How to cancel Simple and deregister your UK company correctly
Why you might cancel Simple and what you need to know first
Simple is a UK-based company formation and business administration service that acts as your intermediary with Companies House, handling compliance, statutory filings, and registered office requirements. Many business owners use Simple's services long after initial company setup, but circumstances change: your business may have become inactive, you've relocated abroad, merged with another entity, or simply found a more cost-effective solution. Understanding the distinction between cancelling Simple itself and formally dissolving your limited company with Companies House is essential before you take action.
This guide explains your legal rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, walks you through the cancellation process step by step, and clarifies what happens to your company registration once you stop paying Simple's fees. At Yafee, we help thousands of UK business owners navigate this process without incurring unexpected charges or compliance breaches.
The critical difference between cancelling Simple and closing your company
Cancelling your Simple subscription stops your recurring payments immediately. However, this action does not automatically close or deregister your limited company at Companies House. Your company remains registered, and all statutory filing obligations continue. If you want to formally dissolve your company, you must submit a DS01 form (Application to strike off a company from the register) to Companies House as a separate legal process. Many customers are shocked to discover they are still legally responsible for compliance after they stop paying Simple.
What happens to your registered office address
If you use Simple's registered office address service, that address is currently your official business address on record at Companies House. Once you cancel Simple, your company no longer has a valid registered office unless you provide an alternative one. Companies House will issue a warning notice, and your company risks striking off if you do not notify them of a new address within a set timeframe. You must either appoint a new registered office provider, designate a UK director's residential address, or formally dissolve the company through the DS01 process.
Understanding your legal position under UK consumer law
Your rights when cancelling Simple are protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977. These statutes establish your entitlements regarding cancellation, refunds, and service termination.
Your consumer rights and what they mean for you
Your legal position: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have the right to cancel a distance contract (such as a subscription to Simple) within 14 calendar days of purchase, without penalty and without providing a reason. If you cancel after this initial 14-day period, your right to cancel depends on Simple's specific terms and conditions. Many subscription services allow cancellation at any point with notice, though some require a minimum contract period. The Act also guarantees that any service you pay for must be provided with reasonable care and skill; if Simple fails to deliver the service it promised, you may claim damages.
Furthermore, if Simple charges you fees after you have cancelled your subscription, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Consumer Rights Authority consider this unfair contract behaviour. You can escalate disputes through Simple's internal complaints procedure and, if unresolved, refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at no cost.
Refund entitlements and what Simple must pay back
If you cancel within 14 days of purchase, Simple must refund all fees in full. If you cancel after 14 days, Simple may retain fees for services already provided, unless their terms explicitly state otherwise. Yafee recommends checking your original contract terms, as some providers offer pro-rata refunds on annual subscriptions cancelled mid-term. If Simple refuses a refund you believe you are entitled to, you have grounds to escalate via the Financial Ombudsman Service, which handles disputes for authorised financial services providers.
How to cancel Simple: step-by-step instructions
Cancelling Simple requires you to follow a clear procedural sequence to avoid continued billing and ensure your company remains compliant with Companies House requirements.
Step 1: review your current contract and services
Begin by retrieving your most recent invoice from Simple. This document shows every service you are paying for, the renewal date, and the cancellation terms. Log into your Simple account online and check which services are active: registered office address, mail forwarding, compliance reminders, or document filing. Many customers are on bundled packages without realising the full cost. Yafee advises taking a screenshot or PDF of this information before you proceed, as you will need to reference it when contacting Simple and when updating your records at Companies House.
Step 2: prepare your new registered office address or dissolution plan
Before you cancel Simple, decide what will happen to your company registration. You have three options:
- Transfer to a new registered office provider (another company formation service or a registered office agency).
- Designate a UK director's residential address as your registered office (permitted if you have a UK-resident director).
- Formally dissolve your company by submitting a DS01 form to Companies House (only if your company is completely inactive and has no outstanding debts).
If you choose option one or two, you must notify Companies House of the change using form AD01 (Notice of change of registered office address) or form AD02 (Notice of change of registered office details). You can file these forms online via the Companies House portal or by post. Completing this step before or simultaneously with cancelling Simple prevents your company from drifting into non-compliance.
Step 3: contact Simple and request cancellation
Log into your Simple account and locate the cancellation or account management section. Simple typically provides an online cancellation option via your dashboard. If not, contact their customer support team by phone or email. When you submit your cancellation request, clearly state your name, company registration number, and the date you want the cancellation to take effect. Request written confirmation of the cancellation, including the final invoice (if applicable) and the date your subscription ends. Keep this confirmation for your records.
