Stopping Simple: What you need to know

What is Simple?

Simple is a UK-based company formation and business services provider that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners set up and manage their limited companies. Operating through Companies House in Cardiff, Simple streamlines the process of registering a new business, handling administrative paperwork, and maintaining statutory compliance requirements that UK companies must meet.

The service primarily focuses on making company formation accessible to first-time business owners who might find the legal requirements overwhelming. Simple acts as an intermediary between business owners and Companies House, the UK government's registrar of companies. They handle everything from initial registration to ongoing compliance tasks like filing annual accounts and confirmation statements.

What sets Simple apart in the crowded company formation market is their straightforward approach to what can be a complex bureaucratic process. They've processed thousands of company formations since their establishment, helping sole traders transition to limited companies and assisting new entrepreneurs in getting their ventures officially registered.

Most importantly, Simple isn't just about formation. They offer ongoing services including registered office address provision, mail forwarding, and reminders about statutory deadlines. This means many customers maintain their relationship with Simple long after their company is formed, which is precisely why understanding their cancellation process becomes crucial when circumstances change.

Plans, features and pricing

Simple operates on a tiered service model designed to accommodate different business needs and budgets. Their pricing structure reflects the level of support and additional services you require beyond basic company formation.

Company formation packages

The entry-level package typically covers the essentials: company name registration, submission of formation documents to Companies House, and basic compliance setup. This package appeals to cost-conscious entrepreneurs who are comfortable handling most administrative tasks themselves.

Mid-tier packages include additional features like registered office address service, which is particularly valuable if you're running your business from home and prefer not to use your residential address on public records. These packages often bundle mail forwarding services and priority processing times.

Premium packages offer comprehensive support including same-day company formation (when submitted early enough), dedicated account management, and extended customer service hours. These options suit professionals who need immediate business registration or prefer hands-on guidance throughout the process.

Ongoing subscription services

Keep in mind that prices fluctuate based on promotional periods and package combinations. Simple often bundles services together, which can offer better value than purchasing each component separately. However, this bundling is precisely why many customers find themselves paying for services they no longer need, prompting them to seek cancellation.

What you're actually paying for

Understanding the value proposition helps you decide whether to cancel or continue. The registered office service means Simple receives official correspondence on your behalf, scans it, and forwards it to your preferred address. This protects your privacy and ensures you don't miss critical deadlines.

Mail forwarding extends beyond just Companies House letters. You'll receive correspondence from HMRC, legal notices, and other official communications. Simple typically scans and emails these documents, then posts physical copies if requested.

Additionally, their compliance calendar service sends reminders about upcoming filing deadlines, which helps avoid late filing penalties that can reach £1,500 or more for seriously overdue accounts. For busy business owners, these reminders provide genuine value and peace of mind.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Before attempting to cancel, you absolutely must understand Simple's contractual terms. These govern your cancellation rights, notice periods, and potential refund eligibility. Getting this wrong can result in unexpected charges or service disruptions.

Subscription commitment periods

Most Simple services operate on annual subscription cycles. When you sign up, you're typically committing to a 12-month period, with automatic renewal unless you actively cancel. This is standard practice in the company formation industry, but it catches many customers off guard.

The automatic renewal clause is particularly important. Simple will charge your payment method on file approximately 30 days before your renewal date unless you've submitted a cancellation request with adequate notice. This advance billing window is legal under UK consumer law, but you need to account for it in your cancellation timing.

Notice period requirements

Simple typically requires 30 days' notice before your subscription renewal date to process cancellations. This means if your service renews on 1st January, you need to submit your cancellation request by 1st December at the latest. Missing this window usually means you're committed to another full year of service.

Here's where many customers make a costly mistake: they assume sending a cancellation email on the last day of their notice period is sufficient. However, Simple processes cancellations based on when they receive and acknowledge your request, not when you send it. Postal delays can push your cancellation past the deadline, locking you into another year.

Refund policies and pro-rata calculations

Simple generally doesn't offer refunds for unused portions of annual subscriptions if you cancel mid-term. If you paid £60 for a year of registered office service and cancel after six months, you typically won't receive £30 back. This policy is clearly stated in their terms, though it frustrates customers who assumed they'd receive pro-rata refunds.

There are exceptions for certain circumstances, particularly if Simple has failed to deliver agreed services or if there's been a billing error. However, these exceptions require documentation and often involve back-and-forth correspondence to resolve.

What happens to your registered office address

This is critically important: if you're using Simple's registered office address for your company, you must arrange an alternative address before cancelling. UK law requires every limited company to have a registered office address at all times. If you cancel without a replacement, your company becomes non-compliant, risking penalties and potential strike-off.

Most importantly, you need to file a change of registered office address with Companies House using form AD01 before your cancellation takes effect. Simple will continue forwarding mail until your cancellation date, but after that, any correspondence sent to their address won't reach you, potentially causing you to miss critical legal notices.

Why people cancel Simple

Understanding common cancellation reasons helps you evaluate whether termination is your best option or if there's an alternative solution worth exploring first.

