If you’re using a property Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to hold or manage your investments, 2025 is a year you’ll want to keep an eye on. Big changes are being rolled out to company regulations in the UK, and they’ll affect how SPVs are run and reported. While SPVs have always come with some compliance responsibilities, what’s coming next takes things to another level.
In light of these changes, having professional company secretarial support—whether in-house or outsourced—can make a real difference. In this article, we’ll break down what’s changing, why it matters for SPV owners, and take PropertySPV’s full company secretary service can help you avoid costly mistakes.
What’s Changing at Companies House?
Companies House is undergoing one of the biggest shake-ups in its history thanks to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The aim? To clean up the UK’s register of companies, stop abuse of the system, and make business ownership more transparent.
So, what does that mean for you as a property SPV owner? A few key things:
· Identity verification will become mandatory for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This isn’t a box-ticking exercise—if verification doesn’t happen, the company might not be able to file or make changes.
· Companies House will be more active in rejecting incorrect or suspicious filings. So, if there’s a mistake or inconsistency, they can bounce it back or ask for supporting documents.
· New rules will apply to registered office addresses. You’ll need to provide an address where official post can be reliably delivered and acknowledged—not just a P.O. box.
· Penalties for non-compliance are increasing. Late filings and incorrect records won’t be tolerated, and enforcement action is expected to rise.
These rules apply to all UK companies, but SPVs—especially those that aren’t actively trading—are at higher risk of falling out of step simply because they’re often overlooked after set-up.
The Role of a Company Secretary
A good company secretary is much more than a form-filler. They keep your SPV compliant and legally sound—quietly managing the behind-the-scenes governance so you don’t have to stress over it.
Their work includes:
· Preparing and filing confirmation statements
· Maintaining the statutory registers
· Drafting resolutions and minutes
· Monitoring compliance deadlines
· Communicating with Companies House
Think of them as the person who makes sure your SPV is in good standing at all times—especially when rules keep changing.
Do You Need a Full Company Secretary Service?
If you only have one or two SPVs and enjoy handling the paperwork yourself, you might not need much support. But if your portfolio is growing—or you simply want to focus on property, not paperwork—outsourcing can be a smart move.
A full company secretary service will take care of everything: filings, registers, resolutions, updates, and reminders. It gives you confidence that your SPVs are fully compliant, without the mental load.
That’s especially useful in 2025, when Companies House is expected to take a much tougher stance on accuracy, verification, and transparency.
