Manage Simple

How to cancel simple and deregister your UK company correctly

What is simple and why you might need to cancel

Simple is a UK-based company formation and business administration service that helps entrepreneurs register limited companies with Companies House and manage ongoing compliance. When you set up a company through Simple, they act as your intermediary with the Cardiff-based registrar, handling paperwork, filing deadlines, and statutory requirements. Many business owners use Simple's registered office address service, mail forwarding, and compliance reminders long after their initial company formation.

If your business circumstances have changed, you've relocated abroad, merged with another company, or simply no longer need these services, you'll want to understand how to cancel Simple properly. Stopping payments to Simple is straightforward, but actually removing your company from the Companies House register (if that's your goal) requires a separate legal process. At Stopee, we help you navigate both steps so you avoid costly mistakes or continued charges.

Why you might want to cancel simple

You may no longer need Simple's services for several reasons. Your company might be inactive or dormant, you've hired an in-house accountant to handle compliance, you've found a cheaper alternative service, or your business structure has fundamentally changed. Some customers simply don't use Simple's registered office address anymore and can manage Companies House filing independently. Others discover they're paying for bundled services they no longer need.

The difference between cancelling simple and closing your company

This is critical: cancelling your Simple subscription stops you paying their fees, but it does not automatically close or deregister your limited company. Your company remains registered at Companies House with all ongoing compliance obligations intact. If you want to officially dissolve your company, you'll need to submit a DS01 form to Companies House separately. Stopee recommends understanding this distinction before you begin the cancellation process, as many customers are shocked to discover their company is still active after they've stopped paying Simple.

Pricing and what you're currently paying simple

Simple operates a tiered service model with both one-time formation fees and recurring annual charges.

Typical simple pricing structure

Many customers end up on bundled packages without realising how much they're actually paying across the year. Simple often promotes attractive formation prices but makes ongoing revenue from recurring subscriptions. Before you cancel, review your last invoice to see exactly which services you're subscribed to. Stopee recommends taking a screenshot for your records.

What you'll save by cancelling

If you're on a mid-range annual package, you could save £100-£200 per year immediately. However, understand what disappears when you cancel: Simple will no longer receive your Companies House mail, you won't get reminders before filing deadlines, and you'll need to manage your official registered office address separately (which means either notifying Companies House of a new address or arranging alternative commercial registered office provision). Don't cancel if you're actively relying on Simple's reminder system - missed filing deadlines can result in Companies House penalties.

Your consumer rights when cancelling simple

You have specific protections under UK consumer law that apply to Simple's services.

Consumer rights act 2015 and cancellation rights

Simple provides services, not goods, so your rights fall under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If you purchased Simple's services online and haven't yet received their full service (or received it in a significantly degraded form), you have a 14-day cancellation window from the date of purchase. However, once Simple has begun delivering their service (filing your company formation, receiving mail, sending reminders), this statutory right usually expires.

For ongoing subscriptions, you have the right to cancel at any time unless Simple's terms state a fixed contract period. Most company formation services don't enforce long lock-in periods, but check your terms carefully. If Simple's contract requires 12 months' commitment but their service is defective or they've misrepresented their offering, you can dispute the charge through your bank or consumer dispute resolution.

What the consumer rights act 2015 actually protects you against

This Act protects you if Simple has unfairly hidden cancellation terms, charged you without clear consent, or failed to provide the service as described. If you signed up through a deceptive interface or Simple made it deliberately hard to find the cancellation process, you have grounds to dispute charges. Stopee has helped customers recover charges in cases where Simple's terms were buried in legal text or cancellation options were deliberately obscured on their website.

Your bank or building society may also help if Simple charged you after you attempted cancellation. Contact your bank's dispute team and explain that you cancelled the service. Many disputes are resolved in your favour within 30-60 days.

How to cancel simple step by step

Follow these exact steps to cancel your Simple subscription and stop recurring charges.

