Last Updated On: 12 October 2026
If PO Box 4385 Cardiff CF14 8LH appears on a company record or correspondence you have received, it can understandably cause confusion.
The address is associated with the Companies House default-address process. It may appear when a company’s previous registered office has been disputed, used without permission or found not to meet the legal requirements for an appropriate registered office.
It is not an ordinary business premises that companies generally choose for themselves.
Finding the address does not automatically mean a company is fraudulent, insolvent or dissolved. However, directors should treat it as an important compliance matter, while customers, suppliers and property owners may want to check why the address appears.
What Does PO Box 4385 Cardiff CF14 8LH Represent?
PO Box 4385 in Cardiff can appear as a default address on the public company register.
It may be displayed in a format that includes the company’s identifying information alongside the Cardiff address.
| Detail | Meaning |
| Address | PO Box 4385, Cardiff, CF14 8LH |
| Address Type | Companies House default address |
| Ordinary Business Premises | No |
| Normally Chosen By A Company | No |
| Automatically Means Fraud | No |
| Usually Requires Company Action | Yes |
This makes it different from an ordinary commercial mailbox. Businesses can use postal services for some purposes, but there are restrictions covering how UK PO Box addresses can be used.
Why Could A Business End Up At This Cardiff Address?
Companies must maintain an appropriate registered office.
A problem can arise when:
- A Property owner says the company has no permission to use their address
- A Registered-office agreement has expired or been cancelled
- A Company stops paying an address-service provider
- Mail sent to the registered office cannot reasonably reach the company
- Delivery cannot properly be acknowledged
- The Registered address is inaccurate or unsuitable
- Supporting evidence for use of an address cannot be provided
An address does not become appropriate simply because it is a genuine physical property.
The company must also have a legitimate right to use it and official communications must be capable of reaching someone acting for the company.
Why Might A Letter Mention PO Box 4385?
There are several reasons you might encounter the address on correspondence.
You Are A Director Or Company Officer
A communication may relate to an address dispute, a change recorded against the company or action that needs to be taken to correct its registered office.
You Are A Customer Or Supplier
The address might appear after you search the company record or receive documents containing registered company information.
If you were previously dealing with a different business address, check the company’s current filing history before sending important correspondence or money.
You Own A Property Previously Used By A Company
You may encounter the address after successfully challenging a company that used your property without permission or continued using it after an agreement ended.
You Are A Creditor
The company may have been moved to the default address while debts, contracts or legal matters remain outstanding.
A change of registered office does not automatically cancel a company’s existing obligations.
How Can You Tell Whether Correspondence Is Genuine?
PO Box 4385 itself should not be treated as proof that a letter is fraudulent. The safer approach is to verify the communication independently.
Be cautious when a letter or email:
- Demands An unexpected payment
- Requests Passwords or authentication codes
- Asks For banking information
- Includes An unfamiliar payment account
- Uses QR codes or links to unknown websites
- Pressures You to act immediately without allowing verification
- Requests Identity documents without a clear reason
Check the company’s public record separately rather than relying entirely on contact information printed in the communication. Official company-registration services do not need your authentication code simply to contact you about an enquiry.
Is PO Box 4385 A Scam Address?
No. PO Box 4385 Cardiff CF14 8LH should not automatically be described as a scam address. Its appearance on a company record can result from an official address-rectification process. However, criminals can copy genuine addresses and government details onto fake correspondence.
There is therefore an important distinction between:
- A Genuine Address: The underlying address can be legitimate.
- A Genuine Communication: A particular letter, email, payment request or telephone call still needs to be verified separately.
If you receive suspicious correspondence, avoid sending money or sensitive information until you have confirmed who sent it.
What Should Directors Do When PO Box 4385 Appears On Their Company Record?
Directors should investigate immediately rather than assuming the record will correct itself.
1. Check The Company’s Filing History
Search the company record using its company number and review recent address filings and registrar notices.
2. Identify Why The Previous Address Was Challenged
Contact the landlord, accountant, registered-office provider or other relevant party where necessary.
Common reasons include expired agreements, missed service payments and unauthorised use.
3. Secure An Appropriate New Address
The company needs permission to use the replacement address.
Suitable options can include business premises, an accountant’s office, a solicitor’s address or an eligible registered-office service.
A properly managed virtual office may provide business-address and mail-handling facilities, although the service must still satisfy registered-office requirements.
4. Submit The Required Address Change
A company that has already been moved to the default address should follow the applicable paper AD01 procedure rather than simply relying on the ordinary online address-change process.
Supporting evidence may also be required.
5. Confirm The Change Has Been Accepted
Do not assume sending paperwork completes the process.
Check the public record afterwards to make sure the new registered office has actually been accepted.
What Happens If The Company Does Nothing?
The issue can become more serious if it is ignored.
Once the registered office has been changed to the default address, the company will normally need to provide an appropriate replacement address within the applicable 28-day period.
| Stage | Possible Result |
| Address Problem Identified | Existing registered office can be challenged |
| Default Address Applied | PO Box 4385 may appear on the register |
| 28-Day Period | Company should provide an appropriate replacement |
| No Correction | Company and officers can face compliance consequences |
| Continued Non-Compliance | Strike-off action may follow |
| Strike-Off Process | Gazette notices can be published before dissolution |
If action progresses to removal from the register, directors should understand what a First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off means and act quickly.
The existence of PO Box 4385 alone does not mean that strike-off has already occurred.
What Can A Homeowner Or Landlord Do About Address Misuse?
A homeowner, landlord or other person should first identify how their address appears on the register.
