Strike-off objections go online only from 1 December 2026

Key takeaways

From 1 December 2026, objections to a limited company being struck off must be made through Companies House's online "Make an objection" service; email objections will no longer be accepted.
You need a Companies House account, the company number and digital supporting documents to object online.
Each supporting document must be less than 6 months old, under 4MB, and show the company's full name including "limited" or "ltd".
You can only object after the proposed strike-off has been published in The Gazette, and you must object before the strike-off date, which is 2 months or 28 days after the notice.
If your objection succeeds, the company will not be struck off for another 6 months.
If you cannot use the online service, or need support because of a disability or health condition, contact Companies House; an email or postal objection must arrive at least 2 weeks before the strike-off date.

From 1 December 2026, Companies House will only accept objections to a company being struck off through its online “Make an objection” service. It will no longer accept objections by email. Creditors, shareholders and accountants who object on behalf of clients need a Companies House account and digital evidence ready before that date.

What is changing on 1 December 2026?

Email objections end on 1 December 2026, and the online service becomes the standard route. Companies House announced the change on 1 September 2026 and said it should make objecting “easier, quicker and more secure”, as part of its digital transformation work.

The Companies House announcement does not say what happens to email objections sent before 1 December. If you have one in progress, check that Companies House has acknowledged it.

Who can object to a strike-off?

Shareholders and other interested parties, such as creditors, can object. You need a reason to keep the company on the register, for example a legal claim against it or a debt it owes you.

Typical objectors include:

trade creditors with unpaid invoices
HMRC, for unpaid tax
landlords owed rent
shareholders who were not told about a voluntary strike-off
anyone planning legal action against the company

When can you object?

You can only object after Companies House has published a notice of the proposed strike-off in The Gazette. The notice gives the strike-off date, which is either 2 months or 28 days after the notice.

The 2 month period applies to companies that appear not to be trading, under section 1000 of the Companies Act 2006, and to voluntary strike-off applications. The 28 day period applies where the registrar believes a company was registered on a false basis.

Strike-off type	Earliest strike-off after Gazette notice
Company not trading (compulsory)	2 months
Voluntary application (form DS01)	2 months
Registered on a false basis	28 days

Object as early as you can. Online objections must be in before the strike-off date. Objections by email or post, where allowed, must arrive at least 2 weeks before it.

How to object online

The online objection takes about 5 minutes once your documents are ready.

Find the Gazette notice. Note the company name, company number and strike-off date.
Gather your evidence. Invoices, statements, court papers or correspondence that support your reason.
Check the evidence rules. See the checklist below.
Create or sign in to your Companies House account. You can set one up before you start.
Use the Make an objection service. Enter the company details, give your reason and upload your files.
Keep a record. Save the confirmation and diary the 6 month follow-up date.

Evidence checklist

Companies House rejects documents that do not meet its rules. Each document must:

be an image, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or PDF file
be less than 6 months old
be less than 4MB in size
show the company’s full name, including “limited” or “ltd”
support your reason for objecting, such as an invoice showing money owed

An old invoice can fail the 6 month rule. A recent statement of account or a letter before action can help.

What happens after you object?

If your objection succeeds, Companies House tells you and the company will not be struck off for another 6 months. Use that time to recover the debt or start proceedings.

Before the 6 months end, tell Companies House if you need more time or if the matter is resolved. To get more time you must show progress. Companies House says sending another invoice is unlikely to be enough, while starting legal action to recover a debt may be. If you do not get in touch and the company still meets the conditions, it will be struck off.

What if you cannot use the online service?

Contact Companies House if you cannot object online or need support because of a disability or health condition. GOV.UK says you may then be able to object by email or post. Your objection must arrive at least 2 weeks before the strike-off date.

Which applies to you?

If you are a creditor of a company in a Gazette notice: object online before the strike-off date, with evidence less than 6 months old.
If you are a director and the strike-off is compulsory: you do not object; you file the overdue documents. See compulsory strike-off notice: what to do next.
If you are a director who applied for voluntary strike-off by mistake: withdraw the application rather than objecting.
If the company is already dissolved: an objection is too late. You need restoration, usually by court order.

What advisers should do now

Set up Companies House accounts for anyone in the firm who handles credit control or insolvency work.
Tell clients who chase debts that email objections end on 30 November 2026.
Follow debtor companies on the register. Companies House sends email alerts when a company you follow is proposed for removal.
Check ID verification is done for staff using Companies House services. See the November 2026 ID verification deadline.

More Companies House changes are on our Companies House news hub, and the month’s filing dates are in tax and accounting deadlines for December 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still object to a strike-off by email?

Not from 1 December 2026, unless Companies House agrees an alternative because you cannot use the online service or need support for a disability or health condition. The standard route is the online “Make an objection” service.

What do I need to object online?

You need a Companies House account, the company number of the company being struck off, and digital supporting documents that are less than 6 months old and under 4MB each.

How long does a successful objection delay a strike-off?

Companies House will not strike the company off for another 6 months. You can ask for more time before then if you can show progress, such as starting legal action.

When is the deadline to object?

You must object before the strike-off date in the Gazette notice, which is 2 months or 28 days after the notice. Email or postal objections, where allowed, must arrive at least 2 weeks before that date.

Can I object after the company has been dissolved?

No. Once a company is dissolved, you need to apply to restore it, which for a creditor generally means a court order.

Sources

Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.