Does Your Registered Company Address Have to Match Where You Actually Work? What to Know Before You Start a Business

When getting ready to set up a company, the first question many founders run into isn’t the company name, but:

“Where should the company actually be registered?”

In practice, a company’s registered address and the place where its people actually work can differ. Whether an address can be used for company or business registration, however, still depends on the building’s permitted use, local regulations and the actual application requirements.

So before you rent an office, check at least a few things first.

First, whether the address meets the registration and usage requirements for the business you plan to run.

Second, whether the landlord or space provider agrees to the relevant registration.

Third, whether there are extra costs beyond rent, such as management fees, utilities, internet, fit-out, equipment and a security deposit.

Fourth, if you don’t even need to be in the office every day right now, whether you really need to take on the fixed costs of a full physical office.

For a newly founded company, what really matters is first working out your actual operating needs.

If your team mainly works remotely, a business address and flexible meeting space may come first; once you have a permanent team, you can consider a private office.

Not every company needs to start by renting an entire office.

Choose what suits you now, and keep flexibility for the next stage.

Actual eligibility for company registration and the applicable regulations should still be confirmed according to the requirements of the competent authorities and each company’s individual circumstances.

JIN SPACE Guide｜Starting a Business