What Is a Registered Office Address?

Every Limited Company must have a registered office address to be compliant with company law. A registered office address is both a legal requirement and a crucial element of a business’s operations. Due to this, it’s important to have a registered office address which is in line with regulatory requirements and set up to give your business a good advantage.

This blog will delve into what a registered office address is and offer some advice on choosing the right registered office address. 

What is a Registered Office Address? 

Before we begin you may be wondering, what is a registered office? In short, a registered office address is a company’s official correspondence address. This is where a company will receive all statutory correspondence from regulatory bodies. It must be a physical address in the UK and is required by law of all Limited Companies and LLPs.

A company will supply its registered office address during the incorporation process. Companies can choose to remain at the same address throughout its life or change the address at any time. However, if a company chooses to change its address it must notify Companies House as soon as possible via an updated Confirmation Statement.

Additionally, a registered office address is also public. The registrar will display a company’s current address on their listings, and keep previous addresses within the filing history, which is also public.

Only full, physical addresses are accepted as registered office addresses, it can not be a P.O. Box. The address must also comply with the other regulations set out by Companies House. Finally, both residential and non-resident addresses are acceptable, so long as they are physical addresses. However, most people choose to protect their privacy and opt for a commercial address via renting an office space or using a registered or virtual address service.

• What are the Registered Office Regulations?

What a Registered Office Cannot Be

So we’ve explored what a registered office is but what can a registered office not be?

Most importantly, a registered office cannot be a P.O. Box. In the past, Companies House allowed a registered office address to be a P.O. Box. However, following the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House has changed this rule. Your registered office address must be a physical location where someone can record all post as delivered.

While it is permissible to have a residential address like your home as a registered office address, most people choose not to. This is due to the public discourse of company information. Simply put, Companies House publishes certain company details on the public register. This information includes a business registered office address.

Using your residential address as a registered office address can be problematic. It can open your home up to unsolicited visitors and mail. It can also reflect poorly on your company’s image. A commercial address suggests your business is established, credible and trustworthy. A commercial address within a city can also help your business appeal to a wider client base. Finally, a commercial address can help a business expand its reach compared to residential addresses within small towns.

Ultimately, a commercial business address brings a level of professionalism to your company and protects your privacy— which is extremely valuable. 

Choosing the Right Registered Office Address

Choosing the right registered office address depends on a few factors; location and accessibility, professionalism and cost.

The location of a registered office can help build a business’s reputation and professional image. A registered office service with a city location can provide a business with an enhanced professional image.

Secondly, a company must have a registered office in the same jurisdiction. This means if a company is registered in England your registered office address must be in England or Wales.

The location of a registered office should be accessible and convenient for all of the company’s needs. For example, if you’re based near London, you may consider a registered office address in London (via a registered office service or renting a commercial space). This means you could potentially host meetings at your registered office.

Finally, cost is an important factor for most businesses. A home-based registered office address is the most cost-effective as it is free. Of course, it comes hand in hand with a lack of privacy— which can ultimately have more negative effects.

Renting a commercial office is the most costly option, which makes it inaccessible for most new companies. However, it does come with the benefit of professionalism and location.

Finally, a registered office service is often competitively priced and gives you the benefits of a commercial office address without the expensive rent. Most services have additional add-ons to benefit your business. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each option, however, your first choice doesn’t need to be the only one. A company can change its registered office address at any point. 

Conclusion 

A registered office address is both a legal requirement and a great tool for businesses. With the right address, a company can build a well-established image which may attract clients, partners and investors. As long as your address is compliant and adequately covers your company’s needs, then your registered office address is suitable for your business.

If you're interested in learning more about how a registered office service can help you protect your privacy whilst giving your company the added benefit of a prestigious London address, contact us now!

With Companies MadeSimple’s registered office service you'll receive the benefits of a central London address, your post is safely and securely processed and sent via email and we’ll even include the use of our address for your director’s service address. Unlike other registered office address providers, we won’t charge you extra to use the same address!

Contact us today to see how using our registered office address service will benefit your company!