Definition: what is a direct debit contract?

Company headquarters

When setting up a company, you need to choose a registered office, i.e. a physical business address where the company is based for third parties and the tax authorities. This address is required on many official company documents, and will appear on all outgoing documents: invoices, quotations, advertising, etc.

The company's registered office is therefore the official fiscal and legal address of the company, which may be distinct from the place or places where the company carries out its activities.

Why choose commercial domiciliation for your head office?

Commercial domiciliation is the allocation of an official fiscal and legal address different from the address of the company's administrative headquarters and/or place of business. This allows you to benefit from a more accessible, more prestigious address, in prestigious areas of the city of your choice.

Before exploring the details of the domiciliation contract, it's important to recall the advantages of domiciliation for domiciled companies.

Indeed, choosing to domicile your head office with a specialized company will above all provide you with a strategic and prestigious address in business or high-profile districts. This can considerably enhance the perception of your company in the eyes of third parties, strengthening its brand image and boosting its credibility, particularly with potential investors, partners, prospects and customers.

Business domiciliation also offers significant savings, as the entrepreneur can avoid the high costs associated with renting an office (short or long-term commercial lease), which represents real growth leverage for a start-up structure.

What's more, domiciliation companies offer additional, tailor-made services:

• professional mail management,
• a switchboard,
• a physical secretariat,
• digital transmission of mail and calls, 
• the availability of meeting rooms to suit your needs, by the hour or day.
• coworking spaces on an hourly rental basis.

These ancillary services enable a manager and his staff to work flexibly, and receive customers and partners, while eliminating the fixed costs of a commercial lease. By transforming these fixed costs into variable costs, the company makes substantial savings.

Domiciliation can therefore make a significant difference, first and foremost because it saves you time, money and flexibility, enabling you to go straight to work, without wasting time looking for premises or dealing with calls and mail. 

What's more, a prestigious head office address builds a strong brand image for your company, in line with its identity and needs.

Finally, with your customers and partners, à la carte services such as meeting rooms and warm working spaces lend professionalism and credibility to your company, encouraging them to work with you in complete confidence. 

Definition: what is a direct debit contract?

If you choose to set up your business through a domiciliation company, you'll need to sign a domiciliation contract. But what does this contract entail? 

A company domiciliation contract is a legal document detailing the terms and conditions of domiciliation. It is signed between a domiciliary (domiciliation company) and a domicitee (the customer). This contract stipulates the integration of a company's head office into premises shared with other companies. It guarantees a clear, mutually beneficial business relationship. 

⚠️ The commercial domiciliation contract is governed by a decree dated December 5, 1985 and by the Syndicat National des Centres d'Affaires et du Centre de Domiciliation (SNCAED).

This contract must include :

• the duration of the contract,
• rules governing renewal (tacit or not, notice period, etc.),
• the contractual commitment of both parties (the domiciliary and the domiciliary company) in terms of expected services, packages (monthly, quarterly, annual, per service, etc.) and rates.

Obligations of the domiciliary company

Under the domiciliation contract, signed by both parties, the domiciliary company undertakes to provide the domiciled company with the services, equipment and premises specified in the services package, as well as any optional extras chosen. 

It is also obliged to inform the clerk's office of the commercial court of any termination of an entity's domiciliation on its premises. The termination of a domiciliation therefore entails a change of registered office procedure for the domiciled company.

Obligations of the domiciled company

The domiciled company is also bound by the domiciliation contract, and must notify its domiciliary of any legal changes, use the premises exclusively and effectively for its business , and may not sub-domicile a third-party entity to the contract. 

It must also specify the address of its registered office when applying for registration with the online one-stop business portal, and provide a copy of this domiciliation contract to the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS), indicating the identity of the domiciliary company. 

What are the essential elements to check on a direct debit contract?

When signing a business domiciliation contract, there are a number of key points to bear in mind, to make sure it's right for your needs. In fact, there are many elements to consider.

Identifying the parties involved

The domiciliation contract must specify the identity of each party. It therefore includes the names, addresses, telephone numbers and other contact details of both the customer and the domiciliation service provider.

This clear identification establishes a solid basis for good communication between the two companies throughout the life of the contract.

Prefectoral approval of the domiciliation company

Prefectoral approval is issued by the relevant authorities and confirms that the domiciliation company domiciling your company is legally authorized to carry out its domiciliation activities. It must be indicated on the contract. 

This ensures that you're working with a reliable company that complies with current regulations. And of course, don't hesitate to ask about the reputation of the domiciliary company, and check that it is properly registered with the RCS before committing yourself to it.

