Is a virtual office legal? In short – yes. Virtual offices are legal to rent, hence why they’re in such high demand for freelancers and SMEs.
This guide will walk you through the legal aspects of a virtual address and how to go about hiring a virtual office the right way.
Virtual offices are mainly used to enable companies to have a professional business address. Some firms might not need a physical office to carry out their duties and so they see no benefit in renting out traditional office space. It’s worth reading up on how a virtual office works to make sense of the concerns that are discussed within this guide.
Since virtual offices have become increasingly popular, there have been several legislation queries that often leave business owners hesitant to make the move. Below are a few legal considerations to think about before investing in a virtual office:
To register a company in England and Wales you must register an address in either of these locations. This is not to be confused with your ‘trading address’ – as this is your primary base of business operations.
Your registered office address does not have to be the address you work from. It is simply the official address for a UK limited company (and be based in the UK). The HMRC, Companies House and UK tax authorities will send all business correspondence to this address. Companies House also display your chosen registered office address online.
If the time comes and you must change your registered office address, you must file an AD01 online form on Companies House – this ensures all important documents are sent to the correct address. Should you not receive these important letters then your business falls risk into being dissolved.
Virtual HQ can help you find the perfect virtual office in locations throughout the UK. If you have any questions about how a virtual office works, the legalities involved or want to have a chat – just get in touch.
Francesca's knowledge of the industry and business support is second to none. She's personally handpicked each one of our virtual office locations.
