What is a SAIL Address? A Well-Explained Guide

Limited companies can store and check specific company records using a SAIL address, which is a Single Alternative Inspection Location. Normally, a company’s registered office address is where these records are kept, but occasionally it is more practical. The basic aim of SAIL address is to develop accuracy and better communication between different systems to reduce errors.

In this blog, we will discuss in detail what is a SAIL address. Its use, how it differs from a registered address, what kind of data it contains, and how it could be registered with the company house.

What is a SAIL Address?

A business or limited liability partnership (LLP) may store its mandatory records at a SAIL address, which is a Single Alternative Inspection Location, and make them visible to the public. It is simply utilised for convenience as an alternate inspection site to the registered office; it is not legally required. Your registered office and the SAIL must be within the same UK location if you want to use one. You must notify Companies House and submit a list of the official papers you maintain there.

All statutory company records must be kept in your registered office if you don’t utilise one. The option to retain data typically stored in specific Companies House registers. Private enterprises have had this latter option since June 30, 2016.

Why do Companies Use a SAIL Address?

After explaining what is a SAIL address, we came across its usage and why companies need to use it.

A business may utilise a SAIL address for several purposes, including the maintenance, public access, and storage of statutory registers. It might be a better, more convenient, or more useful option if:

• A director does not wish to allow a public inspection at their house and utilises their residential address as their registered office.
• The registered office is hard to find or reach, or it’s in a remote location.
• If no one is regularly present at the registered office, it would be impractical to seek to view company records there.
• The director wants to keep the records where they are typically found, as they are not based at the registered office.
• Allowing the public to view records at the registered office would cause disruptions.
• The registered office, such as a busy workshop or studio is not designed to hold records or host inspection visits.
• The registers’ management is handed out to a company located elsewhere.

Difference Between SAIL Address and Registered Address:

One must have a registered office. It serves as a limited company’s official address for the delivery of mail and legal notices from UK government organisations, including Companies House and HMRC. The public can view this location in the Companies Register.

All statutory records must be maintained at the registered office and made accessible to the public there, unless the company chooses to keep the information at Companies House or a SAIL address is used.

You can choose to use a SAIL. Statutory records of a company can be stored and viewed at an address other than the registered office. If you choose to utilise one, you have to give Companies House the address information and explain the types of records that are stored there. These details will be on public records

What is a SAIL Address and What Mandatory Records Does it Keep:

It is possible to store the statutory registers at a SAIL address and make them accessible to the general public. Usually, these records consist of:

• List of participants (guarantors or shareholders)
• Directors’ Register
• Company secretaries’ registry
• List of holders of debts
• People with Significant Control (PSC) Register
• Register of charges and the tools used to make them
• Contracts of service for directors
• Benefits for directors
• Copies of written, ordinary, and exceptional resolutions made by the company
• General meeting minutes
• Records about the purchase or redemption of the business’s stock

The certificate of incorporation, copies of documents submitted at Companies House, and the memorandum and articles of association may also be kept at a SAIL location.

What are the Requirements for Making These Mandatory Records Available for Inspection?

Private limited firms are required by law to make their statutory records accessible for review every working day. These registries are free for corporate members to view. The company typically charges a fee to members of the public. According to the Companies (Company Records) Regulations 2008, anyone who wants to view a company’s registers must formally request it and include the following details:

• If the candidate is an individual, please provide their name and address.
• The name, and address, of a person filing the request on the company’s behalf
• Use of the information obtained during record inspection,
• if anyone else is to be informed of the information. If so, the name, address, and intended use of the information by the person or organisation receiving it must be included.
•  Inspection time and date.

Typically, the applicant must give the business at least ten working days’ notice before the designated inspection date. However, notification of only two working days is needed if it is delivered during the notice period for a class or general meeting, or the business distributes a written resolution at that time. Additionally, the applicant must indicate when they would like the inspection to start, which can be between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a minimum of two hours (ending no later than 5 p.m.).

Within five working days of receiving a request to view the statutory records, the company is required by section 117 of the Companies Act 2006 to either:

• Agree with the request;
• if the business feels the inspection is not being conducted for the right reason, it may get authorisation from the court to reject it.

How to Register a SAIL Address at the Company House?

1. By using WebFiling to submit form AD02, you can register or modify your SAIL address at Companies House. To indicate which records have been relocated to the new location, you must additionally submit form AD03.
2. Just use our website to log into your current customer account or create a new one and import your business. Additionally, you can examine and edit business records, file Confirmation Statements, and report any changes to Companies House.

Conclusion:

We’ve clarified the business by describing what is a SAIL address, why it would be used, how to set one up, and what documents you can store there. It is critical to consider all of your options and needs before choosing one. For those who must have a distinct address for their inspection and registered office, a SAIL address is an excellent choice. For example, entrepreneurs who register their businesses at their home address.

Privacy, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and security are just a few advantages. Nevertheless, choosing a registered office address service like ours can offer your business the same advantages.

Disclaimer: This blog contains all the information for knowledge purposes and does not constitute any legal, tax or professional advice. For more accurate and up-to-date advice take legal advice from our experienced accountants.