Which recommended Virtual Office

bobbyh_2

Hi All,

I am on the last stages of my self-employment setup and am looking into London based Virtual Offices. Google only came up with two possibles;

londonpresence.com

office-answers.com

£15 per month and £30 per month respectively. Could someone please give their thoughts about these Virtual Offices in particular and also general advise/etc about using such services? As you can appreciate it's a little nervy stepping into this unknown area - being ripped off is my main concern, hence why I would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks in advance

Bob

JAYk_2

London Presence seem reasonable; testimonials and a registered, Ltd company. I'd just try them out as you don't know what they are like until you have tried, just like with any other company. If they have what you're looking for try them.

There are other VO services:

W1Office
Regus
YourCityOffice
VOffice

Hammyman

My first question would be "why do you want one?"

bobbyh_2

Thanks Jayk

Hi Hammyman:

I will be doing my mobile service which does not really require a physical office, but at the same time I live in a council flat so cannot use that address (and even if I could I wouldn't.....looks unprofessional IMHO).

A virtual office will give me a central london address, 0845 number (redirected to my landline) for free and basically cut costs. I have tried looking around london high streets for shop/office space but they are tied up in red tape (legal requirements, dustbin fees, council fees, etc).

Also, to some degree the virtual office companies are just that - legal companies who are obliged by law etc to provide the services they state. A private shop owner who rents out a bit of space might not be so lawful (i'm just presuming, rightly or wrongly).

I will not be a big operation within the first two years (but never say never!) and therefore will not require all the trimmings (phone call forwarding, physical office space, etc).

Regards

Bob

bobbyh_2

A question just came to me:

If you have a virtual office; Are you working from home or technically working from an office?

The reason I ask is because surely the tax man, hmrc etc would argue that because your computer equipment and paperwork are not there in that virtual office, but at home instead, would you be entitled to claim back capital/allowable expenses?

Regards

Bob

jamesperrett

bobbyh wrote: »

because your computer equipment and paperwork are not there in that virtual office, but at home instead, would you be entitled to claim back capital/allowable expenses?

In my experience, yes - especially if you use a different computer for work than for home.

James.

bobbyh_2

Hi jamesperrett,

Thanks for clarifying. BTW, What would the hmrc's etc take be on the virtual office? Would they say you are a work from home or mobile office? Just curious.

Regards

Bob