Can I use my Home Address as Registered Office Address?

Published On: Nov 22, 2017Last Updated: Oct 14, 20233.9 min read

For starters, yes, it is acceptable to use a home address as business address in India. Figuring out a registered office address is one of the first hurdles that entrepreneurs face during the process of company registration in India. Procuring a nice office address to register is always an add-on cost for small businesses.

Many small business owners have home-based businesses. However, when they opt to register their business, they have to look for a principal place of business. It is not cost-effective for small business owners to procure extra costs to register office addresses. It is ideal to use your home address as business address when you are a sole proprietor, or when you have an informal business structure. However, there are many implications to consider when you are opting to go ahead with a formal business structure. Let’s take a look at all the pros and cons of using a residential address as registered office address. 

Also Read: How to choose the right business structure for your business?

What is a registered office?

A registered office is the official business address or “principal place of business” of a registered business such as a company, Limited Liability partnership, or any other legal entity. The registered address of the office is a part of the public records of business and is displayed on the company master data of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

While incorporating a company or LLP in India, the business owners need to provide a registered office address along with proof such as a utility bill dating back to not less than 2 months. 

Can a company or LLP register an office at a home address?

Yes, any address can be an office address. The only point you need to consider is whether the infrastructure is suitable for carrying out a business or not. The best part is, you can even use a rental house address as a business address since you can change your registered office address whenever you want to. However, while considering a residential property on rent, to be used as a business address, you will need to have the written consent of the owner or landlord of that residential address.

Also Read: House Rent Agreements

Here’s a fun fact: It is not mandatory to use a registered office address as the only operating business address. A company or other legal entity can have “branch offices’ apart from the registered office address. 

Most promoters choose the residence as registered office address in order to provide an address which is permanent in nature and to avoid the tedious procedure of change of registered office address after incorporation. Here, the temporary change of place of business is handled wisely until finding the suitable place of the business. Choosing a house address as a business address is a smart decision as residential addresses are more permanent. 

Documents required to register home address as business address

Pros and Cons

Pros of using the home address as a business address: 

  • Saves resources in terms of overhead expenses of procuring a new place of business; 
  • All correspondences and notices of the company will directly reach its owner or director (authorized person); 
  • You are allowed to change registered office address as many times as you want; 
  • By registering branch offices, you can also avoid the tedious process of changing registered office address;
  • You can also opt for GST and other business registrations on that home address; 

Cons of using a residential address as the registered address

  • Your home address will become accessible to the public; 
  • Once you obtain shop & establishment registration on a home address, your property becomes a commercial property while considering taxation; and
  • Lastly, It might create credibility and trust issues among consumers and investors. 

Conclusion

Starting a business in India today is very easy. There are a lot of opportunities for young and creative entrepreneurs. The ability to use a home address as a business address allows young entrepreneurs to begin their journey easily. Whether the owners want to register the home address as a business address or not is based on the sole discretion of the business owners. If you are confused about which address will be better for your business operations, you can always take consultation from certified experts like legalwiz.in!

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CS Prachi Prajapati
About the Author

CS Prachi Prajapati

Company Secretary with a forte in content writing! Started as a trainee, she is now leading as a Content Writer and a Product Developer on technical hand of LegalWiz.in. The author finds her prospect to carve out a valuable position in Legal and Secretarial field.

41 Comments

  1. Hary Ramadhana Nasution 18/11/2018 at 3:28 pm - Reply

    thats good information to us if started new business

  2. Amit 15/04/2019 at 10:13 am - Reply

    Can we put the company board as well in residential address? Can it be removed or it is mandatory requirement as some apts doesn’t allow the same.

    • CS Prachi Prajapati 16/04/2019 at 10:13 am - Reply

      Hi Amit,

      It is mandatory to have a board containing the name and address of registered office of the company outside every office from where the business is carried on.

