All UK companies require an official business address to register themselves with Companies House but, although many businesses choose to rent physical office space, this isn't always feasible for small businesses and start-ups working on limited budgets.

Let’s take a look at your options.

You might want to use your private residential address as the formal address, but there are some disadvantages of using your home address as a business address. In fact, it’s highly recommended to not use your home address for your business address, and here are the reasons why. For one, this would mean having all statutory communications and legal notices delivered to your home. Secondly, using your home address compromises your family's privacy, as it will be publicly available information on Companies House.

A much better option is to use a registered office address for company formation.

At the company formation stage, it’s important to ensure that all legal requirements are met and fulfilled. A virtual office fulfils all of your legal obligations, as well as being cost-effective, flexible and offering you personal privacy. When looking for a cheap virtual office address, there are a range of factors you need to consider.

Let's take a look at each of them to ensure you're best placed to identify the best registered office address provider for your needs.

Key criteria for choosing the best registered address provider

There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a trusted registered address provider. We’ve narrowed down the list of criteria to the six most important factors:

1. Prime location.

The credibility of your business can be dramatically enhanced with a registered company address in a certain location, or type of location. For example, if you use your home address, or if customers search for your 'office' on Google Street View they might realise it's operating out of a residential home.

In contrast, by registering a virtual address in a prestigious location you can appear more professional to customers and suppliers alike.

From a practical perspective, some providers such as the Hoxton Mix offer digitised mail forwarding, so it doesn’t matter where you are based, you will get your mail delivered to your inbox within one working day.

2. Value for money

While keeping your budget in mind is essential, don't just go for the cheapest virtual address in the UK without considering the value you'll get. Take the time to compare office plans and assess the features they offer. Find a provider that gives you a comprehensive package with all the necessary perks at a reasonable cost. Also, look out for volume allowances and add ons that can sometimes be hidden in the small print.

You should calculate the value based on the price, as well as the value that the services bring to you and how much it simplifies your business operations.

3. Extra services offered

A virtual office is not the only thing that can make your business grow faster. Consider what other services you might need to streamline your business operations. Some providers offer awesome add-ons and services like business mail redirection, call forwarding, affordable meeting rooms, and administrative support. Having these extras at your disposal can make a world of difference and save you the hassle of sourcing these services separately.

4. Legal compliance

The registered address for UK companies must fulfil certain criteria, so you need to make sure your virtual office address will meet those obligations.

The address you register your company to must be a physical address in the UK, and be in the same country your company is registered to. For example, if your company is registered in Scotland, it must be an address in Scotland, not England or Wales.
The address must also be 'appropriate', that is, you or someone on your behalf will be made aware of documents and post received at that address. The address you use must ‘act on behalf’ of the company, with the ability to confirm delivery.
Registered Service Address vs Registered Directors Address.

There is a small nuance between a 1) registered company address which is the official address of a company; and 2) a director's service address which is the address where a director receives company communications. When you register your company with Companies House, the registered service address is the key one.

Note that it's no longer possible to use a PO Box as your registered office address and that registered offices should not be confused with a business trading address or a business mailing address, which are addresses for your business contacts and clients..

5. Reviews

Different businesses will have varying requirements from their registered office address provider,, but it is still worth checking out what others say about them. Look for customer reviews and testimonials to gauge their reputation and track record of delivering their services. You want a partner you can trust, so dig deep to discover if there are any red flags or known issues. Focus on those things that are important for your immediate needs and future needs.

6. Flexibility and contract terms

Life is unpredictable, and so is business. Choose a registered office address provider with flexible contract terms that allow you to adapt as your business grows or if you need to make changes to your address for any reason. Avoid being tied into lengthy contracts that could limit your options. Also, look for hidden charges, volume limits and add-ons.

The best registered office address providers in the UK

The cost of a registered office address can vary, and mostly the costs depend on the location — Central London, East London, Greater London, Essex, etc. Typically, you’ll be able to rent a registered address for a monthly price starting from £2.99 per week, up to £45+ per month. Bear in mind that sometimes, the low price can be offset by higher charges for other services, such as business mail forwarding or company formation.

We have reviewed the best virtual business address providers in the UK and can share our findings below.

Hoxton Mix

Unsurprisingly, we put ourselves at #1, but justifiably so. Just look at our reviews and product offering with unique features you won’t get elsewhere. We're one of the most trusted providers of registered office addresses in the UK, offering some of the most affordable and best virtual office space in London. Our motto has always been about helping SME’s grow.

With the Hoxton Mix you can secure a virtual business address in a prime location in Shoreditch, available from £20 per month for our most popular price plan.

