What is a trading Address?
Many companies will have more than one address, with them often being used for different purposes. It can be difficult to know for certain which address to use, when filing the several addresses required by Companies House.
Confusion often arises over two addresses in particular: the company registered address vs trading address. In this article, we’ll explain the meaning of a trading address as well as it’s relationship to other types of corporate addresses.
Confusion often arises over two addresses in particular: the company registered address vs trading address. In this article, we’ll explain the meaning of a trading address as well as it’s relationship to other types of corporate addresses.
What is a trading (business) address?
Your trading address or business address is the location from which a company's business activities are principally conducted.The trading address is an important piece of information for a company, as it is often used as the primary point of contact for customers, suppliers and banks. It can also be used to receive mail and packages, and to receive legal documents and other official communications. In the case of sole trading, this address is likely to be their home address. In the case of a limited company, this is likely to be an address with the most significant workforce present or a ‘HQ’ or ‘Head Office’ location.
Despite a business having multiple locations, only one can be provided as the official ‘trading address’. The address can be commercial or residential, though commercial is often recommended to maintain privacy.
Trading address vs business address
There is some confusion surrounding these terms. Trading address and business address can be used interchangeably to refer to the location from which a company’s business activities are carried out. That is to say, they are the same as one another.Trading address vs registered address
Registered address- Required by Companies House during company formation
- For official documents and correspondence (HMRC and Companies House)
- Considered the official company address
- Is public record
- Must notify government agencies if this address is changed
Trading address
- Required by HMRC
- Where business activity is conducted
- For general correspondence (banks, customers, suppliers…)
- Can be the same as the registered office or an alternative address you work from
- Government agencies do not need to be notified of a change in trading address
Trading address vs other corporate addresses
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are several corporate addresses which have to be filed with Companies House, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006:- Registered office address – the official address of a limited company, kept on public record by Companies House and provided during company formation. The registered office address can be the same as the trading address and will receive official correspondence from government agencies (HMRC, Companies House etc).
- Directors’ service address – the director's service address is the place where an individual director chooses to receive statutory correspondence relating to their role in a company – i.e., official letters and notices from Companies House and HMRC. This address may also be referred to as the directors correspondence address. The address provided here will be public record.
- Directors’ home address – the full home address of each and every company director must be provided to Companies House. As opposed to the service address, these directors’ addresses are stored on a private register and are not public record.
- Single alternative inspection location address (SAIL) - A SAIL address is an alternative location where a company can hold its statutory records and make them available for public inspection. SAIL addresses are non-compulsory and are used only for convenience, avoiding inspections taking place at busy places of work.
Having laid out the above addresses, it’s possible to see why there is often confusion surrounding the use of addresses within Companies House. It’s possible that a single address can fulfill the majority of these functions. That said, there are a few situations where having a separate trading address and registered address will pay dividends.
Situations Where You’ll Need a Trading Address as Well as a Registered Address
Having your registered office as your only point of correspondence will soon become inefficient and inconvenient. As corporate information is publicly disclosed, it may result in unwanted visitors and unsolicited mail arriving at your registered address (which could be a residential address).A separate trading address provides an alternative ‘everyday’ mailing address, helping to separate the two channels of correspondence for efficient management. Lets use an example to prove our point.
Whenever your company issues an invoice or submits a letter, your trading address should be displayed prominently as the dominant ‘reply-to’ address. It should be made clear that all correspondence should be sent via this trading (business) address.
Law states that all company letters should include the company number and Registered Address, and state that the company is limited incorporated in England & Wales. It is often recommended to have this information in the footer of all company stationary, in small font, to avoid it wrongly being used as a reply address.
I-Support Business - Your Trading (Business) Address Partner
Companies that don’t have commercial premises or a prestigious residential location often use professional address services. These not only look more professional than a random residential address, they add a layer of privacy by keeping the home addresses of company directors off the public register.I-Support Business offers a business address service for UK companies. This can serve as the trading address for the purposes of general business correspondence. Letters received at this address can be forwarded to an alternative address for an additional fee.
I-Support Business have two virtual offices, which can be used as trading (business) addresses: London or Sussex. This service is ideal for new start ups, established and international businesses and those looking to save costs and downsize. For an additional fee, business mail can be forwarded or scanned and sent via email.
Our locations above can also be used as registered office addresses, for the purpose of being displayed on the Companies House public register. All official government correspondence received at this address is scanned and emailed, free of charge. We will also update your address within Companies House for you, free of charge.
Remember that it’s best to avoid providing your private residential address on any public registry, including in Companies House. Not only does it open the door to receive unsolicited mail, it can also have a negative impact on how customers perceive the credibility of your business. There are affordable alternatives from address providers, such as I-Support Business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a registered business address
It's a mandatory requirement for all UK businesses to have a registered office address, under the UK Companies Act, section 86
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Can I use my residential address?
Yes, you're allowed to use your home address. However, it's best to avoid providing your private residential address on any public registry, including Companies House. Not only does it open the door to receive unsolicited mail, it can also have a negative impact on how customers perceive the credibility of your business.
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Can I change my registered or trading address?
Yes, its a quick and simple process and can be processed online or via post. Simply download the AD01 Change of registered office address form and send the completed form back to Companies House. You do not need to notify Companies House of a change in your trading (business) address.
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Is a trading address the same as a business address?
Yes. Trading address and business address can be used interchangeably to refer to the location from which a company's business activities are carried out. That is to say, they are the same as one another.
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Can I have more than one trading address?
There are many scenarios where a business will trade from multiple locations and therefore have multiple trading addresses. However, in instances where a trading address must be supplied, you will need to pick a principle trading address
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