New rules were implemented on 1st October 2009 to allow directors of companies in the UK to declare a service address at Companies House. Whilst this is particularly relevant to those involved with sensitive and volatile organisations, it is also of benefit to individuals that may prefer to keep their home address private. These rules came from the Companies Act 2006, which states that all directors now need to declare a service address as well as their residential address. New directors since the date of implementation will be required to give both where as existing directors will automatically have their residential address used as their service address unless they process a change of address request with Companies House. This change is free of charge, as are any other changes to personal or company detail on the company record.

The main benefit of this new rule is that the residential address is protected information and therefore not available to the public or even businesses dealing with Companies House, such as SFS. Only Companies House, government bodies and FSA regulated organisations are now able to gain access to them. This gives a certain level of peace of mind to those people who may turn down a directorship rather than risk their information in the public realm. It also keeps nosey neighbours from easily checking on your company appointments.

The downside is that if you are running a limited company trading from your own address, you may not have an alternative address to provide and therefore still come unstuck under the new rules.

That’s where SFS can be of assistance. Not only is it possible to provide use one of our addresses for a company registered office, it also acceptable to use this same address as a directors’ service address. The service address does not have to be a residential property; in fact the only stipulation is that you must be contactable via that address.

Any customers that have purchased a registered office service from SFS can also use the address as the service address for company directors. There is no charge for this. It is effectively a free director's service address whilst most service providers charge for this. All we ask is that you include your company in the first line of your address. This will enable us to easily identify mail for your company when addressed to a company director.