Voluntary Company Strike-Off (DS01): A Complete Guide to Dissolving a UK Limited Company
A practical guide to voluntary company strike-off in the UK, including who can apply, the three-month eligibility rules, Companies House requirements, creditor objections, company assets and what happens after dissolution.
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1. What Is Voluntary Company Strike-Off?
Voluntary strike-off is a process that allows the directors of an eligible limited company to apply for the company to be removed from the Companies House register.
Once the strike-off process is completed, the company is dissolved and stops existing as a legal entity.
Voluntary strike-off is generally intended for companies that can be closed without a formal insolvency or liquidation process.
2. Can My Company Apply for Voluntary Strike-Off?
Before applying to dissolve a limited company voluntarily, the directors should make sure the company meets the legal eligibility conditions.
No trading in the previous 3 months
The company must not have traded or carried on business during the restricted period before the strike-off application.
No company name change in the previous 3 months
A recent change of company name can prevent a voluntary strike-off application being made immediately.
No insolvency proceedings
The company must not be subject to, or proposed to be subject to, relevant insolvency proceedings.
No prohibited creditor arrangement
Strike-off is not the appropriate route where the company is subject to certain arrangements with creditors.
It is an offence to make a dishonest strike-off application. If the company is insolvent or cannot pay its creditors, professional advice should be taken before applying.
3. What Should You Do Before Applying?
Closing a company involves more than submitting a strike-off application. Directors should first bring the company's affairs to an appropriate conclusion.
- Stop trading and complete any permitted winding-down activities.
- Deal with employees, payroll and pensions where applicable.
- Settle creditors and collect money owed to the company.
- Deal with company assets before dissolution.
- Deal with HMRC, accounts and tax obligations where required.
- Close the company bank account at the appropriate point.
4. Company Assets, Debts and Tax Before Dissolution
Directors should deal with company money, property, intellectual property, domain names and other assets before the company is dissolved.
Any property or money still belonging to the company when it is dissolved may become bona vacantia and pass to the Crown. The company's bank account will also be frozen once dissolution takes effect.
Do not leave money in the company. This can include cash in the bank and future payments or refunds that are still due to the company.
5. How to Close a Company with Experlu
Experlu's voluntary strike-off service provides a simple route for eligible companies that want help preparing and submitting the closure application.
Find your company
Search for your company and answer a few questions so we can check whether voluntary strike-off appears appropriate.
Buy the fixed-fee service
Complete checkout and provide the information required to prepare the strike-off application.
Expert prepares the application
An Experlu Expert reviews the information and prepares the voluntary strike-off filing.
Approve and submit
The required directors approve the application and it is submitted to Companies House.
6. What Happens After the Strike-Off Application?
Companies House reviews the application
The registrar checks the application before the strike-off process proceeds.
A notice is published in The Gazette
The proposed voluntary strike-off becomes publicly visible and interested parties have an opportunity to object.
Objection period
The company will not normally be dissolved until at least two months after publication of the Gazette notice.
Final dissolution
If there is no reason to stop the process, a second Gazette notice confirms that the company has been dissolved.
7. Can Someone Object to a Company Strike-Off?
Yes. Creditors, HMRC and other interested parties may object to a proposed strike-off where there is a legitimate reason for the company to remain on the register.
An objection may suspend or stop the process while the relevant matter is dealt with.
A copy of the strike-off application must be provided to specified interested parties within 7 days of making the application.
8. What Happens After a Company Is Dissolved?
Once dissolved, the company no longer exists as a legal entity. It cannot normally trade, enter contracts or operate its bank account.
Where something important was left unresolved, restoring the company to the register may be necessary before certain matters can be dealt with.
9. Common Voluntary Strike-Off Mistakes
- Applying before the company has stopped trading for the required period.
- Leaving money, intellectual property or other assets in the company.
- Trying to use strike-off where the company cannot pay its debts.
- Forgetting to deal with HMRC and final tax obligations.
- Failing to send a copy of the strike-off application to affected parties.
- Assuming acceptance of the application means the company has already been dissolved.
10. Voluntary Company Strike-Off FAQs
What is voluntary company strike-off?
Voluntary strike-off is a process through which eligible directors ask Companies House to remove a company from the register. Once the process is completed, the company is dissolved and no longer exists as a legal entity.
How long does voluntary strike-off take?
After Companies House accepts the application, a notice is normally published in the relevant Gazette. If there is no reason to delay or stop the process, dissolution cannot take place until at least two months after that notice.
Can a company with debts apply for strike-off?
Strike-off should not be used as a substitute for an appropriate insolvency procedure. Companies with unpaid creditors or financial difficulties should assess whether strike-off is legally appropriate before applying.
Do I need to close the company bank account first?
Company assets should be dealt with before dissolution. Once a company is dissolved, its bank account will be frozen and remaining money or other assets can pass to the Crown.
Can someone object to a voluntary strike-off?
Yes. Creditors and other interested parties may object where they have legitimate grounds. An objection can delay or stop the strike-off process.
Can a voluntary strike-off application be withdrawn?
Yes. If the company changes its mind or no longer meets the eligibility conditions, the application should be withdrawn promptly.
11. Close Your Limited Company with Experlu
If voluntary strike-off is appropriate, an Experlu Expert can help check the information, prepare the application and submit the company closure filing through a clearly scoped fixed-fee service.