Virtual office (VO) and mail-handling services are not staffed by your company or by the provider for the purpose of statutory inspections. Because a SAIL must allow physical access to the records within statutory timeframes, a VO address does not meet the legal requirements. Listing a VO as a SAIL can result in non-compliance and possible Companies House queries.
What should a business do instead?
- Keep records at your own premises; or
- Use a staffed location (e.g., your accountant or solicitor’s office) that can host inspections; or