Provide at least 30 days' notice if Simple's contract requires it, or follow their stated notice period. Yafee recommends sending your cancellation request in writing (email with read receipt confirmation) so you have proof of submission. Do not rely solely on phone calls; written communication creates an audit trail.
Step 4: notify companies house of your registered office change
Once you have cancelled Simple and have your new registered office address confirmed, file form AD01 with Companies House. You can do this online via the Companies House filing portal:
- Visit the Companies House website (www.gov.uk/companies-house).
- Log into your company account or create one if you do not already have access.
- Select "File a form" and choose AD01 (Notice of change of registered office address).
- Enter the new registered office address (the address of your new provider or your director's address).
- Pay the filing fee (currently £10 for online filing) using a debit or credit card.
- Submit the form and receive a reference number.
If you are dissolving your company instead, follow the DS01 process. You must complete form DS01 (Application to strike off a company from the register) and submit it to Companies House. This form can be filed online or by post. The postal address for all Companies House correspondence is:
Companies House, The Annex, Cardiff CF14 3UZ.
All post must be sent to the Cardiff office; regional offices no longer accept physical filing as of 4 March 2024. If filing by post, allow 10-15 working days for processing after submission.
Step 5: confirm cancellation and monitor your account
After you have cancelled Simple, monitor your bank account and credit card statements for the next two billing cycles. Verify that no further charges appear. If Simple continues to bill you after your cancellation date, contact them immediately and request a refund, referencing your written cancellation confirmation. If they refuse, escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service within six months of the dispute arising.
Additionally, log into your Simple account after 5-10 working days to confirm it is inactive and shows no pending charges. If you receive any communications from Simple or Companies House regarding non-compliance, act on them promptly. Yafee recommends keeping all cancellation documentation for at least six years, as this may be required if Companies House or a third party queries your company status.
Pricing breakdown and what you are currently paying Simple
Understanding Simple's pricing structure helps you identify cost savings and assess whether cancellation is financially justified.
Simple pricing table and typical annual costs
| Service |
Typical annual cost |
What it covers |
Can you cancel independently? |
| Registered office address |
£30-£60 per year |
Official business address, mail receipt and forwarding |
Yes, with Companies House notification |
| Mail forwarding service |
£40-£80 per year |
Redirect Companies House correspondence |
Yes, independently |
| Compliance reminders |
£20-£40 per year |
Notifications before annual filing deadlines |
Yes, independently |
| Document filing service |
£50-£150 per filing |
Simple prepares and submits accounts or confirmations |
Yes, by filing yourself |
| Combined package |
£80-£200 per year |
Bundle of address, forwarding, and compliance services |
Partial cancellation only |
Most customers operate on a combined package, which represents the best value but locks services together. Before you cancel, calculate your annual spend across all services. If you are paying £150 or more per year but use only one service (such as the registered office address), switching to a cheaper provider or self-management may save hundreds of pounds annually. Yafee helps hundreds of business owners identify overpayment and move to cost-effective alternatives.
What happens after you cancel Simple
Once cancellation is complete, your relationship with Simple ends, but your company remains legally active at Companies House unless you formally dissolve it.
Your company's ongoing compliance obligations
After cancellation, you become responsible for all statutory filings. If your company is active, you must file annual confirmation statements and accounts by the deadline each year. Failure to file results in Companies House issuing a default notice, and your company may eventually be struck off involuntarily, which damages your credit rating and prevents you from acting as a director in the future. If your company is dormant or inactive, you can elect dormancy status and defer some filings, but you must still meet certain criteria and file dormancy notifications.
Addressing your registered office address requirement
Your company must always have a valid registered office address on record. If you do not provide one within the stipulated timeframe after cancelling Simple, Companies House will issue a warning and may initiate strike-off proceedings. Ensure you have already arranged an alternative address (whether with a new provider or at a UK director's residential address) before your cancellation becomes effective. This is the most critical post-cancellation task.
Updating other records and third parties
Notify any relevant third parties of your address change, including HMRC (for tax and VAT purposes), your business bank, insurance providers, and any clients or suppliers who have your company address on file. Update your company information on Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, and any other platforms where your registered office appears. These updates prevent mail being sent to Simple's address and ensure you receive critical correspondence.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Simple
Cancelling Simple safely requires attention to detail, and small oversights can create serious compliance problems. Rest assured that awareness of these pitfalls puts you in a strong position to avoid them.