Company closure or dissolution

The most straightforward reason for cancellation is closing your business entirely. If you're dissolving your company through the official strike-off process, you'll no longer need company formation services. However, keep Simple's services active until Companies House confirms your dissolution, as you may receive final correspondence during the strike-off period.

Switching to alternative providers

Many customers cancel Simple because they've found cheaper alternatives or accountants who bundle registered office services with bookkeeping packages. The company formation market is highly competitive, and new entrants frequently undercut established providers on price. Just ensure your new provider is genuinely cheaper when comparing like-for-like services, not just headline prices.

No longer requiring registered office services

Some business owners initially use Simple's registered office address for privacy but later feel comfortable using their home or business premises address. This is perfectly reasonable, though remember you'll need to update your address with Companies House, HMRC, and any other organisations that hold your company details.

Cost-cutting during difficult trading periods

Economic pressures lead many businesses to review recurring expenses. Annual fees of £50-£100 might seem modest, but they add up when you're scrutinising every outgoing. Before cancelling purely for cost reasons, calculate the true savings after accounting for the time you'll spend handling tasks Simple currently manages.

Dissatisfaction with service quality

Occasionally, customers cancel due to poor service experiences: delayed mail forwarding, missed deadline reminders, or unresponsive customer support. If this describes your situation, document specific service failures before cancelling, as this evidence may support a refund request or early termination without penalty.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Postal cancellation is the most reliable method for terminating your Simple subscription, providing you with documented proof of your cancellation request and the date it was received. This matters enormously if disputes arise about renewal charges or service continuation.

Why postal cancellation is your safest option

Email cancellations can disappear into spam filters, get overlooked in busy inboxes, or be claimed as never received. Phone cancellations rely on the representative accurately recording your request and processing it correctly. Both methods leave you vulnerable if something goes wrong.

Postal cancellation via Recorded Delivery provides irrefutable evidence. You'll receive a signature confirmation showing exactly when Simple received your letter, creating a paper trail that protects you legally. If Simple later claims they never received your cancellation, your Recorded Delivery receipt proves otherwise.

Additionally, written cancellation forces you to include all necessary details in one comprehensive communication. You won't forget to mention your account number or specify your cancellation date because everything must be written down. This reduces back-and-forth correspondence and speeds up processing.

What information your cancellation letter must include

Your cancellation letter needs specific information to be processed without delays. Start with your full legal name exactly as it appears on your Simple account, followed by your company name and registration number. Simple manages thousands of customers, so precise identification prevents your request being applied to the wrong account.

Include your account number or customer reference number, which appears on invoices and correspondence from Simple. This single identifier allows their team to locate your records immediately rather than searching through multiple databases.

State your explicit intention to cancel all services, specifying which services you're terminating if you only want to cancel specific elements. For example, you might cancel the registered office address but continue using their mail forwarding service. Clarity prevents misunderstandings.

Specify your desired cancellation date, keeping in mind the notice period requirements. If your service renews on 15th March and you're writing on 10th February, request cancellation effective 15th March. This gives Simple the required 30+ days' notice.

Request written confirmation of your cancellation, including confirmation that no further charges will be applied to your payment method. This creates accountability and gives you documentation for your records.

The correct postal address for cancellation requests

Send your cancellation letter to Simple's official registered address:

• Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ

This address appears on their official Companies House registration and ensures your letter reaches the correct department. Using alternative addresses found online or on promotional materials may cause delays if mail needs forwarding internally.

Using Recorded Delivery for proof of receipt

Visit any Post Office branch and request Recorded Delivery service. This costs approximately £3-£4 and provides tracking and signature confirmation. The postal worker will give you a receipt with a tracking number, which you should photograph and save digitally as backup.

Track your letter online using Royal Mail's tracking service. You'll see when it's been delivered and who signed for it. Screenshot this tracking information and save it with your cancellation documentation. This evidence is invaluable if disputes arise about whether Simple received your cancellation.

Keep in mind that Recorded Delivery typically takes 1-2 working days for delivery within the UK, though delays can occur. Factor this into your timing, especially if you're close to your notice period deadline. Sending your letter at least 35 days before your renewal date provides a comfortable buffer.

How Postclic simplifies the postal cancellation process

Services like Postclic streamline postal cancellations by handling the entire process digitally. You compose your cancellation letter online, and Postclic prints, envelopes, and posts it via tracked delivery on your behalf. This saves you trips to the Post Office and ensures professional formatting.

The key benefit is digital proof of sending and delivery. Postclic provides tracking information and delivery confirmation directly through their platform, creating a comprehensive audit trail. This documentation is stored digitally, so you won't lose physical receipts that might be crucial months later if billing disputes arise.

Additionally, Postclic ensures your letter includes all necessary components and reaches the correct address. Their system prompts you to include essential information like account numbers and cancellation dates, reducing the risk of incomplete requests that delay processing.

Timeline expectations for cancellation processing

If you haven't received acknowledgment within 14 days of confirmed delivery, follow up with a second letter referencing your original cancellation request and including a copy of your Recorded Delivery receipt. This demonstrates you're tracking the process carefully and expect proper handling.

