Director Service Address London — Complete Guide for UK Companies

Companies house requires that each Company director has a “service” or “alternative business name address,” that is listed in the public record. Although you are able to list your home address, it is recommended that you do not.

When you list your home address, it is made publically searchable by anyone who searches for you on companies house. This increases the risk of receiving unwanted contact via email, phone calls, and post. Furthermore, it can increase the risk of fraud (identity theft etc.), depending upon the industry you operate in.

Not all people require a service address. Below are those individuals that do:

• Directors of limited liability companies (including shadow directors and de facto directors)
• Persons with Significant Control (“PSC’s”) – anybody owning over 25% of the share capital/voting rights
• Designated members of limited liability partnerships (“LLPs”)
• Secretaries of limited liability companies (where applicable)

As a single director running a business from home, this is particularly relevant. When you set up a new ltd. Company and do so from home, your home address will appear in the public record unless you opt for a service address.

Even when you set up a dormant Company, you still have to file a service address. Please see our dormant Company registration guide for further details.

There are many good reasons why you shouldn’t list your home address:

• Privacy: everybody in the world can access your home address through companies house
• Security: cold callers/salespeople/scammers etc. can access your home address to target you
• Professionalism: using a home address may make it harder for others to take your business seriously
• Safety/security: depending on the type of business you operate, listing your home address may put yourself/family at risk
• Separating business & personal life: keeping your home private keeps your family safe

Once you’ve listed your home address, it is extremely difficult to remove it from the companies house register. Historical records remain available until such times as they are removed (this can be years down the line), therefore it would be best to establish a service address as soon as possible.

Director service address vs. Registered office address

Although these are two separate legal requirements, you can often use the same address for both:

• Registered office address: the official address of the Company. Official documents are received here including hmrc, companies house and any formal documentation requiring official notice. All companies must have one.
• Director service address: the personal mailing address of each director. Each director’s name will show alongside their mailing address on the companies house register.

Most Virtual Office services include both a registered office address and director service address. For example, at hoxton mix, our Virtual Office plans (which cost from under £21 per month) include both registered office and director service addresses at our London office. See our registered office addresses guide for further details.

SAIL address vs. Director service address

SAIL stands for Single Alternative Inspection Location. The location where public inspections of Company records can occur (should records not be held at the registered office). Small companies rarely require a SAIL address. However, if you do require one, you can again consider using a Virtual Office service to meet this requirement. More about SAIL addresses and companies house.

Correspondence address vs. Service address

A correspondence address refers to any postal address used to send/receive mail. A director service address however, is specifically defined under the companies act and is the address submitted to companies house. Any other correspondence addresses you may have can be private, whereas your service address is public.

See our full article comparing correspondence address v residential address for further information.

Setting up a service address

You have three options:

Option one: use a Virtual Office provider

The easiest way for most small businesses to obtain a service address. Sign up for a service (less than 5 minutes with us at hoxton mix) and instantly receive a London business address along with immediate mail and companies house compliance. No fuss.

Option two: use your accountant’s address

Some accountants will permit their clients to utilise their offices’ address. However, once you appoint an accountant, it will tie you into that accountant and subsequently, should you wish to switch accounts, you will need to inform companies house. In addition, should another client visit your accountant at that premises whilst you’re meeting there, it may appear unprofessional that you have taken an accountancy firm’s address to promote your own business.

Option three: utilise a coworking space

Should you possess a coworking membership at a space that permits its members to utilise its premises’ address then you can obviously do so. However, this will likely be far more expensive than a Virtual Office and in most cases will cease if you terminate your membership.

Changing your service address

To alter your director service address simply complete form CH01 (change of director details) and submit it to companies house. You can do this online through companies houses webfiling system or by sending the completed paper version via post. Many Virtual Office services will automatically deal with filing the amended form for you as part of their overall service.

With hoxton mix, we supply your new London service address instantaneously and will assist with updating your companies house records accordingly.

Cost of a service address

Our Full Privacy Service at hoxton mix includes your service address on the companies house register for just £3 monthly or £30 annually per director. As long as your service address is listed on the companies house register your home address will be fully private.

If in addition to your service address you also want a registered office address and mail scanning/forwarding then our Virtual Office packages begin at approximately £21 monthly (£249.99 annual).

Cost comparison

Below is how the major alternatives compare in terms of price:

• Virtual Office (Hoxton Mix Full Privacy): £3 /month or £30 /year per director
• Virtual Office with registered office: from under £21 /month (£249.99 /year)
• Accountant’s address: typically £50-£150 /year but ties you into the accountant
• Coworking space: £100-£300 /month (many orders of magnitude more expensive for just an address)
• Your home address: free - but at the expense of your privacy/security

Consequences of failing to provide a service address

All directors are required to have a service address recorded with companies house under the Companies Act 2006. If you fail to provide one, companies house may refuse to accept you as a director. If your details go out-of-date and you do not update them within 14 days, you may incur fines or even prosecution. Additionally, companies house can strike-off companies whose director information is either incorrect or absent.

Obtain your service address today!

Maintain your privacy and keep your home address off the companies house register. Our Full Privacy Service costs only £3 /month per director and our Virtual Office packages from under £21/month contain everything you’ll need to manage your business with a professional London-based address.

Start a Virtual Office today - setting up only takes less than 5 minutes

FAQ

Can I use a virtual address as my director service address?

Yes. A virtual office address is fully compliant as a director service address under UK company law. Thousands of UK company directors use virtual office addresses for their Companies House filings.

Is a director service address the same as a registered office?

No, but they can be the same address. The registered office is the company official address. The director service address is the individual director correspondence address. Both appear on the Companies House public register.

How much does a director service address cost?

The Full Privacy Service at Hoxton Mix costs £3 per month or £30 per year per director/UBO. Virtual Office plans that include both registered office and director service address start from under £21 per month (£249.99/year).

Can I use a PO Box as a director service address?

Companies House generally does not accept PO Box addresses as a service address. You need a real physical address. A virtual office provides a genuine London address that is fully compliant.

Do all directors need a service address?

Yes, every director and person with significant control (PSC) must have a service address on the Companies House register. This includes shadow directors and de facto directors.

Can I change my director service address later?

Yes, you can change it at any time by filing form CH01 with Companies House. This can be done online or by post. Most virtual office providers handle this for you.

What is the difference between a service address and a SAIL address?

A service address is the directors personal correspondence address on the public register. A SAIL (Single Alternative Inspection Location) address is where company records are available for public inspection. Most small companies only need a service address.

Can I use my accountant address as a director service address?

Yes, but this ties you to that accountant. If you change accountants, you will need to update Companies House. A virtual office is more flexible and typically cheaper.

Do I need a service address for a dormant company?

Yes. Even dormant companies must have directors with valid service addresses on the Companies House register. The requirements are the same as for active companies.

Is my home address still visible if I change to a virtual office?

Your new service address will appear on current records, but historical filings showing your old home address remain visible on Companies House. This is why it is best to use a service address from the start.