Mistake 1: cancelling Simple without arranging an alternative registered office
This is the most costly error. Many customers cancel Simple believing their company will close automatically. In reality, their company remains registered and visible at Companies House, but now lacks a valid registered office address. Companies House will issue a default notice, and your company drifts toward involuntary strike-off. Always confirm a replacement registered office (whether with another provider or a UK director's address) before your Simple cancellation takes effect. Yafee recommends completing this transfer 30 days before your cancellation date to ensure overlap and avoid gaps.
Mistake 2: failing to file form AD01 (registered office change notice)
Cancelling Simple and switching to a new provider only takes effect once you file form AD01 with Companies House. If you do not submit this form within the required timeframe, your company's official records still show Simple as your registered office, even though Simple no longer provides the service. This creates a compliance breach. File AD01 online immediately after your cancellation is confirmed, or within 14 days at the latest.
Mistake 3: confusing cancellation with dissolution
Cancelling Simple does not dissolve your company. Dissolution requires a separate DS01 filing with Companies House and is only possible if your company is completely inactive and debt-free. Do not assume your company will disappear from the register once you stop paying Simple. If you truly want to close your company, follow the DS01 dissolution process explicitly. Yafee helps customers clarify this distinction at the outset to prevent wasted time and persistent compliance obligations.
Mistake 4: not keeping written cancellation confirmation
Cancellation by phone call alone leaves no audit trail. Simple may deny they received your cancellation request, and your bank statements alone do not prove you formally cancelled. Always request written confirmation (email from Simple, or a confirmation screen if cancelling online) that states your name, company number, cancellation date, and any refund issued. Save this documentation for at least six years.
Mistake 5: failing to monitor bank charges after cancellation
Some companies continue billing despite a cancellation request due to administrative error or system delays. Check your statements for two billing cycles after cancellation. If charges appear, contact Simple immediately with your cancellation confirmation and request a refund. If Simple refuses, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Yafee advises setting a calendar reminder 30 days post-cancellation to review your bank statement and confirm no further charges have appeared.
Checklist for cancelling Simple safely
Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step and avoid compliance gaps.
| Task |
Timeline |
Responsibility |
Completed? |
| Retrieve current invoice and review services |
Day 1 |
You |
[ ] |
| Arrange alternative registered office address |
Day 1-7 |
You |
[ ] |
| Submit cancellation request to Simple (in writing) |
Day 7 |
You |
[ ] |
| Receive written cancellation confirmation from Simple |
Day 10-14 |
Simple |
[ ] |
| File form AD01 with Companies House |
Day 14-21 |
You |
[ ] |
| Monitor bank account for unwanted charges |
Day 21-60 |
You |
[ ] |
Comparison table: Simple versus alternative providers
If cancelling Simple because of cost or poor service, consider these alternative registered office and compliance providers.
| Provider |
Registered office |
Compliance support |
Annual cost |
Best for |
| Virtual office agencies |
Yes |
Limited |
£50-£120 |
Companies needing address only |
| Accountancy software (Xero, FreeAgent) |
No |
Yes (filing reminders) |
£10-£30 |
DIY filing and accounts prep |
| High-street accountants |
No |
Yes (full compliance) |
£200-£500 |
Growing companies with turnover |
| Self-management (director's home address) |
Yes (director's address) |
Manual (you file directly) |
£0 |
Dormant or inactive companies |
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers identify the best alternative for their situation and budget, ensuring they do not overpay for services they do not use.
Final steps and next actions
Once you have cancelled Simple and filed your registered office change notification with Companies House, your responsibility shifts to managing your company's ongoing compliance directly or through a new provider. Set calendar reminders for annual confirmation statement and account filing deadlines. If you have any outstanding queries with Simple regarding refunds or continued billing, contact the Financial Ombudsman Service if Simple fails to resolve them within eight weeks.
Cancelling Simple is straightforward when you follow a clear process and understand your legal position under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Yafee has guided thousands of UK business owners through this exact procedure, ensuring they avoid compliance pitfalls and unnecessary charges. If you need further guidance on registering a new company, dissolving your current entity, or finding an alternative provider, Yafee's guides and tools are available free on our website at yafee.com. You can also contact Yafee directly for bespoke advice tailored to your company's unique situation. Take action today to stop unwanted charges and ensure your company remains compliant with Companies House requirements.