business names database

How do I check the stability of a non-limited business?

There are many channels available for those looking for information on UK registered companies - one of which being identeco’s very own Company Search tools. But what about finding out information on UK businesses – those that are not registered on Companies House?

Firstly, let’s look at clearing up some confusion on the differences between registered and non-registered organisations. It is important to understand which one you are dealing with.

What is a limited company?

A limited company is also known as ‘registered’. This means that the company is registered with Companies House in the UK. Companies House is a UK government service which is responsible for incorporating and dissolving UK companies. The Limited is short for ‘limited liability’ and essentially means that if that company goes bankrupt, liability does not extend to company directors and shareholders. Being registered requires a firm to file certain information at specific times to Companies House. This includes annual and quarterly filed accounts and detailed financials (to determine VAT payments), persons of significant control and shareholder structures, trading and registered addresses. All of this information is available publicly.

What is a non-limited company?

A non-limited company is not registered with Companies House and is often a sole trader or a partnership. The are classed as ‘unlimited liability’ which means that any financial challenges that the business encounters are the responsibility of the business owner.

Unlike a registered business, a non-registered business does not have to file any accounts with Companies House which can mean securing accurate information on the business can be more of a challenge. Since the abolition of The Register of Business Names in 1981, there has been no central resource that captures UK unregistered business information. This means that a centrally held record of all non-VAT registered businesses is a rarity

identeco provides non-limited business information

Here at identeco we understand the importance of executing background checks on a non-registered business in order to understand its financial stability and security to avoid any unnecessary risks when entering into a relationship with them. Our Business Names Search database catalogues over 1.6 million businesses – that’s over 80% of the UK’s non-registered businesses - that operate in the UK and are not registered with Companies House.

identeco subscribers can search any business and select the specific business from the results, and much like our registered company reporting, users can view business details, including legal status, trading address, SIC codes, a financial health rating which will provide a credit rating and suggested credit limit, as well as details of any detrimental data that may be present and name of the owner or person with significant control

Where available, our business names database will also provide further insights such as contact numbers, website information and email addresses, date established and duration of trading activity.

The Business Names Database contains information on over 80% of businesses operating in the UK and is regularly maintained and updated. