CAN I register my home as an office?

[BLANS]

i owned a wesite and I want to register my homeas an office is that possible?and where do I need to register my website?thanks in advance to everyone

 

[rickytedd]

There's no requirement to register a home-based business unless you are going to hire staff since you need to file for them tax ID and payroll taxes.

But that depends on which state your home-based business in.

 

[PitchYourCase]

You can register your home as an office, but if things go wrong your house will be counted as part of a business. That's worst case scenario, someone correct me on this if I'm wrong.

 

[akirk]

you can use your home as a registered office (I assume that is what you mean?) and no, if all goes wrong it does not affect your home.

you do though need to check that you have no covenants etc. in your deeds / mortgage / etc. which prohibit this...

this is applicable usually for ltd. companies as the registered office is the place where people can formally serve documents / correspond / see the shareholders' register / etc.

for sole traders I am not aware that you have to have the same formality of office - however you do need to have a point of contact, and your home can work for that as well.

you don't need to register your website, however there is certain information it needs to carry - and the main office / registered office / etc. would be amongst that.

Alasdair

 

[estwig]

Don't register your home as an office, not in the proper sense anyway, this will open up a mine field of planning permission, insurance, health and safety, business rates and all sorts of other unwanted red tape.

You register your business, if ltd at your accountants address, but you trade from your home address, whether you are ltd or a sole trader.

 

[shugied]

From a casual chat with the local planners a few years ago, they are only interested in physical changes ie new buildings, and could care less about where companies are registered.

As someone who uses accountants sparingly, I've no issue with having companies registered at home, saves money. I suspect I'm being naughty about not displaying the sign required under the Companies Act for the registered office. No buns for me at tea time then.

 

[estwig]

As someone who uses accountants sparingly, I've no issue with having companies registered at home, saves money. I suspect I'm being naughty about not displaying the sign required under the Companies Act for the registered office. No buns for me at tea time then.

Sparing the use of accountants gets my vote, only so many times the same piece of paper can be pushed around!

As for registering your company at your home address, fine until it all goes boobies up, then you got creditors knocking on your door, whilst your trying to enjoy your tea and buns!

 

[davek17]

Hi There

It doesn't really matter if you register your home address and indeed there are benefits to doing so. You will have a solid address as you grow so you won't have to go through the whole process of changing all your post etc.

As far as I know as a director of a ltd company or as a sole trader, you're liable for your company anyway these days and that includes your house if you have one. Thats not because you registered the home address though, its because you're just liable as a business owner.

THe only downside is that it can look a bit unprofessional but I know plenty of decenmt siozed businesses that just never got round to changing the registrered address and there's nothing wrong with it!

If you want a cheap business address then you could buy virtual services. Even Regus do a package but it is expensive and local incubators will help you too.

DaveK

 

[shugied]

Hi There

As far as I know as a director of a ltd company or as a sole trader, you're liable for your company anyway these days and that includes your house if you have one. Thats not because you registered the home address though, its because you're just liable as a business owner.

DaveK

Liability as a sole trader for certain, but rather less so as a director, unless you sign personal guarantees. As far as I know the concept of limited liability has not been changed, although if a director's conduct is naughty they can be made liable if a Court orders it. Not the simplest of things to do, so I have been told.

 

[davek17]

When was the last time you tried to get credit or go into any kind of debt without being asked to sign a perosnal G'tee!?

I think these days its prudent to think that you are always liable for your actions as a small business.

 

[akirk]

When was the last time you tried to get credit or go into any kind of debt without being asked to sign a perosnal G'tee!?

I think these days its prudent to think that you are always liable for your actions as a small business.

2003 - 2006 but agree it has changed...
not needed credit / debt for this business - the previous one was a VC backed business, with Bank supported gov. loans - £100k+ but no personal guarantees - interestingly enough with the gov supported loans it was illegal for the bank to ask for personal guarantees...

I do believe though that things have got tougher and agree it is a good model to consider that you are always liable for your actions...

Alasdair

 

[shugied]

When was the last time you tried to get credit or go into any kind of debt without being asked to sign a perosnal G'tee!?

I think these days its prudent to think that you are always liable for your actions as a small business.

I'd not argue with your view about prudence about actions, and as an honest person I'd not have cause to worry about my actions either. But the actions of others can take even profitable companies into the abyss, and the actions of governments do so with alarming regularity. As a lot of people involved in supplying IT services to the public sector are going to find out in the next year I suspect.

As to when I last signed a personal guarantee, I think it was about 1987, and it was an expensive lesson. Personally I'd never do it again, even returning to employee status is better than risking my house.

 

[estwig]

As far as I know as a director of a ltd company or as a sole trader, you're liable for your company anyway these days and that includes your house if you have one. Thats not because you registered the home address though, its because you're just liable as a business owner.

This is wrong, a director of a limited company is not liable for debts incurred by the company. That's the whole point of a ltd company.

 

[akirk]

This is wrong, a director of a limited company is not liable for debts incurred by the company. That's the whole point of a ltd company.

They are if there is mismanagment of certain types...
but generally not...

Alasdair

 

[space4work]

If you don't want to register your home as an office you could always use a virtual office. Using your home address may give the wrong impression and get unwelcome visitors.

Also with a virtual office you can get a professional mailing address and you can choose where you want your address to be.

Hope this was helpful