Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK)
[Company Name]
Company Number: [Company Number]
Registered Office: [Registered Office Address]
[Letter Date]
The Registrar of Companies
Companies House
Crown Way
Cardiff
CF14 3UZ
Re: Application to Strike Off — [Company Name] (Company Number: [Company Number])
Dear Sir or Madam,
I write on behalf of the directors of [Company Name] (company number [Company Number], registered office at [Registered Office Address]) to submit the enclosed Form DS01 — Application to Strike Off a Limited Company from the Register — pursuant to section 1003 of the Companies Act 2006.
We confirm the following:
- The Company has not traded or otherwise carried on business since [Cessation Date], which is more than three months before the date of this application.
- The Company has not changed its name within the three months preceding this application.
- The Company is not subject to any insolvency proceeding (including administration, voluntary arrangement, receivership, or winding-up).
- All outstanding liabilities of the Company, including any amounts owed to HMRC, have been settled.
- All remaining assets of the Company have been distributed to the shareholders.
In accordance with section 1004 of the Companies Act 2006, copies of this application have been (or will be) sent within seven days to the following persons: [Notified Parties]
The application is being made by the following directors: [Applying Directors]
Please contact us at [Contact Email] or [Contact Phone] if you require any further information.
Yours faithfully,
[Signatory Name]
Director
For and on behalf of [Company Name]
Enc: Form DS01 (Application to Strike Off)
Director
________________
Signature
What Is a Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK)?
A Company Strike-Off Application Letter in the United Kingdom makes a statutory filing or company-administration record and sets out the particulars the registrar or revenue authority requires, with its requirements set by the Companies Act 2006.
Voluntary strike-off is the most straightforward and cost-effective way to close a UK limited company that has ceased trading, has no outstanding liabilities, and has no remaining assets that need to be formally distributed through a liquidation process. Unlike a Members' Voluntary Liquidation (which requires the appointment of a licensed insolvency practitioner), a voluntary strike-off can be applied for by the directors themselves, without professional assistance, at a cost of £33 (as at 2024 — check Companies House for current fees).
The Directors who sign the DS01 application are certifying to the Registrar of Companies that the company meets the eligibility criteria for voluntary strike-off: that it has not traded or carried on business in the three months before the application; that it has not changed its name in the three months before the application; that it is not subject to any insolvency proceeding; and that it has not disposed of assets in circumstances that would disqualify it from the procedure.
The accompanying cover letter provides a professional presentation of the application, confirms the details of the company, and provides contact information for correspondence from Companies House. It also serves as a record of when the application was submitted and by whom.
The legal framework governing the Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK) in United Kingdom draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Parties executing a Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK) in United Kingdom should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies Act 2006 sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK)?
A Strike-Off Application Letter is needed when the directors of a UK limited company have decided to close the company and wish to apply to Companies House for voluntary dissolution under section 1003 of the Companies Act 2006.
The most common situations in which a strike-off application is needed include: the company has ceased trading and the directors have decided it is no longer needed; the company was formed as a vehicle for a specific project that has now been completed; the company is dormant and has been dormant for some time, and the directors see no prospect of it resuming business; the shareholders have decided to exit the business and have arranged a sale or transfer of the business assets, leaving a shell company that needs to be wound down; and the company's sole director and shareholder wishes to retire and close the company.
Before making a strike-off application, the directors should confirm that: all outstanding debts and liabilities (including to HMRC, employees, suppliers, and creditors) have been paid; all company assets have been distributed to shareholders or otherwise dealt with; all final tax returns (corporation tax, VAT, PAYE) have been filed and any outstanding tax paid; all Companies House filings (confirmation statements, accounts) are up to date; and the company has not traded in the three months immediately before the application.
If the company has significant assets or complex affairs, a Members' Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) may be more appropriate than a voluntary strike-off. Professional tax and legal advice should be sought before making the application.
Parties in United Kingdom should prepare a Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK)
A well-drafted Company Strike-Off Application Letter should include the following key elements.
Company identification: The full registered name of the company as it appears on the Companies House register, and the company's registration number.
Description of application: A clear statement that the letter accompanies Form DS01 (Application to Strike Off a Limited Company from the Register) and that the directors are applying for voluntary dissolution under section 1003 of the Companies Act 2006.
Eligibility confirmation: A statement confirming that the company meets the eligibility criteria for voluntary strike-off — specifically that it has not traded or otherwise carried on business in the three months before the application, has not changed its name in that period, and is not subject to any insolvency procedure.
Details of signing directors: The names of the directors who have signed the DS01 application form and in whose names the application is being made. The DS01 must be signed by a majority of the company's directors.
Notification confirmation: A statement confirming that copies of the application have been sent (or will be sent within seven days) to all required parties as specified in section 1004 of the Companies Act 2006, including members, creditors, and employees.
Contact details: A contact name, address, and email address for Companies House correspondence.