Cancellation method: online account management

1. Log in to your Simple account using your email address and password
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" on the login page and follow the reset email
   • Keep your login credentials safe for your cancellation confirmation
2. Navigate to your account settings or subscription management section
   • Look for "My account", "Account settings", "Billing", or "Subscriptions" in the main menu
   • Stopee recommends taking a screenshot of your current services before proceeding
3. Find your active subscriptions and identify which services you're paying for
   • You may have multiple active services (registered office, mail forwarding, filing services)
   • Note the renewal date - cancelling before renewal saves you charges for the next period
4. Click "Cancel subscription" or "Stop service" next to each service you wish to end
   • Warning: Some services may be bundled - cancelling one might affect the others or change your pricing
   • Read any cancellation confirmation carefully; some services may attempt to downgrade you to a cheaper plan instead of cancelling
5. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final confirmation button
   • You should receive an immediate on-screen confirmation and an email confirmation within 5-10 minutes
   • If you don't receive an email within 10 minutes, log back in and check whether the cancellation actually processed
6. Save your cancellation confirmation email or screenshot
   • Keep this as proof that you cancelled on a specific date
   • Stopee recommends forwarding this to yourself with "CANCELLATION PROOF" in the subject line

Cancellation method: contact simple by phone

1. Find Simple's current customer support phone number
   • Check your invoice, confirmation email, or Simple's website contact page
   • Have your account number and registered email address ready
2. Call Simple during their business hours (typically 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, UK time)
   • Expect a hold time of 5-15 minutes during peak hours
   • Write down the date, time, and name of the representative you speak with
3. Clearly state: "I want to cancel my Simple subscription"
   • Don't be vague - say "I want to cancel completely" rather than "I want to downgrade"
   • Specify which services you're cancelling (registered office address, mail forwarding, etc.)
4. Confirm the cancellation date and whether you'll receive a final invoice
   • Ask: "Will I be charged again after today?"
   • Clarify whether remaining credit will be refunded or carried forward
5. Request written confirmation via email
   • Ask the representative to send you an email summary of the cancellation
   • Pro tip: Say "Can you email me that confirmation? I need it for my records."

Cancellation method: written request by post or email

1. Compose a clear cancellation email or letter
   • Subject line: "Cancellation of Simple subscription - [Your Name] - [Company Name]"
   • Include your full name, company name, account number, and registered email address
2. State your cancellation request explicitly
   • Write: "I request the immediate cancellation of my Simple subscription, effective from [today's date]"
   • List which specific services you're cancelling (registered office, mail forwarding, etc.)
3. Request written confirmation of cancellation
   • Ask: "Please confirm in writing that my subscription has been cancelled and provide the cancellation date"
   • Ask whether you'll receive a final invoice or refund
4. Send via email to Simple's customer support address
   • Check Simple's website for their official support email
   • Pro tip: Send from the same email address registered to your account
   • Use registered post or email with read receipt if sending by post
5. Keep copies of everything you send
   • Save the email as a draft before sending
   • If posting, keep the receipt and a photocopy of your letter
6. Follow up if you don't receive confirmation within 5 business days
   • Send a follow-up email: "I sent a cancellation request on [date]. Can you confirm receipt and status?"
   • If Simple doesn't respond within 10 days, escalate through your bank's dispute process

What happens to your company after you cancel simple

Cancelling Simple does not cancel your company registration - this is the most important thing to understand.

Your company remains registered at companies house

Once you cancel Simple, your limited company continues to exist at Companies House with all its legal obligations intact. You must still file annual confirmation statements, accounts, and tax returns. If your company is inactive, you can file a dormancy notification, but you cannot avoid filing entirely. Stopee strongly recommends assigning someone within your organisation to manage these deadlines, or transfer them to an accountant or alternative company secretary service.

What you need to do immediately after cancelling simple

You have several urgent tasks once your cancellation takes effect.

1. Update your registered office address at Companies House if you were using Simple's address
   • File form AD01 online at Companies House or by post to notify them of your new registered office
   • Warning: If you don't update this within 30 days, your company's records become inaccurate and you may face penalties
2. Arrange alternative mail receipt for Companies House correspondence
   • Use a residential address, a commercial office, or another registered office provider
   • Update your contact preference on the Companies House register
3. Set calendar reminders for your filing deadlines
   • Your confirmation statement deadline is your company's anniversary date or 28 days after
   • Accounts deadline is typically 9 months after your year-end
   • Stopee recommends setting reminders 6 weeks in advance
4. If you want to permanently close your company, file form DS01 with Companies House
   • This is a separate application and costs £10
   • You can only file DS01 if your company is inactive, has no liabilities, and owes no tax
   • Processing takes approximately 2-3 months

Refunds and what to expect after cancellation

Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel relative to your next renewal date.

