Companies House Mr01 Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Companies House Mr01 Form PDF Details

The Companies House MR01 form is the required legal document for UK registered companies to notify Companies House of a charge created over company assets. Grounded in Sections 859A and 859J of the Companies Act 2006, the form records the existence of a security interest - such as a mortgage, fixed charge, or floating charge - held by a creditor against the company. Registering the charge makes it a matter of public record, establishing the creditor's priority and providing notice to other parties dealing with the company.

When to Use the MR01 Form

The MR01 form is required whenever a UK company creates a charge that is evidenced by an instrument - a formal written document such as a debenture, deed of charge, or loan agreement. It covers a broad range of asset types including land, buildings, ships, aircraft, and intellectual property. If the charge was created without an instrument, the MR08 form must be used instead. For releasing or discharging a registered charge, the MR04 form applies. The MR01 is not suitable for charges over assets held by a Scottish company under Scots law, which have their own separate registration requirements.

Key Information Required on the Form

• Company details: the registered company number and the company name exactly as shown in the Companies House register
• Charge creation date: the date the charge instrument was executed or signed by all parties
• Persons entitled to the charge: full names of all lenders, trustees, or charge holders; if there are more than four, tick the confirmation box and attach an additional sheet
• Description of charged assets: a concise description of the type of charge and the specific assets covered, including any land (with address or title number), buildings, ships, aircraft, or IP rights
• Charge type details: whether the instrument includes a negative pledge clause, whether it creates a floating charge, and whether a trustee statement is applicable

Filing Deadline, Fee, and Submission

The MR01 form must be delivered to Companies House within 21 days of the date the charge was created. This deadline is strictly enforced. Late registration is not automatically permitted and requires a court application for an extension of time, which adds legal cost and delay. Along with the completed MR01, you must include a certified copy of the instrument creating the charge. The certification must confirm that the copy is a true copy of the original. A registration fee is also required, payable by cheque or postal order made out to Companies House. The form can be submitted by post or electronically through the Companies House online filing service.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the 21-day filing deadline - late submissions require a court order and can compromise the charge's validity
• Omitting the certified copy of the charge instrument from the submission package
• Using the MR01 for a charge created without an instrument (use MR08 in those cases)
• Failing to name all persons entitled to the charge when there are more than four
• Providing a vague or incomplete description of the charged assets, which can cause the registration to be queried
• Neglecting to include the correct fee, which will delay processing

Consequences of Not Registering a Charge

An unregistered charge is void against a liquidator, an administrator, and any creditor of the company. This means that if the company enters insolvency, the charge holder loses the security advantage they would otherwise have over other unsecured creditors. The loan itself remains repayable as an unsecured debt, but the lender forfeits priority over the charged assets. This makes prompt and accurate filing of the MR01 form critical for any lender taking security over company assets.

Related Forms and Documents

Businesses managing company finances often need several related documents alongside the MR01. A charge account form can help structure credit arrangements before formalising the charge. A business registration form is needed when incorporating a new company in preparation for secured borrowing. For resolving outstanding financial obligations, an arrears discharge form provides a structured process for clearing past-due amounts. If you need to verify or update corporate resolutions related to the borrowing, a corporate resolution form documents board authority for the transaction.