It could be shown as:
- A Registered office
- A Director’s service address
- A PSC service address
- A Principal office address
Evidence may then be required to demonstrate the applicant’s connection to the property.
Useful evidence can include:
- Freehold Documents
- Leasehold Documents
- Tenancy Agreements
- Written Permission agreements
- Recent Utility bills
- Registered-office contracts
- Termination Notices
An address dispute can be raised where a company is using an address without authority.
RP07 is one route for requesting rectification of certain registered office, service and principal office addresses.
It is not a general fraud-reporting form.
There is also an online reporting route where someone’s personal details or address have been used without permission.
What Happens To Letters Sent To The Default Address?
Companies should not assume correspondence sent to the default address automatically reaches directors.
A company or authorised representative can arrange collection of documents held there, subject to the required procedure.
Generally, advance notice is needed before collection.
Documents left uncollected may ultimately be destroyed under the applicable retention rules.
This makes it risky for directors to leave the company at the default address for an extended period.
Important legal, creditor or regulatory correspondence could continue to arrive while the underlying address problem remains unresolved.
Can Legal Documents Still Be Sent To The Company?
A default address does not automatically protect a company from claims or legal correspondence.
Creditors, landlords, suppliers and other parties may still need to serve documents or communicate formally with the business.
Directors should therefore not assume that moving to a default address pauses debts, contractual obligations, disputes or legal proceedings.
What Should Customers, Suppliers And Lenders Check?
PO Box 4385 should trigger additional due diligence, rather than an automatic assumption of wrongdoing.
Check:
- Current Company status
- Recent Filing history
- Registered-office changes
- Overdue Accounts
- Confirmation statement status
- Gazette Notices
- Current Directors
- Persons With Significant Control
- Previous Registered addresses
- Reliable Business contact details
For a new supplier relationship, loan, credit agreement or large payment, consider asking the business why its registered office changed and whether a replacement address has been submitted.
Who Should You Contact About A PO Box 4385 Problem?
The correct contact route depends on what has happened.
| Reason For Contact | Appropriate Route |
| General Company Enquiry | 0303 1234 500 |
| General Email Enquiry | enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk |
| Address Used Without Permission | Address misuse reporting or appropriate rectification procedure |
| Suspicious Email | phishing@companieshouse.gov.uk |
| Suspected Fraud | Appropriate UK fraud-reporting service and Companies House where relevant |
| Accessibility Assistance | Main helpline or Relay UK |
| Welsh-Language Assistance | Available through Welsh-language support |
General telephone advisers are normally available Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm, excluding public holidays.
For Relay UK, users who cannot hear or speak on the telephone can use:
18001 then 0300 373 0995
Welsh-language assistance is also available.
Paper documents that need to be sent to the main office are generally directed to:
- Companies House
- Crown Way
- Cardiff
- CF14 3UZ
This is different from PO Box 4385.
What If You Think The Address Change Is A Mistake?
Do not ignore it.
First check the company’s filing history and any notices sent to the registered email address.
Then gather evidence showing:
- The Company had permission to use the address
- Official Post could reach the company
- Delivery could be acknowledged
- Any Registered-office agreement remained valid
- The Company continued to meet the appropriate-address requirement
Contact the registrar promptly if you believe incorrect information or evidence caused the change.
Keeping written contracts, invoices, permission records and proof of mail handling can make resolving a disagreement much easier.
How Can Companies Avoid This Problem In Future?
Directors can reduce the chance of being moved to a default address by maintaining control of their registered-office arrangements.
Good practice includes:
- Renew Registered-office agreements on time
- Pay Address-service charges promptly
- Keep Written permission from property owners
- Monitor Official mail
- Update The registered office after moving
- Review The public company record periodically
- Check Unexpected filing notifications quickly
- Keep Company contact information current
- Retain Contracts and address-service invoices
Directors using third-party addresses should also have a plan for moving the registered office before an agreement expires.
Conclusion
PO Box 4385 Cardiff CF14 8LH is associated with the default-address process rather than being an ordinary business location.
It can appear when a company’s registered office has been disputed, used without permission or found not to satisfy current address requirements.
Directors should investigate the reason, obtain an appropriate replacement address, provide the required evidence and correct the public record promptly.
Homeowners and landlords whose properties are being used without consent have routes for requesting correction, while suppliers, customers and lenders should treat the address as a reason to perform further checks rather than proof of fraud.
Anyone receiving suspicious correspondence should verify it independently using official contact details before making payments or providing sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my company showing PO Box 4385 Cardiff CF14 8LH?
It generally indicates that the previous registered office has been replaced through the default-address process. Check recent filing history to identify what happened.
Does PO Box 4385 mean the company has closed?
No. A company can remain active while displaying the default address, although continuing non-compliance can eventually create strike-off risks.
Should I trust a letter containing this Cardiff address?
Do not judge authenticity from the address alone. Check the communication, company record and contact details independently before responding.
Can I report someone using my home address for their company?
Yes. There are procedures for reporting an address used without permission, and evidence showing your connection to the property will normally be required.
Is RP07 used to report company fraud?
No. RP07 concerns rectification of certain disputed addresses. Suspected fraud should be reported through the appropriate fraud-reporting channels.
What number should I call about a Companies House address issue?
For general enquiries, call 0303 1234 500, normally Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 6pm.
Can directors simply change PO Box 4385 online?
Companies already moved to a default address may need to use the applicable paper AD01 process and provide evidence supporting the new address.
Can creditors still contact a company using the default address?
Yes. An address dispute does not remove existing debts, contractual obligations or potential legal claims.
