Every UK limited company has a public record. Before you send another reminder, spend five minutes on the Companies House register. It will confirm who owes you the money, whether that company is still active and whether anything is happening that should change your plans.

Find the right entity

Trading names and registered names are often different. “Bright Kitchens” might be Bright Kitchens (Southern) Ltd, or a sole trader using a company-sounding name. Search by the name on your purchase order or contract, then check the registered office address and the company number against anything the customer has sent you, such as an email footer or a previous payment.

Once you have the eight-character company number, keep it. It identifies the debtor precisely, and it is the first thing our enquiry form asks for.

Company status

  • Active. The company exists and can be pursued in the normal way.
  • Active, proposal to strike off. The directors have applied to dissolve the company. A creditor can object to Companies House while the application is pending, and should, with evidence of the debt.
  • In administration or liquidation. An insolvency practitioner is in control. You will usually need to submit a claim to them as a creditor rather than chase the company directly.
  • Dissolved. The company no longer exists. Recovering money from a dissolved company generally means applying to restore it first, which is a specialist job and not always worthwhile.

Filing history

The filing history is a timeline of what the company has told the register. Look for:

  • Accounts or confirmation statements that are overdue, which can be an early sign of trouble.
  • A recent change of registered office, especially to an accountant’s address or a virtual office.
  • A notice of intention to dissolve, an appointment of a liquidator or administrator, or a notice of a winding-up order.
  • A change of name, which can be a sign that the business is carrying on under a fresh identity.

Most documents can be opened and read for free, so you can see the detail rather than guessing.

Officers and charges

The “People” tab shows the current directors and those who have resigned. A wave of resignations, or a director you have never heard of, is worth noting. The register also shows whether a director has been disqualified.

The “Charges” tab lists lenders and others with security over the company’s assets. If the company fails, secured creditors are paid ahead of ordinary trade creditors, so a company with heavy charges and late accounts deserves more urgency, not less.

The Gazette

Winding-up petitions, winding-up orders and strike-off notices are published in The Gazette. A search by company name shows whether another creditor has already started formal proceedings. If a first Gazette notice for strike-off has appeared, there is a short window to object before the company is removed from the register.

What to do with what you find

  • Active and trading normally: a clear written demand and, if that fails, a recovery partner, are sensible next steps.
  • Signs of strain: act promptly. Late payers rarely pay the quiet creditor first.
  • Strike-off proposed: object to Companies House straight away and keep a copy of the objection.
  • Insolvent or dissolved: speak to the insolvency practitioner or take advice before spending more time and money.

Whatever you find, write it down with the date you checked. The register changes, and a recovery partner will want to know what it said when you looked.

Found an active limited company that owes you?

Have the company number ready and tell us about the invoices. We’ll consider whether an introduction to an independent recovery partner is appropriate. Free, with no obligation to proceed.

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This post provides general information, not legal or insolvency advice. No Win No Fee Services makes introductions; independent partners assess and provide recovery services.