Date and signature: The date of the letter and the signature of the authorised director or agent.
Additional compliance elements for a Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK) used in United Kingdom include: Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for United Kingdom-compliant documentation.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Company Strike-Off Application Letter (UK) (United Kingdom)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/corporate/strike-off-application-letter-uk}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Companies Act 2006}
}Frequently Asked Questions
Voluntary strike-off is the process by which the directors of a company registered in England and Wales apply to the Registrar of Companies to have the company removed from the Companies House register, effectively dissolving the company. The procedure is governed by sections 1003–1011 of the Companies Act 2006. To be eligible for voluntary strike-off, the company must not have traded or otherwise carried on business during the three months before the application; must not have changed its name in the three months before the application; must not be subject to any insolvency procedure (including administration, receivership, or winding up); and must not have made a disposal for value of property that, immediately before ceasing to trade, it held for the purpose of disposal for gain in the normal course of trading or otherwise carried on business. The application is made using Form DS01, which must be signed by a majority of the company's directors. A copy of the application must be sent to specified parties (including shareholders, creditors, employees, and relevant regulatory bodies) within seven days. If no objections are received, Companies House will publish a notice of the proposed strike-off in the Gazette and, if no objections are raised within three months, the company will be struck off and dissolved.
Under section 1004 of the Companies Act 2006, the directors who make the application for voluntary strike-off must send a copy of the application (Form DS01) within seven days to: every member (shareholder) of the company; every person who is a creditor of the company at the time the application is made; every manager or trustee of a pension fund established for the benefit of employees of the company; any employees of the company; every director of the company who has not signed the application; and any manager or trustee of a pension fund. Failure to notify required parties is a criminal offence under section 1006 of the Companies Act 2006, for which the directors making the application may be prosecuted and fined. If a creditor objects to the strike-off because they have an outstanding claim against the company, they may apply to Companies House to withdraw the application or seek a court order to prevent the dissolution. Companies House will also reject an application if it becomes aware that the company does not meet the eligibility criteria.
The tax implications of dissolving a UK company are significant and should be addressed before applying for voluntary strike-off. Any outstanding tax liabilities — including corporation tax, VAT, PAYE, and National Insurance — must be settled with HMRC before the company is dissolved. The company should file its final corporation tax return (CT600) and financial accounts for the period up to cessation of trading. HMRC should be notified of the company's intention to dissolve. Any remaining assets in the company at the time of dissolution become 'bona vacantia' (ownerless property) and vest in the Crown. To avoid this, all company assets should be distributed to shareholders before the dissolution application is made. Distributions of retained profits before dissolution may be treated as distributions (dividends) subject to income tax. Alternatively, if the total distribution does not exceed £25,000, it may be treated as a capital distribution subject to capital gains tax (potentially attracting Business Asset Disposal Relief at 10% for qualifying shareholders). For distributions above £25,000, a Members' Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) is usually more tax-efficient than a strike-off. Directors and shareholders should take professional tax advice before deciding which dissolution method to use.
Yes. A company that has been struck off the Companies House register can be restored to the register in certain circumstances. There are two main restoration routes. Administrative restoration (under sections 1024–1028 of the Companies Act 2006) is available where the company was struck off by Companies House of its own motion (for example, due to failure to file accounts or confirmation statements) rather than by voluntary strike-off. A director or former director can apply for administrative restoration by completing Form RT01, paying a fee, and providing confirmation that the company was carrying on business or in need of restoration. Court restoration (under sections 1029–1032) is available in a wider range of circumstances and allows any former member, former director, or any other person with an interest in the matter to apply to the court for an order restoring the company to the register. A court order may be obtained, for example, to enable assets owned by the company at the time of dissolution (which became bona vacantia) to be recovered, or to pursue or defend legal proceedings in the company's name. Restoration is subject to conditions, including paying all outstanding filing fees and penalties.
Voluntary strike-off and winding up (also called liquidation) are two different ways of closing a UK company, and the appropriate method depends on the company's financial position and circumstances. Voluntary strike-off (DS01 application) is a simple, low-cost administrative procedure suitable for solvent companies that have ceased trading, have no significant liabilities, and wish to be dissolved. It does not involve the appointment of a liquidator. The main disadvantage is that all assets must be distributed before the application or they will vest in the Crown. Winding up can be either voluntary or compulsory. Members' Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) is a formal insolvency procedure initiated by the shareholders of a solvent company. A licensed insolvency practitioner is appointed as liquidator to realise the company's assets and distribute the proceeds to creditors and shareholders in a tax-efficient manner. MVL is more expensive than a strike-off but may be more appropriate for companies with significant retained assets or complex affairs. Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) is used for insolvent companies. Compulsory winding up is ordered by a court, typically on a creditor's petition. For straightforward cases involving a small, solvent, asset-light company that has ceased trading, voluntary strike-off is usually the quickest and cheapest solution.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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