closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Purchasing dormant companies

  1. #1
    Apprentice
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    London, England
    Posts
    20

    Purchasing dormant companies

    Just wondering if anyone has bought a dormant company (UK Registered) before? I'm looking at setting up a part time services company and was hoping to just buy a dormant company.

    I've been on Google and my first guess was that I'd have to buy them off HMRC or some other public sector organisation, but it seems like there are lists and lists of websites selling them.

    1. First things first - are these legit?
    2. Has anyone done this and had any trouble? Or recommend the best place to buy them?
    3. Any things to watch out for or be cautious of?

    Cheers,
    John

  2. #2
    Master draftsmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Malta and sometimes bits of Brit
    Posts
    5,053
    Unless you have a really good reason I wouldn't recommend it. Set up a new clean company with no history and no possible past issues to come back and bite you.

  3. #3
    Apprentice
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    London, England
    Posts
    20
    Thanks, I'll have a look into a new start-up but thought buying a previously set up company may be cheaper/quicker.

    I guess trouble/risk-free is best!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Thanks, I'll have a look into a new start-up but thought buying a previously set up company may be cheaper/quicker.

    I guess trouble/risk-free is best!

  4. #4
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    London
    Posts
    8,611
    Blog Entries
    6
    It's not expensive to set up a new company. From memory, it cost me around £650 or so last time.

  5. #5
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Northern Ireland
    Posts
    6,756
    You can do it for £20 online.

    My accountant did mine for £200, which included the paperwork required to transfer all the assets from my sole trader business into the new Ltd company.

  6. #6
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Mid Glamorgan
    Posts
    5,478
    Haven't done it myself but a mate of mine bought the name of a company that was still trading (but had left the name go dormant) and it's causing him all sorts of headaches.
    The previous owner of the company is now chasing him for money for rental of land and a radio mast, even though he only bought the company name and not the company itself.

  7. #7
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
    Posts
    1,220
    Ther are lots of companies that will do the admin for you, automated systems so very cheap.
    This was the first result on Google:
    https://www.companiesmadesimple.com

    I just googled "start a new company".

    I've used services like the above before and it's very simple.

  8. #8
    Buying a company with previous history needs thorough due diligence as you will purchase all historic liabilities as well as current assets. Very much best avoided if possible. Start clean and fresh. Most law firms have companies ready set-up to purchase.

    It's worth a little expenditure to make sure it's done right. A couple of hundred quid spent now could save you a headache in future.

  9. #9
    You can do it yourself, it costs buttons and there is no come back from any past activity.

    We use a company called Dudleymiles, although many others are available, they do the job quickly & effectivly.

  10. #10
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Corona Borealis
    Posts
    6,965
    Just start a new one on companies house website...

  11. #11
    Master stoneyloon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Sunny Stoney by the Sea!
    Posts
    3,438
    I used www.blueskyformations.co.uk, cost pennies and I had the company registration certificate in the same day.

  12. #12
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Harrow
    Posts
    4,410
    Yes - just set up through the on line formations companies - cost around £15. Check that the domain name is available as well, so you can have emails come in, even if you do not set up the matching website. "co.uk" emails will cost £0.99p. So all in nothing. If you don't use it initially, then £15 to companies house for a dormant company. Of course your name and address will then go into the public domain though!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information