Common mistakes that delay cancellation

First, many customers send cancellation letters to the wrong address. Simple may have multiple addresses for different purposes, but cancellations must go to their registered office address. Using addresses found on their website footer or marketing materials can add weeks to processing time.

Next, failing to include adequate identification information causes delays. If Simple can't immediately identify your account, they'll need to request additional information, pushing your cancellation past critical deadlines. Always include your account number, company registration number, and full name.

Additionally, customers often request immediate cancellation without respecting notice period requirements. If your terms require 30 days' notice and you request cancellation effective immediately, Simple will process it for the earliest contractually permissible date, which might be after your next renewal.

Most importantly, not keeping copies of your cancellation correspondence is a critical error. If disputes arise months later about whether you cancelled properly, you'll need evidence. Photograph or scan everything: your letter, Recorded Delivery receipt, tracking information, and any confirmation you receive.

What to do before cancelling

Taking specific actions before cancellation prevents complications and ensures smooth transition away from Simple's services.

Update your registered office address

If you're using Simple's registered office address, you must change this before cancelling. File form AD01 with Companies House, specifying your new registered office address. This form costs £8 online or £40 by post, and processing typically takes 8-10 days.

Your new address becomes effective from the date Companies House registers the change, not the date you submit the form. Factor this processing time into your cancellation timeline to ensure no gap in your registered office provision.

Redirect your mail

Set up Royal Mail redirection from Simple's address to your new address as a safety net. This costs approximately £33.99 for three months and ensures any mail still sent to Simple's address reaches you even after service termination. This is particularly important for HMRC correspondence and legal notices that might use outdated address information.

Inform relevant organisations of your address change

Notify HMRC, your bank, business creditors, and any professional bodies of your new registered office address. Don't rely on Companies House updates to cascade automatically, as different organisations update their records at different speeds. Direct notification ensures critical correspondence reaches you without delay.

Download and save all documents

If Simple provides online access to scanned correspondence or formation documents, download everything before cancelling. Your account access typically terminates with your subscription, and retrieving documents afterwards involves fees and delays. Save everything to multiple locations: your computer, cloud storage, and physical backups.

Review upcoming compliance deadlines

Check your Companies House filing deadlines for annual accounts and confirmation statements. If deadlines fall shortly after your cancellation date, ensure you have systems in place to meet them without Simple's reminder service. Missing these deadlines results in automatic penalties starting at £150.

Tips from former members

Learning from others' experiences helps you avoid common pitfalls and streamline your cancellation process. These insights come from business owners who've successfully navigated Simple cancellations.

Start the process earlier than you think necessary

Former members consistently advise beginning cancellation at least 45-60 days before your renewal date, even though terms only require 30 days' notice. This buffer accommodates postal delays, processing time, and any complications requiring additional correspondence. One extra month of service costs less than being locked into an unwanted full year.

Keep meticulous records of everything

Successful cancellers emphasise documentation. Photograph your cancellation letter before posting, keep your Recorded Delivery receipt somewhere safe, screenshot tracking information, and save all email correspondence. Several former members reported billing disputes months after cancellation where their documentation proved essential in securing refunds.

Verify your payment method is removed

After receiving cancellation confirmation, check that Simple has actually removed your payment card or direct debit details from their system. Some former members discovered their cards were still on file and were charged for renewals despite confirmed cancellations. Removing payment methods eliminates this risk entirely.

Don't assume email confirmation is sufficient

Multiple former members reported sending cancellation emails that were acknowledged but not properly processed. They received friendly email responses confirming receipt but were still charged renewal fees because internal systems weren't updated. Postal cancellation with tracked delivery provides stronger evidence than email acknowledgments.

Check your bank statements for several months

Keep monitoring bank statements for 3-4 months after your cancellation date. Occasionally, billing systems generate charges automatically despite cancellations being processed. Early detection allows you to dispute charges while evidence is fresh and within payment provider dispute windows.

Consider the true cost of DIY administration

Several former members noted that after cancelling, they spent significantly more time managing compliance tasks themselves than anticipated. Calculate the hourly value of your time and compare it to Simple's fees. Sometimes, what seems like an expensive service actually provides good value when you factor in your time costs.

Use cancellation as a negotiation opportunity

Some former members successfully negotiated reduced rates by initiating cancellation. When Simple received cancellation requests, their retention team sometimes offered discounted renewal rates to keep customers. If cost is your primary cancellation driver, your cancellation letter might prompt a better offer worth considering.

Plan your transition carefully

The most satisfied former members emphasised having replacement services fully operational before Simple's services ended. They had new registered office addresses confirmed, mail redirection active, and compliance calendar systems established. This preparation prevented stressful gaps in service provision.

Remember that cancelling Simple doesn't eliminate your compliance obligations as a UK limited company. You're still responsible for filing annual accounts, confirmation statements, and maintaining a registered office address. Simple made these tasks easier, so ensure you have alternative systems ready before terminating their services.

Finally, former members recommend treating your cancellation as a business process requiring the same attention you'd give any important administrative task. Rushing through it or handling it casually increases the likelihood of mistakes that could cost you time, money, and compliance headaches down the line. Take it seriously, follow the process methodically, and keep comprehensive records throughout.