What is an RP07 form and when to file it at Companies House?

Has your home or business address been used without permission as a company’s registered office? The RP07 form is your official route to challenge and correct that. Learn when and how to use it with this practical, up-to-date guide.

What is an RP07?

RP07 is the official 'Application to change a company’s registered office address' form published by Companies House. It is a tool for challenging inappropriate or unauthorised use of an address in the company register.

If there is a dispute over whether a company or an individual associated with a company has the right to use a particular address, RP07 is used to challenge the use of the address as a company’s registered office, a director’s service address, or a registered agent address appearing on the public register.

The RP07 process is governed by Section 1097A of the Companies Act 2006, as amended by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

This does happen, where a company is registered to an address - a home address or otherwise - without knowledge or consent from the occupant or owner. This blog provides an overview of the RP07 form and how to file it at Companies House.

Remember you can use a UK Postbox address across the UK for your company registration needs.

What an RP07 is not meant for:

It’s not a form to update your own company’s address, unless you're the one being affected. The company cannot use RP07 to make routine address changes. That’s what form AD01 is for. It’s only for address misuse disputes, not admin updates.

When and why would you file RP07?

You’d consider filing an RP07 in scenarios such as:

• Your property is being used as a company’s registered address without your consent, for example when a formation agent or previous occupant hasn’t relinquished use.
• A company or individual continues to use an address after termination of a contract, such as failing to move or update their address.
• The address listed is not “appropriate” under recent reforms, for instance when the use of PO Boxes is no longer allowed. Note that, from March 2024, Companies House requires every registered office to be an ‘appropriate address’, meaning it must be a real physical location where documents can be delivered and acknowledged. PO Boxes alone are no longer accepted.
• You are the rightful owner or occupier and wish to have your address cleared from misuse or remove liability for someone else’s company being associated with it.

In effect, RP07 is a legal redress route when you believe the register is being misused or an address on it is invalid or unauthorised.

Example: You discover a company registered at your home address that you’ve never heard of. You’d complete RP07, provide proof of ownership, and Companies House would likely replace the address with a default one in Cardiff.

An ‘Appropriate Address’ means:

• Mail delivered there would be expected to come to the attention of someone acting for the company.
• Acknowledgement of delivery can be given.

How to complete and file an RP07 (step by step)

Here’s how to use RP07:‍

‍1. Get the form
Download the latest RP07 from GOV.UK.

2. Fill in your details in Part A - Applicant and company or LLP details

Part A is to give your details and the company you’re complaining about.

• Your name or company or firm, if the applicant is a corporate body.
  
• Your contact address and email.
  
• The company name and registration number whose address is in dispute.

3. Fill in your details in Part B - Address

Part B is to give more details about the address.

• The address as currently on the register.
• Indicate who, whether person or company, is shown in the registry as using that address and where it appears.

4. Fill in your details in Part C - Reason for application

Part C is to give reasons for your application. A full explanation of why you believe the use is improper, for example no consent, contract terminated, not an appropriate address.

• Give the name of any person or company who is shown on our records using this address.
• Give as much detail as you can about where the address can be found on our records.
• Explain why the company and/or person named is not entitled to use this address.
  

5. Attach supporting evidence
Evidence should be copies, not originals, and could include:

• Property deeds, lease or title documents showing your proprietary rights.
  
• A utility bill or similar addressed to you at that address within the last six months.
  
• Signed agreements, termination notices, invoices, or contracts relating to the address use.
  

6. Submit the form
You can upload it via the Companies House document upload service, which is typically faster. Or you can post it to any Companies House address listed on the form.

7. Wait for a response, typically 28 days
Once filed, Companies House will notify the company or person listed in the dispute. They then have 28 days to respond with their evidence or challenge.

If no satisfactory response is given, or the arguments are not accepted, the Registrar may change the address to a Companies House default address, such as a PO Box in Cardiff, and notify the parties. After that, the company will be given a further 28 days to file a new, appropriate address.

If the company does not update its registered office within 28 days after being assigned the default address, it can be struck off the register under Section 1000 of the Companies Act 2006.

When should you file RP07?

You should file an RP07 as soon as you become aware of misuse or wrongful listing of your address. There is no fixed annual deadline, it is situational.

Some practical triggers to file include:

• Discovering your address is listed without authorisation.
  
• After a service provider fails to renew or loses legitimacy but continues to use your address.
  
• When a former tenant or agent continues to use your property for a company registration.
  
• If Companies House queries the appropriateness of an address under recent reforms, you may need to proactively challenge misuse.

Filing promptly helps enforce your rights and ensure the register remains accurate.

What happens after filing an RP07?

• Notification sent: Companies House notifies the subject of the dispute.
• 28 days to respond: The affected party can contest or provide evidence.
• Registrar’s decision: If the evidence is insufficient or no response arrives, the Registrar may remove the disputed address and switch to a default address.
• Re-addressing by the company: After being assigned the default address, the company must then file a proper address update, usually via form AD01.
• Appeals: If you disagree with Companies House’s decision, there may be recourse in court, though legal advice is recommended. Appeals can be made to the court under section 1097A of the Companies Act 2006 if you believe the registrar’s decision was incorrect.

Once a company’s address is changed to the default, it may only change it again via a paper AD01 form, not online.

About Registered Office Addresses

Companies must, at all times, have an 'appropriate address' as a registered office address. UK Postbox can provide these addresses with professional and prestigious locations available.

To register a company in the UK, this:

• Must be a physical address in the UK (in the same UK jurisdiction your company is registered, England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland).
• Can’t be a PO Box, even if it has a full street address attached to it.

You can use a UK virtual address (like those provided by UK Postbox or other mail forwarding services) as long as it meets the following:

• It’s a real, physical location (not just a PO Box).
• The address provider allows you to receive official mail (HMRC, Companies House, etc.).
• You have permission to use it as a registered office.

What can our Business Addresses be used for?

Our Business Address Service is suited to all types of company structures, whether you’re a sole trader, partnership, limited company or PLC.

Uses of our business addresses:

• Correspondence Address - to give to suppliers for inbound mail
• Business Trading Address - to use on marketing materials and stationery
• Registered Office Address - for incorporated businesses
• Directors’ Service Address - to protect your privacy at home

Why choose UK Postbox for your Registered Office Address?

UK Postbox helps businesses stay compliant, secure, and protected.

We offer fully compliant UK virtual office addresses that meet Companies House criteria. Whether you’re a sole trader, partnership, limited company, or PLC, our services help you:

• Protect your privacy with a Director’s Service Address.
• Ensure official mail is handled securely and professionally.
• Use our address as your Registered Office or Trading Address.
• Maintain a UK presence even if operating remotely or overseas.

From 2024, Companies House and Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are required to verify address details. UK Postbox addresses meet these standards, providing full traceability and compliance.

FAQs about Companies House registered offices

Q: Can I use a PO Box for my Registered Office Address?

A: No. Companies House requires a physical UK address. UK Postbox provides real addresses, accepted for official use.

Q: Can I use a UK Postbox street address for both my Registered Office Address and Directors Service Address?

A: Yes, you can. UK Postbox provides real UK street addresses that meet Companies House requirements for both Registered Office and Director’s Service Addresses. This helps you keep your address private and allows you to manage your official mail online from anywhere in the world.

Q: Do I need to verify with Companies House for each company I’m involved in?

A: No. Once verified, your personal code links to all company roles you hold.

Q: How much does it cost to verify?

A: GOV.UK verification is free. ACSPs may charge, depending on services offered.