Refund scenarios

If you cancel before your next renewal date, you should not be charged again. Most payment systems process this automatically - your card will not be charged at the next renewal. However, if you've already paid for an entire year upfront and cancel midway through, Simple's terms determine whether you receive a pro-rata refund. Many company formation services do not refund subscription fees once the service has begun, though some offer a partial refund if you request it explicitly.

Pro tip: When you cancel, ask: "Have I paid in advance for any services beyond today? Will I receive a refund for unused service?" If Simple confirms you've prepaid but won't refund, dispute the charge through your bank as a service not received.

If you don't receive a refund you're owed

If Simple has taken a payment after your cancellation date, or if they refuse to refund prepaid fees, you have options. First, contact Simple's customer service and request the refund in writing. If they refuse or don't respond within 14 days, contact your bank or building society. Explain that you cancelled on a specific date but were charged after. Your bank can dispute the charge under Consumer Rights Act 2015 protections. Most banks resolve these disputes in the consumer's favour within 30-60 days. Stopee has assisted many customers in recovering duplicate or post-cancellation charges through this process.

Common mistakes when cancelling simple

Cancelling a business service feels intimidating, but small errors can cost you time and money.

Mistake one: only cancelling one service in a bundle

If you're on a combined package covering registered office, mail forwarding, and reminders, cancelling just one might downgrade your package rather than cancel completely. You'll end up on a cheaper plan instead of having no charges. Always request that every associated service is cancelled simultaneously. If your account shows you're still on any Simple service after your cancellation date, contact them immediately and request full cancellation.

Mistake two: not updating your registered office address

After cancelling Simple's registered office service, Companies House still has Simple's address on your company record. Any official correspondence will go there, and you'll miss it. File form AD01 within 30 days to update your address. If you delay this, your company's register becomes inaccurate, and you could face a £200+ fine from Companies House.

Mistake three: assuming your company is closed

Many business owners cancel Simple and believe their company is dissolved. It isn't. You must separately file form DS01 with Companies House if you want to deregister your company entirely. If you don't do this and your company has assets or liabilities, you could face serious tax and legal consequences. Stopee recommends clarifying your intentions before you cancel: are you just stopping Simple's service, or actually closing your company entirely?

Mistake four: not keeping cancellation proof

If you cancel by phone and don't request written confirmation, you have no evidence if Simple charges you again later. Always request and save email confirmation, with the cancellation date clearly stated. If Simple claims you never cancelled, your email proof protects you when disputing charges with your bank.

After cancellation: your ongoing responsibilities

Losing a service provider is stressful, but your company's compliance obligations don't disappear when Simple does.

You remain personally responsible for filing annual confirmation statements and accounts with Companies House on time. Miss a deadline and your company risks strike-off - removal from the register with serious consequences for future business activities, personal credit, and tax obligations. Set phone reminders, use accounting software calendars, or hire a new company secretary service to ensure you stay compliant. Stopee recommends setting a reminder 6-8 weeks before each deadline as your safety net.

If your company is truly dormant (no activity, no employees, no significant assets), you can file a dormancy notification with Companies House. This relaxes some filing requirements but doesn't eliminate them entirely. You still must file confirmation statements and notify Companies House if your dormancy status changes.

Deregistering your company: the DS01 form process

If your goal is to permanently close and deregister your company, understand the DS01 process separately from Simple's cancellation.

When you can file DS01

You can only apply to strike off your company if it has been inactive for 3 months or more, has no outstanding liabilities, owes no tax, and has not traded. The company must have no employees and no significant assets. You cannot file DS01 if your company is subject to any legal proceedings or owes money to creditors.

How to file DS01

Download form DS01 from Companies House's website. Complete it with your company's registration number, company name, and your full details as director or authorized signatory. Submit the form online via Companies House's portal, by post to the Cardiff office, or through an agent. Warning: all post must now be sent to the Cardiff office only, as of 4 March 2024 - do not send to any other Companies House address. The application fee is £10, payable online or by cheque. Processing typically takes 2-3 months, after which your company is removed from the register.

Once deregistered, you cannot reactivate your company. If you need to restart trading, you'll need to form a new company. Stopee recommends ensuring you're absolutely ready to close before submitting DS01.

