building firm before paying a deposit for renovation work.
- Workers: check the employer before you start work without a contract.
- Businesses: check new customers and suppliers before sending goods on credit.
Our assessment
A register entry is not a certificate of honesty. But it shows who is really behind a company and whether it meets its obligations. Five minutes of checking can save thousands of pounds.
What to do
- Go to Find and update company information and enter the company name or number.
- Compare the company number with the number on the invoice or contract.
- Save or print the entry on the day you sign the contract.
Source: Companies House – GOV.UK blog.
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