The company was launched in 2007 as a creative hub and is currently rated 4.9/5.0 on reviews.io and 4.7/5.0 on Trustpilot. You can also get add-ons, such as full-service mail handling done at scale with machine learning (it scans, sorts, directs and digitises your post), meeting room rental, and company formation services (for a relatively low up front charge). What's more, you can also take advantage of a number of excellent discounts on supplementary services and software available through our Marketplace, including 90% off Xero accounting software for six months, and 25% off Slack Business+ for 12 months, and a great business banking offer of £75 back and 1 year free transfers provided by tide.Click here to find out more.

Office Central

Office Central is a budget-friendly UK registered office address provider catering to businesses in East London. Their rates start at just £0.35 per day, making them an attractive option for startups and small businesses on a tight budget.

While they offer reliable mail handling services at £12 per month, their location and overall service offerings might not match the level of prestige and versatility compared to other providers.

London Base

If you are looking for a well-rounded solution with an established registered address in Central London, London Base is a decent provider as well. Their rates start at £0.40 per day, striking a balance between affordability and a prime location in the heart of the city. With a solid rating of 4.8/5.0 on reviews.io, London Base demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction. However, they are rather limited in terms of additional services and perks.

Pro Biz Centre

Among the best registered office address providers, Pro Biz Centre in Greater London comes across as cost-effective and reputable. Their rates start at just £0.32 per day, making them an appealing choice for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. They offer mail handling services for £12 per month and ensure compliance and security for your business needs. Still, their location and range of additional services may not match the level of credibility and convenience that your business requires.

Why is the Hoxton Mix the best registration address provider?

Based on our affordability, location and breadth of additional services, we believe that the Hoxton Mix is the best business address service provider. On our website you can find many different services for companies that want to set up and maintain a presence in a great location, while even our higher-tier plans are highly competitive on price.

By choosing the Hoxton Mix, small business owners get their prestigious address combined with services that were traditionally out of reach of small organisations, as well as saving on the cost of renting an actual office space., while Established companies have the opportunity to expand the talent pool and conduct business from a Central London address adding credibility towards clients and employees alike.

You can also rent a virtual office with a phone number for an extra £6.99 per month. In addition to the standard virtual office features, you’ll get a prime London 020 number, as well as forwarding to a UK/EU/US landline and UK mobiles.

If you haven’t officially registered your company yet, you can even use our free company formation service.

Final thoughts

When choosing your registered office address provider there's a lot to consider, but the key is to choose a company that can offer packages that suit your needs, including a variety of supporting virtual office services that can help your business thrive.

At the Hoxton Mix we have a range of plans suited to different needs and budgets, starting from just £18 per month. Whether you simply want to collect your business mail from our central London office, or a comprehensive mail handling service that forwards your physical mail as well as digital copies, we've got you covered.

To find out more about the plans and pricing we have available, click below and register your brand new registered and virtual office address within minutes.

Find the right virtual office address for your business with plans starting from £0.49 a day

FAQ

What is a registered office address provider?

A registered office address provider is a company that offers an official correspondence address on a subscription basis, avoiding having to use your residential address as your registered office for company registration.

Do I need a registered address?

Yes, a registered address is required from any company operating in the UK. It must be a physical location to which the Companies House and HMRC will send official correspondence. Bear in mind that it must be in the same country/jurisdiction where the company’s activities will take place.

What is the importance of a registered office address?

A registered office address is vital for establishing your business's reputation and legal compliance. It serves as the official correspondence address where statutory communications and legal notices are sent, while it can also be the address you use in public-facing communications. A reputable address also enhances your company's professional image and credibility.

How to choose a registered office address provider in London?

The main criteria to consider when looking at the best virtual business address providers are location, value for money, extra services offered, legal compliance and the company’s reputation.

What is the difference between a virtual address and a registered address?

A virtual address is a service that provides a business address without physical office space, often including mail handling and call forwarding. On the other hand, a registered address is the official location registered with government authorities, ensuring legal compliance and receipt of official communications.

Which is the best London registered office address provider?

Make sure to compare offers from different companies to see which one suits your business needs the most. Some of the best providers on the market are the Hoxton Mix, Official Central, London Base and Pro Biz Centre.

Is renting a registered office address expensive?

It depends on the provider and the types of services included in the package. If you choose our most popular plan, which includes your virtual address and mail scanning services from our central London office, it can cost as little as £20 per month. If you want the official correspondence to be forwarded or scanned, the cost will be slightly higher and is available as a pay as you use option.

Can I use a registered address that is not in London?

Yes, as long as it’s in the same jurisdiction as your company’s operations. That said, having a London-based address has its benefits, especially if you use it as a trading address as well.