  3. Ajith 11/03/2021 at 5:50 am - Reply

    1)It was a great information. I just need one small clarity. If a residential place has to be the registered office and i am a tenant, my owner has given me NOC as i treat this as a office and i am only 2 member managed trader. Is it mandatory to have a commercial meter and such things done or only NOC is enough?

    2)Place of Business vs Registered office. Meaning can I have a registered office and operate ie do business at different place. If i am a small trader that would be covenant for me to register a office at a place and do business in other area.

    Kindly help me with this query

    • CS Prachi Prajapati 21/07/2021 at 11:43 am - Reply

      Thanks for your support Ajith. Please review below provided notes on your queries.

      1) If the place is registered for business purpose under Shop & Establishment Act of concerned State, the place will be treated as commercial place and appropriate rate of taxes will be levied on concerned address.

      2) Yes, you can have your residentail property as registered office for all compliace registration and have different place of business. T​he promoters can obtain registration at the residential place and subsequently establish other branch office as and when required. The company/LLP can operate from the place/office other than the registered office.

      Hope this helps.

      • Himanshu Rai 01/03/2022 at 5:58 am - Reply

        Hello Prachi,

        Can we use residential address to register trademark?

        And can we amend address of registered trademark after some time?

        Kindly help me with thus queries.

        • Ruchika Agarwal 02/03/2022 at 10:29 am - Reply

          Hi,

          If you have a residential address as your business address then, you can register a trademark with the same address. The address can be amended as and when you needed.

  4. Geej 07/05/2021 at 5:14 am - Reply

    In case of recoveries does the registered office address also in danger if we provide house address as office

    • CS Prachi Prajapati 21/07/2021 at 11:28 am - Reply

      In case of recoveries you will receive all the comminication on your registered office, however only assets of company will be taken into account. And if registered office is not an asset of company then the same will not be in any danger. Hope this helps.

  5. Ankit Purwar 26/10/2021 at 11:12 am - Reply

    Hi, could elaborate more on the taxation mentioned in the third point of the negatives.

    • Ruchika Agarwal 27/10/2021 at 5:26 am - Reply

      As per the Shop and Establishment Act of the concerned state, residential property has fewer tax rates than a commercial place.

  6. Chandrasekar 21/12/2021 at 5:35 am - Reply

    I am a tenant offering professional services (consultancy) and planning to use the residential rented place place as registered office. Will the nature of business be treated as commercial and attract taxes accordingly as for commercial establishments.

    • Ruchika Agarwal 23/12/2021 at 10:27 am - Reply

      Yes definitely, you can use a residential address to register the company. The place then will be considered as a commercial place and will attract the taxes as applies to commercial establishments.

  7. Kalyana Sundaram 09/02/2022 at 7:52 am - Reply

    Hi, I would like to get the below things clarified.
    I am going to start a online clothing store and to create a website also.

    My question is, i have my own house which is in my wife’s name. Do i need any NOC to register my company name in my home address.
    If i register my company with my home address, what are the taxes that i need pay.
    Will my electric bill be charged as per commercial standard??
    Pls advise..

    • Ruchika Agarwal 10/02/2022 at 8:11 am - Reply

      Hi,
      As you are planning to start a business in your name and the house is in your wife’s name, you need a NOC.

      As your business would be online, if you are only selling your own products online and if turnover is more than INR. 40 lakhs or you want to claim ITC you need to register under GST.
      But if you will also be selling other vendors’ products online through your site then you have to apply for GST registration.

      Moreover, you will be charged as per the commercial standards only.

      For further assistance, you can directly contact us on 1800 313 4151 or email us at support@legalwiz.in

  8. Vamsi Krishna 20/02/2022 at 4:41 pm - Reply

    Excellent article but I’m still not clear on few things. Can you help me out

    1. Do we need to register under shop & establishment act if I want to start an e-commerce business as a sole proprietor & sell products with product packaging under my own brand.

