Company address need not be place of work

PR writes: I am setting up an internet business but have a problem. The business will be service-orientated and I will not sell goods. As I am afraid of being sued if something goes wrong, I have been told I should set up a limited company. But I want to work from home. Companies House says I have to register the company at the address from where I work but the freeholder will not allow businesses on the premises. I cannot afford an office. What should I do?

Answer

All limited companies need a registered office address, but this address does not need to be the place from which you work or trade. A company´s registered address is often the office of its accountant or solicitor because this address is where formal communications will be sent. You cannot use a Post Office address because the office has to be real. This is because people have the right to visit a company´s registered office and inspect documents. A company incorporated in England and Wales must have its registered office in England or Wales. You should therefore ask your professional adviser if you could use its office as your registered address, a service it would normally provide at a minimal cost. Alternatively, you could use the address of a family member or a friend for a short period while you generate some cashflow to enable you to have a proper office. The registered office can be changed as often as required by completing form 287, which can be obtained from Companies House.