Leicester_H Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hi Just wondered if anyone can settle an 'argument'. Someone I know claims that there is no need to register a company name with companies house. He says a simple and inexpensive alternative is to put a letter head and business card into an envelope and post it to yourself before you start trading. Then not open it until absolutely necessary possibly if court action was required!!! I can't see this would stand up in a court - you could post an empty envelope (to get it franked with the date) and then steam it open and put whatever you liked in it, whenever you liked and reseal the envelope. Also, how could you be sure that someone else hadn't already chosen the same company name as you and done the same thing. Anyone KNOW anything about this sort of thing ?? Is this or was this ever 'true' ?? (as above, its purely to settle an argument) H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Personally, I dont think he's right, or why would anyone bother. Anyway, unless you're registered, how do you sort out tax/dividends etc??? Good try though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Registering with Companies House isn't just about registering a name - it's about having a limited company with articles and memorandum, directors, shareholders, company secretary etc. If you don't have all those, then it's not a limited company. Does he mean a trading name? Afraid I think your friend is a bit confused, I don't think posting yourself a letter as he suggests would prove anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 I have no idea about the answer to this... but I do remember my dad telling me years ago about using a letterhead posted to yourself using registered post as a way of proving your company name. But that doesn't mean he's right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 if your starting a Ltd company then you have to register the name but if your stating up as a sole trader i.e. self employed then you don't have to register the name but unless you are useing your own name then there is nothing to stop anybody else from registering that company name I'm in the process of going self employed I've just been waiting for my gaffer to fold the company so as from today I'm now at last redundant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 I'm a Chartered Accountant and basically agree with Olly. People do use the term "company" rather loosely, and there are many forms of business, but a company MUST be registered at Companies House. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 Thanks - that's as I thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
