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If you’re setting up a limited company in the UK, one of the first choices you’ll make is your registered office address. Many directors use their home address because it’s simple, free, and available straight away.

But the simplest option isn’t always the right one. Before you decide, it helps to understand what this address is used for — and what changes once it appears on the public record.

What is a registered office address?

Your registered office address is your company’s official address. Companies House uses it for formal correspondence such as confirmation statement reminders and legal notices. It doesn’t have to be where you work day to day, it just needs to be a real UK address where official mail can be delivered.

It’s also shown on the public Companies House register, which means anyone can look it up online for free.

Can you use your home address?

Yes. UK company law allows you to use your home address as your registered office address, as long as it’s a physical address in the UK (not a PO Box).

For many new directors, it feels like the obvious option: nothing to arrange, no extra cost, and it works fine if you’re starting small and working from home.

However, there are a few drawbacks that often only become clear later on.

The privacy issue

Once your home address is your registered office address, it becomes public. It appears on Companies House and is often picked up by third-party sites, data services, and mailing lists.

That can mean:

• Your personal and business life become harder to separate.
• You may receive unsolicited mail, marketing letters, or scam post.
• Your home address can be found by clients, competitors, and strangers.

Even if this doesn’t feel like a concern at the start, many directors find it becomes one as the business grows.

Safety and boundaries

Most businesses won’t run into problems, but sharing a residential address publicly can increase unwanted contact. It can also blur boundaries. Some people assume an address is somewhere they can visit or treat it as a sign you’re always ‘available’.

Over time, that overlap between work and home can become stressful.

Professional image

Your registered office address can shape first impressions. A residential address may make a company look smaller or less established, especially when you’re dealing with corporate clients, investors, or potential partners. In some sectors, a professional address helps build trust sooner.

What’s the alternative?

A registered office address service lets you use a different UK address for official company purposes while still working from home (or anywhere else).

Typically, this means:

• Official mail is received and handled securely
• You stay fully compliant with UK company law
• Your home address stays off the public register
• Your company has a consistent, professional address

If you don’t need a physical office but you do want a bit more separation and peace of mind, it’s a practical option.

So, should you use your home address?

You can, and plenty of directors do. The key is understanding the trade-offs before you register. Privacy, boundaries, and how your company looks on paper are all worth thinking through early.

For many online or service-based businesses, using a registered office service from day one avoids hassle later and keeps things more streamlined.

Looking for a registered office address provider?

At MYCO, our address services give your company a professional base. With locations in London, Ipswich, and Edinburgh, you can build credibility from day one.

We handle your official mail and keep everything in one place, so you can focus on running your business.

Explore our address packages today.