When Using Your Home Address for Your Business Goes Wrong

You may have heard of entrepreneurs using their home address when registering their business, and perhaps even wondered if this is a step you should consider.

Even though this can seem like a practical, cost-effective solution — with one less expense to worry about in the early days of launching your business — you should note that doing so will inevitably link your personal space to your professional identity, which can lead to unexpected consequences. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss the potential risks of using your home address for your business and explore real-life stories that highlight the importance of protecting your privacy.

7 Real-Life Horror Stories of Using a Home Address for Your Business

There are a number of risks associated with registering your business at your home address — ranging from privacy breaches and unsolicited visitors to legal complications and, in the most extreme cases, threats to your personal safety. 

This is because once your home address is tied to your business, it will likely become part of public records, making it accessible to anyone — clients, vendors, or even strangers — through online directories and business registries.

Below, we’ve broken down seven shocking real-life stories that show how a simple decision can cost you your peace of mind — and expose you to far more than you might have ever anticipated. 

1. When a Refund Dispute Crosses the Line

In Denver, Colorado, a female entrepreneur running an online retail business from her home became the target of relentless harassment following a refund dispute with a disgruntled customer.

The customer, frustrated by what they perceived as an unfair resolution, used her publicly listed home address to send threatening letters and make late-night phone calls, attempting to pressure her into issuing a refund. 

This resulted in the customer eventually showing up at her home unannounced, and was ultimately resolved with police intervention — though not before escalating to a very alarming level.

2. When Professional Rivalry Turns Hostile

In Portland, Oregon, a freelance graphic designer who used their home address for business became the target of harassment after landing a major client that a local competitor had also pursued.

Feeling slighted, the competitor began by leaving threatening notes at their doorstep, before ultimately showing up at their home and vandalizing the property while the designer was away.

The situation eventually led to a costly legal battle before being settled in court, although it left a lasting emotional strain on the designer.

3. When Outdated Records Lead to Danger

In San Diego, California, a therapist faced a troubling ordeal when her outdated home address — which was still listed in public business records — attracted the unwanted attention of a former client. 

The client, who had grown obsessively fixated, began showing up at the therapist’s house uninvited, leaving gifts and notes.

As his behavior escalated, he started appearing at odd hours — insisting on seeing the therapist and even proposing marriage multiple times.

This behavior continued until he was eventually arrested for trespassing and harassment.

4. When a Licensing Error Invades Privacy

In Boston, Massachusetts, a bar owner who listed his home address and personal phone number on his liquor license experienced an unexpected wave of disruptive, late-night calls that rapidly escalated from mere spam to outright hostility.

The reason behind this onslaught stemmed from a mistake by the company managing his credit card payments, which accidentally connected his personal phone number to multiple customer transactions. This led to a flood of angry calls from people who believed they were wrongly charged.

Ultimately, the bar owner faced extensive personal and financial costs to rectify the issue, which included changing phone numbers, reprinting marketing materials, and enduring an exhausting back-and-forth legal battle with the responsible company.

5. When Google Listings Direct Clients to Your Door

In Dallas, Texas, a business owner who listed their home address as their business location on Google faced an unsettling experience. 

After failing to update their business hours online, a disgruntled client showed up at their home, believing it was still open for business.

The situation turned tense when the client refused to leave and insisted on being served, eventually escalating to a heated confrontation that required police intervention to resolve.

6. When Business Registration Leads to Eviction

In Chicago, Illinois, a tech consultant operating a small startup from her rented apartment received an eviction notice after her landlord discovered the property’s address listed in a publicly available business registry.

While the consultant never hosted clients onsite and assumed her virtual operations wouldn’t cause a problem, the landlord viewed this as a clear violation of the lease’s “no commercial activity” clause. 

As a result, the consultant had to quickly find alternative housing and navigate the financial and logistical challenges of relocating both her home and business — leaving her with unexpected expenses and significant disruption to her operations.

7. When Protests Target Your Home

In a suburban neighborhood near Atlanta, Georgia, a lawyer who publicly listed her home address for her legal practice found herself besieged by protests after activists uncovered her involvement in a controversial case. 

Outraged by her representation of a high-profile client, protesters found her address through the state’s business registration database and began staging demonstrations on her front lawn, drawing media attention and causing widespread disruption in the neighborhood.

Feeling unsafe and overwhelmed by the constant scrutiny, the lawyer ultimately made the difficult decision to move to a new home in an effort to protect her family’s privacy and restore a sense of normalcy.

So, Where Should Your Business Be Registered?

On account of the aforementioned horror stories, you may be wondering what a suitable alternative for your business is. 

In almost all cases, you’re going to want to use a registered agent service for your business, as it is the simplest way to protect your privacy and keep your personal and professional lives separate.

This is because, by using a registered agent service, you’ll be able to:

• Keep your business address off public records
• Ensure that all legal documents are handled on time
• Stay compliant with all state requirements
• Maintain a legitimate commercial address
• Keep sensitive business information protected

That said, there are a couple of very specific cases where acting as your own registered agent might make sense, including:

• Being in the early stages of your business with very limited resources, where even the smallest expenses will need to be carefully managed.
• Operating from a dedicated commercial office that will serve as your official business address and will be staffed during standard business hours.

Keep in mind that although you can hire a business attorney in lieu of a registered agent service this is seldom recommended as it is significantly more expensive (and often literally inaccessible for small business owners with a limited budget). 

Using Your Home as a Business Address Gone Wrong FAQs