Before you move

  1. Decide your registered office. Public on Companies House — many directors use a service address instead of their home.
  2. Check business rates eligibility. Small business rate relief may apply at the new address; you usually have to apply.
  3. Plan the IT cutover. Bookkeeping, payroll and accounting software access shouldn't be lost in transit.
  4. Tell your accountant. A move can affect VAT, payroll and rates — better to discuss before than after.

On moving day

  1. Keep receipts. Removal costs, dilapidations, re-fit and professional fees may be deductible.
  2. Protect your records. Don't lose paper records in a van — better, scan and store digitally first.
  3. Test connectivity. Bank, accounting software, video calls — anything you rely on the first day.

First week — update everything

  1. Companies House (AD01) — change of registered office. Updates within 24 hours of online filing.
  2. HMRC — Corporation Tax via your online account.
  3. HMRC — Self Assessment for each director/partner.
  4. HMRC — VAT within 30 days of change of business address.
  5. HMRC — PAYE so payslip correspondence lands in the right place.
  6. Pension provider — if you have workplace pensions.
  7. Bank, card-on-file and merchant processor — AVS failures can hit fast.
  8. Insurance — business, professional indemnity, public liability.
  9. Customers & suppliers — at minimum update invoice footers.
  10. Online listings — Google Business Profile, directories, your own website.
Two commonly missed updates

VAT and PAYE addresses are tracked separately by HMRC. People remember to update Corporation Tax but forget these two — and a year later, post lands at the old address.

Registered office options

Your registered office must be a physical UK address. You don't have to use the building you trade from. Many directors use a service address — a registered office service provided by an accountant or specialist company. Cheap, simple, keeps your home off the public record. IGI offers this to clients at a nominal fee.

Printable move checklist

Print this and tick as you go

If you'd like us to handle the Companies House and HMRC updates for you, get a quote — most of it is included in your plan.

  1. Confirm new address and registered office plan
  2. Check business rates relief at new address
  3. Keep removal receipts
  4. File Companies House AD01
  5. Update HMRC: Corporation Tax
  6. Update HMRC: Self Assessment
  7. Update HMRC: VAT (within 30 days)
  8. Update HMRC: PAYE
  9. Update pension provider
  10. Update bank, card-on-file, payment processor
  11. Update insurance
  12. Update invoice footers and customer-facing materials
  13. Update online listings & Google Business Profile