Checklists and next steps

Use these checklists to stay on track throughout your cancellation and company management process.

Before you cancel simple

• Review your latest Simple invoice to see exactly which services you're subscribed to
• Take a screenshot of your account dashboard for your records
• Confirm your next renewal date - cancelling before renewal avoids charges
• Check whether you owe any tax returns or company filings through Simple
• Decide: are you just stopping Simple's service, or closing your company entirely?
• Identify an alternative registered office address or confirmation of where Companies House mail should go

During cancellation

• Request that all associated services are cancelled, not downgraded
• Confirm in writing the exact cancellation date
• Ask whether any refund is due for prepaid services
• Request email confirmation and save it immediately
• Note the name of the staff member who processed your cancellation
• Ask: "Will I be charged again after this cancellation?"

After cancellation (within 30 days)

• If you used Simple's registered office address, file form AD01 to update your address at Companies House
• Confirm that no further charges appear on your bank or credit card statement
• Set calendar reminders for all future filing deadlines
• If Simple charged you after your cancellation date, contact your bank's dispute team
• Arrange alternative company secretary or accounting support if needed

If closing your company entirely

• Confirm your company has been inactive for 3+ months with no liabilities
• Download and complete form DS01
• Submit by 4 March 2024 onwards to the Cardiff office only
• Pay the £10 application fee
• Allow 2-3 months for processing and deregistration

Customer reviews and real cancellation experiences

What are actual Simple users saying about cancellation?

Most customers report that Simple's online cancellation process is straightforward once you find it, though some note the process is not immediately obvious on their account dashboard. Several users mention they had to email support to confirm their cancellation had actually processed, as the system didn't provide immediate on-screen feedback. Common complaints centre on being downgraded to a cheaper plan rather than fully cancelled, or discovering they were still charged after requesting cancellation.

Positive reviews note that Simple's customer support responds to cancellation requests via email within 2-3 business days. Users who were clear and specific about which services they wanted cancelled reported smooth experiences. Several users praise Simple's actual company formation service but cancel because they no longer need ongoing subscriptions after their company was established.

Stopee has seen multiple cases where customers cancelled Simple but forgot to update their registered office address, then missed critical Companies House notices. This is a common regret expressed after cancellation - not the cancellation itself, but the administrative follow-up required.

Comparison: simple versus alternative company administration services

If you're cancelling Simple but still need company administration support, alternatives exist.

If you're moving away from Simple specifically because of cost, DIY filing through Companies House's portal is cheapest. You'll pay submission fees per filing but no recurring subscription. If you need support and reminders, a mid-range company secretary service at £100-£150 annually might cost only slightly more than Simple's bundled prices but includes genuine compliance oversight.

Summary and your next steps

Cancelling Simple is manageable if you understand what you're actually ending: a service subscription, not your company registration. You must cancel separately if you want to close your company entirely via form DS01.

Your immediate action: log into your Simple account and review your current subscriptions and renewal dates. If you're ready to cancel, use the online method if available - it's fastest and provides immediate confirmation. If you encounter resistance or your cancellation doesn't process, contact Simple by email or phone, request written confirmation, and keep copies of everything. Within 30 days of cancellation, update your registered office address at Companies House and set reminders for all filing deadlines.

Don't assume cancelling Simple closes your company - it doesn't. Only filing form DS01 with Companies House deregisters you, and you can only do this if your company is inactive and has no liabilities.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and navigate company administration changes with clarity and confidence. Whether you need support understanding your consumer rights, disputing post-cancellation charges, or planning your next steps, Stopee.com provides step-by-step guidance tailored to your situation. You deserve a cancellation process that's transparent, efficient, and free from hidden charges - and Stopee is here to ensure you get exactly that.

Contact details for simple and companies house

Simple customer support

For cancellation inquiries, contact Simple through their official website's contact form, email support address, or phone line. Verify current contact details on their website before reaching out, as contact methods may change.

Companies house

For all DS01 applications (company deregistration), mail to:

Companies House
Cardiff
CF14 3UZ
United Kingdom

Note: As of 4 March 2024, all post must be sent to the Cardiff office. Do not use any other Companies House address.

For online filing, visit www.companieshouse.gov.uk and use their secure filing portal.

For registered office updates (form AD01), file online via Companies House or post to the same Cardiff address.