What is the Registered Office Address in the UK? Everything You Need to Know

The registered office address serves as the formal address for a limited liability partnership or company, provided during the registration process and maintained throughout its existence. Every company must have a registered office for HMRC, Companies House, and other government organizations to send legal notices and ensure they're delivered. This also applies if a company is not in the UK and only sells products from a physical site or online.

The business is expected to receive every official notice letter sent to a business registered office. So, when giving your company's registered office, ensure the address effectively delivers the document to its directors.

Stick around as we discuss the difference between a business and a registered office and the best place to register as an official address.

Where Can You Find a Company-Registered Office Address?

This address is available on the public register for everyone to see it. This helps promote corporate transparency, ensuring everyone can see where the company is officially based. The address also gives people a place where they can send unsolicited marketing. That's why most business owners choose a registered office address different from their business address.

You include the registered office address in the form INO1 during company formation. Although this address may last through the company's lifetime, the directors may choose to change it.

What do Companies do with Registered Office Addresses?

The registered office address must be available to receive posts. Also, the address must have someone to sign the documents obtained. The person receiving the documents must not be an employer or an officer in the company; however, they must forward the documents to the company through a third party or mail.

The registered office address has rules and must appear in the following:

• Business letters and emails
• Stationery '
• Order forms and invoices
• Marketing materials like brochures, etc
• Website

Remember, your business name must be displayed at your registered office address for the public to view. However, companies that have been dormant from the day of incorporation are exempted from showing their name at the registered office address.

They can use:

• SAIL address (Single Alternative Inspection Location): this is an optional address businesses can use for storing their records, making them ready for inspection instead of keeping them in the company-registered office.
• Service addresses for the company directors: This is the official address of a company secretary, director, or person of significance. These addresses are available in the public record.

It's vital to provide the correct address for the business registered office.

Why do I Require a Registered Office Address for My Limited Company?

Every limited company formed in the UK needs a registered office address because

• It's a Companies Act 2006 requirement
• For delivery of receipts and other government-related notices
• It enhances openness and company transparency in the UK
• Makes the company available for inspection by the public

Companies can use the SAIL address for inspection purposes or update the information on the statutory register directly at Companies House.

Can one Use the Home Address and the Registered Office Address?

Some people use their homes for this purpose, although it's not advisable. You should use a non-commercial or residential address because of:

• Public disclosure of your business information using the home address could lead to unexpected visitors and unsolicited mail at your home
• A non-residential registered office address will likely attract a large consumer base and potential investors because it shows a prestigious location.
• Members of the public and investors will perceive your company as established, trustworthy, and credible if you have a non-residential registered office address.
• The address creates a boundary between home and work life
• A notable city address will enable your company to expand to new geographical heights, mainly if you're based in remote areas and small towns.

Is there a Difference Between a Service and a Registered Office Address?

A service address is the official address of the members, directors, people with significant control, and company secretaries. The HMRC and other government agencies send personal statutory notices to these addresses. In contrast, the registered office address is the company's official address where the legal letters from the government organization are delivered.

Is the Registered Office Address the Same as the Business Address?

No, the company's official address is used for government agencies' mail purposes only. On the other hand, a business address is a contact point for all other company correspondence from suppliers, customers, and third parties. A company can have multiple business addresses in different locations in the UK. This helps the business provide a local presence in every area in the UK and abroad.

Remember, no legal requirement states your business address must match your registered office address, although you can use the exact location for the two purposes. You're not supposed to use a PO Box number for your registered office; if you do, you must provide a full physical postal address to the Companies House.

Do You Need Help Forming Your Company in the UK?

Incorpuk offers a range of fast and efficient online company formation services, that makes it easiest and cost effective to take your business global. Kindly contact incorpuk if you need any help on company formation services today.

Can a Council House be used as a Registered Office?

Yes, the Companies House accepts any location as a registered office, whether residential or non-residential; just provide a full postal address as in the UK jurisdiction where the company is registered. However, you need the permission of a local authority or a private landlord if you rent your home, and you intend to use your home as a registered office, since the address will be of public record.

This shouldn't be a problem unless your business activities may cause

• Nuisance to neighbours
• Cause potential hazard to property
• Be eye offensive
• Cause people to come in and out of the property day and night

Such business will not be considered a reasonable local authority, and the landlord will not permit you, and you will not be allowed to put advertisements on the property.

Applying for Permission

To apply for permission in your local council, you must write a request to the housing authority head and give full details, including:

• Planned business use
• Erection of outbuildings or sheds
• Planned changes or property alterations
• In the case of the use of commercial vehicles

Hours and level of noise from the business

Remember not to run your company without receiving written permission from your housing service head. You may also pay business rates if you use the property exclusively for business purposes. However, each case is handled individually and depending on your local authority.

Conclusion

The registered office address is vital for UK companies, serving as a formal location for official communication and legal notices. The address is publicly available for essential corporate transparency. Although residential and council house is accepted as registered office, non-residential address is highly advisable for privacy, attracting a wider audience, and maintaining a professional image. Do you want help registering a company in the UK while abroad? Incorpuk is here to help you register a company today. Contact us now and enjoy diverse perks.