    2. I’m planning to use my relatives address in other state as a registered office place and do operations from other state where I’m currently staying. Is that okay? Also, as I don’t want to register under shop & establishment act, I belive it will not be treated as commercial place.

    3. As my products will be shipping to any state on eCommerce. What license do I need or GST should be just fine.

    Much appreciated mam, if you could help me out.

    • Ruchika Agarwal 24/02/2022 at 8:43 am - Reply

      Hi,

      1. Firstly, Yes, you need a shop and establishment certificate to carry out your business operations legally in the particular state.

      2. Even, if you are planning to operate your business from a different state, your registered office that is your relative place must be considered a commercial place. Legally it is not allowed to start your business and not registered under shop and establishment act.

      3. You must go for GST, MSME and Shop and establishment registration.

      For further assistance, you can contact us on 1800 313 4151 or email us at support@legalwiz.in

  9. Vaish 01/03/2022 at 8:03 am - Reply

    Hi.
    I am making traditional paintings and selling them. Can I give my residential address for registration purposes and register my firm under a brand name initially. And in future can I change my office address in case I start an art firm in future.?

    • Ruchika Agarwal 02/03/2022 at 10:22 am - Reply

      Yes, you can use a residential address and later on, you can change your office address

  10. Renu 16/03/2022 at 7:36 am - Reply

    I have just incorporated a private limited company at my residensial address (registered addrss) in bangalore but have not started any work.

    Still my home address shall be considered as commercial space? I have not taken the GST No. also and do not have any plan to start operation/business at least for another 1-2 years.

    Please suggest

    • Ruchika Agarwal 16/03/2022 at 12:28 pm - Reply

      Hi,
      In such case, you must fulfil the mandatory compliances even if you don’t start the business operations. Also, your residential address will be considered as a commercial place.

  11. Abhinav Kumar Singh 28/04/2022 at 8:45 am - Reply

    If I register company on a residential address will whole building will be treated as commerical place or just the part I am renting.

    As our building is a single owner, and there are 2 tenants other me and I want to register my company. Will whole building will be commercial or only place rented out to me will be commercial.

    • Labdhi Kochar 09/09/2022 at 1:33 pm - Reply

      Hi Abhinav, in case you are talking about one residential flat or house, then the entire house will be treated as commercial place post company registration.

      While Incorporation of an entity, you will require to provide the Utility Bill and MCA will be considering the address given in the utility bill for Registered Office Address details.

      Hence, the address available on utility bill will be considered by government departments for their records.

  12. Anil 13/09/2022 at 5:58 am - Reply

    Hello

    I request for following clarification.

    A. Can we have multiple companies registered at the same commercial address.
    B. In case the registered office is on tenancy basis, would it be required to have an exclusive contract for use of place and which can not be shared..

  13. karen 11/10/2022 at 10:55 am - Reply

    Can i use Electricity bill of my fathers name for registering of of private limited co

  14. Neeraj 04/11/2022 at 10:31 am - Reply

    Hello, I am from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

    I am incorporating PVT LTD and showing my house as the official address to avoid further expenditure on papers for a temporary basis, so the question is after taking the shops & establishment certificate will the status of my house change, I mean Residential to Commercial?
    Will the electricity bill & water bill be charged at the commercial price rate?

    However, I have made the rent deed & NOC, and in those papers, we showed clearly one room as my office only, until we raise any funds.

    Please let me know of any suggestions from your side earliest.

    • Monjima Ghosh 28/11/2022 at 5:12 am - Reply

      Hi Neeraj, yes that is indeed how it works. Once you use your property as a commercial property, the rates of commercial properties will apply, be it for electricity, water bill or taxation purposes. Please reach out to us at legalwiz.in for any further help

  15. Mithun M 02/01/2023 at 2:40 pm - Reply

    Very good article , i need your help to understand that if i am owner of residence flat and i have given my flat address as Registered office address to my one of friend and he has obtained GST and PAN on this address for his private limited company.

    now i want to know whether can i have right to cancel GST and PAN registration which my friend has obtained on my residence address? and what is process ?

