Not a lot of people have heard of a SAIL address, which actually means Single Alternative Inspection Location. This address is actually a place where LLP companies or registered companies can go and store all of the company’s statutory records. By doing so, all of the statutory records that a company has would be made available during times of public inspection. It is important to note though that a SAIL address is something that is not really required of all businesses, which is unlike other addresses like registered office addresses.
A company’s registered office address can be entirely different from its SAIL address. However, such addresses can be the same if a company owner chooses to. In this case, Companies House should be informed about this and should be provided information regarding the SAIL address. In the case that Companies House is not informed of a company’s SAIL address, the owner cannot use this address.
In the United Kingdom, a company’s registered office address is a physical address where all of a company’s mail is sent to. This is also where legal documents are sent to. The mail and documents are usually from the HRMC or any government agency that needs to send communication to the company. The registered office address is also the one used in the UK’s public list of companies. Businesses that do not have its own SAIL address would most likely be using the registered address.
Any businesses owner who may want to have a SAIL address and use this can get one. But they have to make sure that their SAIL address can be found in the United Kingdom. It should also be the same area where the business is located, which means that the SAIL address has to be in Wales, England, Northern Ireland, or Scotland.
What records can be kept at a SAIL address?
Only certain records can actually be kept at the SAIL address of a business, and these can be the following:
- Copies of all resolutions
- Minutes of all general meetings
- Register of the residential address of the directors
Aside from those previously mentioned, such an address can also be the place to keep other important records that may be needed and available if an inspection takes place. These records can be:
- Register of the business’ directors
- Register of the business’ charges as well as instruments that create charges
- Register of the business’ secretaries
- Register of People with Significant Control
- Register of holders of debenture
- Register of a business’ members, including the guarantors and the shareholders.
What benefits come with using a SAIL address?
UK businesses are not required to have a SAIL address. Despite this, many business owners choose to get one because it does come with benefits. With a SAIL address, public access to all of a company’s statutory records can become a lot easier and simpler. Businesses also get to benefit from being able to separate all of its daily functions. Owners can also use a SAIL address to have an address in London and they can use the same as their registered address despite their business not being based in London. This is a good thing so that the business can look like it is right in the business district of the city.
How can a SAIL address be set up or changed?
Registering, setting up, or changing a SAIL address should be done by a business owner with Companies House. An AD02 form is needed – it should be filled up, and then submitted via WebFiling. With the AD03, which is another form, owners should put in there all the specific records which will be moved to the registered SAIL address.
Although a SAIL address is not required of companies in the UK, it does come with benefits. Many business owners have used this to make sure that records are simplified. Getting one and setting it up is really easy and would not ask a lot from a business owner. Contact Company Address today and get help on setting one up.
published under Business Address Guides