The address proposed by the company for your head office

Carefully examine the address proposed by the company domiciling your business. Make sure it corresponds to your specific activity and needs. Depending on your company's activity, you may prefer a business district of Paris or a commercial area. If the domiciliation company has a catalog of addresses, you can use it to choose the most suitable location for your company.

Contract duration, renewal and termination conditions

Check the terms and conditions of your contract. It may be for a fixed or indefinite period. 

Make sure you understand the conditions for tacit or non-tacit renewal, and the conditions for termination of the company domiciliation contract (notice periods, medium: registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, proof of deregistration or transfer of registered office from the commercial court clerk's office, amendment of company articles of association, etc.).

Being well-informed about these aspects will enable you to better plan the future of your business according to your short- and long-term needs.

Services and rates

The domiciliation company can provide you with a whole range of services, depending on the type of contract you choose. These may vary from one company to another (management of business mail and parcels, telephone or physical switchboard, equipped business premises, etc.).

Make sure that the services offered by the domiciliation company correspond to your company's specific needs.

In addition, check the rates associated with each service, including any additional charges, to ensure financial transparency and avoid future unpleasant surprises.

We strongly recommend that you make sure that your direct debit contract does not include any hidden charges, apart from a tempting lump sum that covers very few services. 

The confidentiality clause

Make sure the domiciliation contract contains a strong confidentiality clause to protect sensitive information exchanged between your company and the company domiciling you. 

This clause can be added to any professional contract to protect the data of the parties involved. 

The domiciliation company must undertake to maintain the confidentiality of your company's data, and not to divulge confidential information to third parties without your prior consent.

Mail and call management and transmission

The domiciliation contract must specify clear and detailed procedures for receiving mail, handling telephone calls, and forwarding calls and mail to the domiciled company. 

Likewise, call handling procedures must be transparent, ensuring that your calls are handled professionally and according to your specific instructions.

Change of registered office address

Finally, you need to understand how to change your address. The contract must specify the steps to be taken and the time required to change address. Find out about any charges or constraints associated with the change. 

A clearly established procedure for changing your address will ensure a smooth transition as your business evolves.

If you take these points into account in the domiciliation contract, you'll be able to conclude a profitable agreement with the domiciliary. 

Naturally, our teams will be happy to guide you in your choice of a domiciliary company, so don't hesitate to contact us directly.

Why choose online direct debit for your contract?

At , all the formalities are carried out online with an Internet domiciliation company. Online company domiciliation gives you flexibility and speed. You can do it at any time of day, quickly and without having to travel! So you save time and money. 

You benefit from all the advantages of a traditional domiciliation company, while enjoying the convenience of the Internet:

• Price: far less expensive and restrictive than renting premises
• Credibility: by locating your head office address in a prestigious area, you can ensure a certain legitimacy.
• Protection of your privacy: a commercial address is more secure than your personal address in your head office, because you won't have to expose your private address on the Internet, and can avoid being constantly disturbed by third parties in your business.
• Meeting room or office rental: meet your colleagues or customers in dedicated, professional spaces.

Who can benefit from online domiciliation?

Commercial domiciliation is an attractive option for all companies wishing to save time and money, by concentrating their efforts on growing their business. 

It is open to all entrepreneurs:

• sole traders,
• company founders, 
• liberal professions,
• associations.

However, there are cases where online company domiciliation is particularly appropriate.

For example, when your company needs a prestigious image or leverage for its reputation, a Paris address or an address on the Champs Elysées is highly recommended. This will give your company a solid, prestigious image, which is essential in many fields.

It is also recommended for self-employed entrepreneurs and freelancers. It's economical and more secure than domiciliation at a private address. What's more, it offers another significant advantage: when setting up a business, you may need to change location in the first few years, to adapt to your needs and growth. With a business address, you can save on the cost of transferring your head office.

Finally, using an online domiciliation company can be an advantage for large companies too: some foreign companies choose online domiciliation to domicile their French branch.

How can I obtain a direct debit contract online?

At SeDomicilier.fr, you can get a direct debit contract online in just 5 minutes!

To do this, simply :

• Select an address of your choice,
• customize your mail management options,
• provide proof of address,
• provide proof of identity,
• sign the contract directly online.

Obtaining a direct debit contract is quick and easy, and only takes a few clicks. You benefit from all the advantages of a direct debit company, while enjoying the convenience of the Internet.

You'll receive your contract directly on the digital medium of your choice, and can sign it electronically whenever and wherever you like. 

You can then add options according to your needs: meeting room or office reservation, hotline, call forwarding, etc.