What is a Virtual Office?

Sometimes called a mail forwarding business or an accommodation address, it is an address which is, in effect, rented to a business or individual to use as their own, despite the business or individual not actually being there. There are many prestigious addresses in the City of Westminster and often a business will acquire a trading address there and use that address in its advertising. Mail will either be collected from the address or forwarded on to another one.

Legislation

The City of Westminster introduced legal controls under the London Local Authorities Act 2007 which came into force in Westminster on the 7th January 2008. 

It requires virtual office/ mail forwarding businesses to register with the Council, keep records of all clients who use their services, including a copy of their identification and proof of address.

The maximum penalty for failing to register with the Council, keep records as required or make false entries is a fine of £5,000. The legislation applies London-wide however it is adoptive which means that a local council can choose whether or not to implement the Act in their area.

The application form should be completed and returned along with the one off  registration fee of £100. The fee is payable by cheque made payable to the "City of Westminster". A certificate will be despatched on receipt of the application.

Please send the application and remittance to:

Trading Standards, 5th Floor Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.

Need more advice?

Should you have any questions please contact:

Bethan Featherby, 0207 641 2589, bfeatherby@westminster.gov.uk or

Vivien Levy, 0207 641 2506, vlevy@westminster.gov.uk.