Articles on: Virtual Office

Using a Virtual Office Address in the UK — What You Can and Can’t Do

Many businesses use a virtual office (VO) service like Hoxton Mix. Below we explain what you can use a VO for, what you can’t, and the key laws and guidance that apply.

1. Can I use a virtual office as my Registered Office?

Yes — if the provider meets the legal requirements.

Under the Companies Act 2006, section 86 (as amended by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023), every company must have a Registered Office Address that is an “appropriate address”.
“Appropriate” means that documents delivered there will, in the ordinary course of events, come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company.
PO Boxes are not acceptable.
The address must be in the same UK jurisdiction where the company is incorporated (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland).

👉 Companies House guidance: Company address rules

✅ Hoxton Mix qualifies as an appropriate registered office address because it is a physical UK address with reliable mail handling and forwarding.

2. Can I use a virtual office as my Trading Address?

Yes — but mainly for correspondence and marketing.

There is no law preventing you from using a VO as your trading address (for invoices, contracts, website, marketing, stationery, etc.), as long as it’s a real physical UK address with mail handling. Hoxton Mix meets this requirement.
However, for tax and regulatory purposes, HMRC may ask for your Principal Place of Business (PPOB) — i.e. where orders are processed, management occurs, or operations take place.

👉 HMRC VAT Registration Manual — Principal Place of Business (VATREG03550)

⚠️ A VO address (including Hoxton Mix) cannot substitute for your PPOB if no actual trading takes place there.

Safe wording example:

“Business correspondence/trading address: [Hoxton Mix address]. Principal Place of Business (PPOB): [Your operational address].”

3. Can directors and officers use a virtual office as their Service Address?

Yes.

Under Companies Act 2006, sections 1140–1142, directors, company secretaries, and PSCs (persons with significant control) can provide a service address instead of their residential address.
A VO service address (such as Hoxton Mix) is fully compliant, provided mail is handled reliably.

👉 Companies House: Director’s service address

4. Can I use a virtual office for Marketing and Correspondence?

Yes.

You can use a VO (including Hoxton Mix) on websites, headed paper, invoices, and marketing materials.
However, under the Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008, you must correctly display your registered name and company details.
You must not give a misleading impression about the nature or location of your operations — otherwise you risk breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

👉 Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008

👉 Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

5. Can I use a virtual office as my Principal Place of Business (PPOB) for VAT?

No — unless you actually trade from there.

HMRC requires your PPOB to be where the business is “centrally managed and controlled” and where day-to-day activities are carried out.
A VO address (including Hoxton Mix) alone will not normally qualify as your PPOB unless real business operations are conducted there.

👉 HMRC VAT Manual — PPOB Definition

✅ Summary — Quick Rules

Registered Office — ✅ Yes, if VO meets “appropriate address” test (CA 2006 s.86). Hoxton Mix qualifies.
Trading Address — ✅ Yes, for correspondence/marketing. ❌ Not valid for PPOB.
Service Address (Directors/PSCs) — ✅ Yes, VO is fine (CA 2006 ss.1140–1142).
Marketing/Website/Invoices — ✅ Yes, but must follow Trading Disclosures Regs 2008.
PPOB (HMRC/VAT) — ❌ No, unless you actually run your operations there.

References to Law & Guidance

Updated on: 15/09/2025

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