Do I Need a Registered Office and Can My Accountant Provide One?

Introduction

If you are starting a limited company in the UK, one of the first pieces of information Companies House will ask for is your registered office address. Many new business owners are unsure what this means or whether they can use their home address. Others wonder if their accountant can provide one on their behalf.

The registered office is a legal requirement for every UK limited company, and it plays an important role in your company’s public record and correspondence with HMRC. In this article, we explain what a registered office is, why you need one, whether your accountant can provide it, and how to choose the right option for your business.

What Is a Registered Office?

A registered office is the official address of your company. It is where all formal correspondence from Companies House and HMRC is sent, including tax letters, filing reminders, and legal notices. The address appears on the public register, which means anyone can look it up online.

This address must be a physical location in the UK within the same country where your company is registered. For example, if you register your company in England and Wales, your registered office must also be in England or Wales. It cannot be a PO Box unless it includes a full physical address and postcode.

Why a Registered Office Is Required

Companies House uses the registered office to send all official documents and notices. HMRC uses it for tax correspondence, such as Corporation Tax registration and VAT information. Because it is part of the public record, it ensures transparency and accountability.

Even if your company trades online or has no fixed premises, you must still provide an address. This is to ensure there is always a reliable location for important legal communications.

Can You Use Your Home Address?

Many new business owners start by using their home address as the registered office. This is perfectly legal, provided you own the property or have permission from your landlord. However, it means your personal address becomes publicly visible on the Companies House register.

If you want to protect your privacy, you may prefer to use your accountant’s address or a registered office service instead. This keeps your home details off the public record while ensuring official documents are received securely.

Can Your Accountant Provide a Registered Office?

Yes. Most accountants offer the option to use their address as your company’s registered office. This is a common and convenient service for small businesses and limited company directors.

When your accountant provides a registered office, they:

• Receive official mail from Companies House and HMRC on your behalf

• Forward correspondence to you promptly (often scanned and emailed)

• Ensure important documents are not missed

• Keep your home address private

• Maintain compliance with Companies House and HMRC

Using your accountant’s address can also make your company appear more professional, especially if their office is located in a business district or city centre.

Advantages of Using Your Accountant’s Address

There are several clear benefits to using your accountant’s registered office service:

1. Privacy: Your home address remains confidential and off public records.

2. Reliability: Official mail is handled by professionals who understand its importance.

3. Compliance: Your accountant ensures all deadlines and notices are managed correctly.

4. Professional image: It adds credibility when your company is linked to an established business address.

5. Convenience: You avoid the risk of missing mail while travelling or working remotely.

These benefits are particularly valuable for home-based businesses or directors who prefer not to make personal details public.

What a Registered Office Is Not

It is important to note that the registered office is not necessarily your trading address. You can operate from a different location, such as a shop, warehouse, or home office, while still having your registered office elsewhere.

The registered office is purely for official communications, not for day-to-day operations or client visits. You can list a separate trading address on invoices, websites, and marketing materials.

Can the Registered Office Be Outside the UK?

No. Your registered office must be located within the same jurisdiction where your company is registered. If your company is registered in Scotland, you must have a Scottish address. Similarly, companies registered in Northern Ireland must have an address there.

If your business moves to another part of the UK, you may need to re-register in that new jurisdiction, depending on the structure of your company.

What Happens If You Do Not Have a Registered Office?

You cannot form a limited company without providing a registered office address. If you later fail to maintain one or cannot be contacted through your registered office, Companies House may take enforcement action. This can include removing your company from the register (known as dissolution).

Keeping your registered office active and up to date is a legal obligation. If you change addresses, you must inform Companies House immediately by submitting form AD01.

How to Change Your Registered Office

If you decide to use your accountant’s address later, changing your registered office is straightforward. Your accountant can file the update online with Companies House on your behalf. The new address takes effect as soon as the filing is processed, and future correspondence will be sent there.

Your company’s registered office address will then be updated on the public register. It is also wise to update HMRC to ensure all future letters are sent to the correct place.

Example Scenario

Imagine Sarah, who runs a small marketing agency from home. When she registered her limited company, she used her home address as the registered office. After a few months, she realised her personal address was visible online. She contacted her accountant, who offered a registered office service for a small annual fee.

Her accountant filed the change with Companies House, and within a day the public record showed the accountant’s address instead. Sarah now receives all her company post through her accountant, who scans and forwards it to her. Her privacy is protected, and she never worries about missing important letters.

Cost of Using an Accountant’s Address

The cost of using your accountant’s registered office service varies depending on the firm and the level of mail forwarding included. Typically, prices range from £50 to £150 per year. For many business owners, this is a small price to pay for convenience and privacy.

Some accountants include the service free of charge within a broader accounting package, particularly for clients who use them for company formation, bookkeeping, or tax returns.

Conclusion

Yes, every UK limited company needs a registered office, and your accountant can provide one for you. It is the official address used for legal correspondence and appears on the public record. While you can use your home address, many business owners prefer their accountant’s address to maintain privacy and professionalism.

Using your accountant’s registered office ensures that all important documents from HMRC and Companies House are handled correctly and securely. It also keeps your business fully compliant from the start. For most directors, it is a simple and effective solution that makes running a company smoother and more professional.