    Please guide me

    • Monjima Ghosh 31/01/2023 at 10:28 am - Reply

      Hi Mithun, no you cannot cancel their GST and PAN registration, however, you can send a notice to the GST and PAN authorities stating that your residence is not associated with your friend, and tney will take the necessary action. Thanks!

  16. SATYABRATA RAO 03/01/2023 at 1:34 pm - Reply

    I am incorporating PVT LTD and showing my house as the official address to avoid further expenditure on papers for a temporary basis.Will the electricity bill & water bill be charged at the commercial price rate? or Do we need to register under shop & establishment .pl suggest

    • Monjima Ghosh 17/01/2023 at 11:29 am - Reply

      Hi, yes, if you use your house as your official address for your company, your water and electricity bill will be charged at the commercial price rate. No need to register under Shop and Establishment act

  17. Sridevi 13/02/2023 at 5:21 am - Reply

    I would like to register my online educational institution as pvt company. I have one cofounder. Would like to know if I can use my home address for registration, we are in Tamilnadu so what would be the act we would come under. will it be commercial eb bill? We dont need physical space right now to operate. Kindly guide

    • Monjima Ghosh 14/02/2023 at 2:20 am - Reply

      Hi, yes, You can use your home address for registration. If you use your house as your official address for your company, your water and electricity bills will be charged at the commercial price rate. Additionally, all companies in India come under the Companies Act, 2013 irrespective of the state.

  18. Jacob 27/02/2023 at 11:25 am - Reply

    Hi, Need your expert advise. i had registered my online business say as XYZ LLP and my own house address was used for registration deed, GST and PAN. In google maps also i had set the location to my house address and I have customers leaving online feedback as well for the last 3 years. Some customers started visiting my house hoping to see the products so i have decided to open a small showroom near my house for purpose of viewing the products. How do i go about this? Since all the google reviews have been recorded in In google profile should i just update the current address to the new shop address? Leaving GST/PAN/Registration Deed with my registered house address itself? If i go for Shop and Establishment Licence, is it necessary that the GST and PAN should have the new shop address? Kindly advise? Appreciate your time and support.

    • Monjima Ghosh 20/06/2023 at 1:33 pm - Reply

      Hi, in this case, you will be required to fill the form INC-22 with the MCA for change of registered address. You can reach out to us at support@legalwiz.in for any more queries or for INC-22 filing.

  19. khushi 08/06/2023 at 7:02 am - Reply

    “clarify how wholesale/retail business will be carried out from residence” how i can declare this?

    • Monjima Ghosh 20/06/2023 at 1:30 pm - Reply

      Hi, there is no declaration requirement. You just have to put your home address as the registered address while registering your business with the MCA. If the business is already registered, you have to file a form for change of registered address (Form INC-22) with the MCA and state your home address as the new address.

  20. Mohit 06/07/2023 at 12:25 pm - Reply

    Hello,
    I started my new proprietorship at my residential address and as per rules now place is considered as commercial property.
    So can you help me how much it affect to my property tax and can i change the firm address and my place become residential again.

    • Diksha Shastri 12/07/2023 at 4:50 am - Reply

      Hello Mohit, our team will be connecting with you to resolve your query. Meanwhile, please feel free to reach out to us at support@legalwiz.in

  21. Suhail 22/09/2023 at 7:52 am - Reply

    Hi Team,

    I’m looking to add my home add as company add. Is there any kind of charge that I have to pay which I am unaware of Like, different charge in electricity and water bill?

    Some kind of maintenance bill ?

    • Diksha Shastri 02/10/2023 at 12:38 pm - Reply

      Hi Suhail, Kindly share your contact details with us at support@legalwiz.in and our team of experts will connect with you.

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