What is a PSC and who counts as one for your limited company

When you set up a limited company in the UK, you're legally required to identify and register anyone who has significant control over your business. This information goes on the Person with Significant Control (PSC) register, which becomes part of your company's public record at Companies House.

Many new directors are surprised to discover that personal details about company controllers become publicly accessible online. Understanding who counts as a PSC, what information you must file, and how to protect your privacy is essential for any business owner.

This guide explains the PSC requirements in detail, covering the 25% ownership threshold that triggers PSC status, what information appears on the public register, and practical steps you can take to maintain your address privacy whilst staying compliant with the law.

Who qualifies as a Person with Significant Control

A person with significant control is anyone who meets one or more of five specific conditions set out in the Companies Act 2006. The most common trigger is owning more than 25% of the company's shares or voting rights.

The five PSC conditions are:

1. Holding more than 25% of shares in the company
2. Holding more than 25% of voting rights in the company
3. Having the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors
4. Having significant influence or control over the company
5. Having significant influence or control over a trust or firm that meets any of the other conditions

Most small limited companies have PSCs because the founders typically own more than 25% of the shares. If you're a sole director owning 100% of your company, you're automatically a PSC. Even in partnerships where ownership is split evenly, each partner with 25% or more becomes a PSC.

The "significant influence or control" condition catches situations where someone doesn't technically own 25% but still controls major decisions. We recommend consulting a solicitor or accountant for advice specific to your situation if you're unsure whether someone qualifies as a PSC.

What information goes on the PSC register at Companies House

Every limited company must maintain a PSC register and file this information with Companies House. Once filed, most PSC details become publicly searchable online through the Companies House website.

The required information for each PSC includes:

Personal details:

• Full name
• Date of birth (month and year only on public record)
• Nationality
• Country of residence
• Service address

Control information:

• Which PSC conditions they meet
• Date they became a PSC
• Date they ceased to be a PSC (if applicable)

The service address is particularly important because this becomes publicly visible. Many PSCs initially use their home address, not realising this will appear in public searches. Anyone can look up your company and see where correspondence should be sent to you personally.

Companies must update PSC information within 14 days of any changes and file these updates with Companies House within the same timeframe. Failure to maintain accurate PSC records can result in fines for both the company and its officers.

PSC address privacy and protection options

Your PSC service address appears on the public Companies House register, making it visible to customers, competitors, creditors, and anyone else who searches for your company. This creates obvious privacy and security concerns for many business owners.

Fortunately, you don't have to use your home address as your PSC service address. You can use any address where you can reliably receive correspondence, including:

• A professional business address
• A registered office address service
• An accountant's or solicitor's office
• A family member's address (with their permission)

The key requirement is that mail sent to this address reaches you reliably, as Companies House and other official bodies will use it for important correspondence.

Some PSCs may qualify for address protection through Companies House's confidentiality provisions, but these apply only in exceptional circumstances involving serious risk of violence or intimidation. For most business owners, using an alternative service address is the practical solution for maintaining privacy.

Changing your PSC address is straightforward through Companies House forms, but remember that both the old and new addresses will appear in the public filing history unless you're eligible for address suppression.

Ongoing PSC compliance requirements

Maintaining accurate PSC records isn't a one-time task. Companies must actively monitor and update PSC information whenever changes occur, including new shareholders reaching the 25% threshold or existing PSCs transferring shares.

Key ongoing obligations include:

Regular reviews: Check your PSC register whenever share ownership changes, new investors join, or existing shareholders transfer shares. Even small share transfers can push someone above or below the 25% threshold.

Timely updates: File PSC changes with Companies House within 14 days. This includes new PSCs joining, existing PSCs leaving, and changes to PSC details like addresses.

Annual confirmations: Your confirmation statement (filed annually) must confirm your current PSC information is accurate. This provides a regular checkpoint to catch any missed updates.

Companies House has significant penalties for PSC non-compliance, including fines up to £5,000 for companies and up to £1,000 for individual officers. More seriously, persistent non-compliance can lead to criminal prosecution and disqualification as a company director.

Keep detailed records of when PSC changes occur and when you file updates with Companies House. This documentation proves compliance if questions arise later.

How Basely Virtual helps

Using your home address as your PSC service address puts your personal privacy at risk, as this information appears permanently on the public Companies House register. Basely Virtual provides professional service addresses across the UK that you can use as your PSC address, keeping your home address private.

Our address services include same-day mail scanning, so you'll know immediately when important correspondence arrives. We monitor address health to ensure your chosen address remains compliant with Companies House requirements, and our team understands the specific needs of PSC address management.

Whether you need a prestigious London address for your PSC register or a cost-effective UK address, our service keeps your personal information private whilst ensuring you receive all official correspondence promptly. You can start with a 14-day free trial at baselyvirtual.co.uk with no card required.

Conclusion

The PSC register is a legal requirement that affects virtually every UK limited company, making your personal details publicly accessible online. Understanding who qualifies as a person with significant control and taking steps to protect your address privacy should be priorities when setting up your company.

Using a professional service address for your PSC register entry protects your home address whilst ensuring compliance with Companies House requirements. Review your current PSC arrangements and consider whether your personal privacy needs better protection.