Strike-off notices and how to spot a customer about to disappear

If a company you are owed money by is struck off the Companies House register, it is dissolved: it no longer legally exists. That can leave an unpaid invoice with nobody obviously responsible for it. The good news is that strike-off comes with public warning, and creditors have a way to object. This guide covers what to look for and what you can do. It describes the Companies House process.

Two routes to strike-off

Compulsory strike-off is started by the registrar of companies, not the company. GOV.UK says Companies House starts it when there is reasonable cause to believe a company is no longer carrying on business. Examples given include outstanding documents with no response to Companies House letters, post returned undelivered, or a company with no directors. Where accounts or confirmation statements are missing, GOV.UK says the company typically receives two letters before a notice is published in The Gazette. Section 1000 of the Companies Act 2006 sets out a similar letter sequence, with 14-day response periods, before the Gazette notice.

Voluntary strike-off is started by the directors. A majority of directors applies, or a sole director does. GOV.UK says the company must not, in the previous three months, have traded, changed its name or disposed of assets for value, and must not be subject to insolvency proceedings. Directors must tell creditors (and others, including shareholders and employees) within seven days of applying. GOV.UK says failing to do this is an offence.

In both cases the register shows a public trail, so it is worth watching.

The First Gazette notice and the wait

Once Companies House is ready to proceed, it publishes a notice in The Gazette. This is often called the First Gazette notice. HMRC's internal guidance, published on GOV.UK, says a company with this notice shows a register status of "Active - Proposal to Strike Off".

Under sections 1000 and 1003 of the Companies Act 2006, the registrar must wait for a period of two months from the date of the notice before striking the company off. GOV.UK's voluntary strike-off guidance describes the same two-month wait. Companies House has also said that removal is typically within two months, but in some cases it can be within 28 days. We could not verify the circumstances for the shorter period, so check the date stated on the notice itself.

After the wait, a second (final) Gazette notice is published and the company is dissolved.

How a creditor can object

Companies House lets creditors, shareholders and other interested parties object once the Gazette notice is published, and before the company is struck off. What you need to know:

• You need evidence, for example invoices or other documents showing the company owes you money.
• The quickest route is online through a Companies House account. Objections by email or post must arrive at least two weeks before the strike-off date.
• Supporting documents must be less than six months old and under 4MB, in image, Excel, Word or PDF format.
• If your objection succeeds, the company will not be struck off for a further six months. Before that period ends, contact Companies House if you need more time. It expects to see real progress, such as legal proceedings started, rather than just invoices sent.

An objection buys time; it does not collect the debt. Use the time to pursue payment properly and take advice.

What happens to debts and assets after dissolution

When a company is dissolved, its property generally passes to the Crown as bona vacantia, which means ownerless property (section 1012 of the Companies Act 2006). Property the company held on trust for someone else is excluded. GOV.UK also says the company's bank account is frozen and any remaining money goes to the government.

The legislation also says that dissolution does not end the liability of the company's directors, officers and members, which can still be enforced as if the company had not been dissolved. Whether that helps you in practice depends on the facts, so that is a point for a solicitor.

Restoration exists

A struck-off company can sometimes be put back on the register. GOV.UK describes two routes.

• Administrative restoration (through Companies House) is limited to a director or member at the time of strike-off, and is not available where directors applied for voluntary strike-off.
• Court restoration has a wider group of applicants. GOV.UK lists creditors among those who can apply, and section 1029 of the Companies Act 2006 also lists creditors.

Both routes generally have a six-year limit from dissolution (there is an exception for personal injury claims in court restoration). A restored company is treated as though it had never been struck off, which is why restoration can matter to an unpaid creditor. It takes time and legal costs, so it is a last resort rather than a plan.

Quick checklist

1. Look up any customer or supplier you depend on and check the status on the register.
2. Search The Gazette for the company name.
3. If there is a First Gazette notice, note the date and gather your invoices and evidence straight away.
4. Decide on objecting, at least two weeks before the strike-off date if not online.
5. Take advice on recovery, and stop extending credit.

Making it routine

Try our free Company check on any customer you are unsure about. If you want alerts for strike-off notices and status changes on the companies you rely on, you can sign up and watch five companies for free.

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• Companies Act 2006, section 1000 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Companies Act 2006, section 1003 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Companies Act 2006, section 1012 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Companies Act 2006, section 1029 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Companies House to resume compulsory strike off process (GOV.UK)
• Striking off or dissolving a limited company (GOV.UK)
• Strike off your company: apply (GOV.UK)
• Object to a limited company being struck off (GOV.UK)
• Object to a strike-off: after you object (GOV.UK)
• Apply to object to a company being struck off (Companies House)
• Objecting to a company being struck off is now easier (Companies House blog)
• Restoring a company to the Companies House register (GOV.UK)
• HMRC manual COM42200: potential strike offs (GOV.UK)

Updated 30 September 2026 · All guides