When must a property company file its accounts at Companies House, and what if it’s late?
Last checked against the sources on
A private limited company must file its annual accounts at Companies House within 9 months of the end of its financial year. Filing late brings an automatic penalty of £150 to £1,500 depending on how late, and failing to deliver acceptable accounts on time is also a criminal offence for the directors.
The deadline
For a private company the deadline is 9 months from the company’s accounting reference date, the last day of its financial year. GOV.UK counts the day the accounts are received by Companies House, not the day they are sent, and a deadline that falls on a Sunday or bank holiday still applies. The first accounts have their own rule: if they cover more than 12 months, the deadline is 21 months from incorporation, or 3 months from the accounting reference date if that is later.
The late filing penalties for a private company
- £150 if up to 1 month late
- £375 if more than 1 month and up to 3 months late
- £750 if more than 3 months and up to 6 months late
- £1,500 if more than 6 months late
The penalty is charged to the company automatically. Separately, GOV.UK says failure to deliver acceptable accounts on time is a criminal offence, and directors risk prosecution, with an unlimited fine for each offence on conviction.
How SPV Accounts helps
SPV Accounts prepares the accounts so the directors can approve them well before the 9 months are up. Directors approve online, so nobody has to meet.
Sources
General information checked against GOV.UK, not personal advice.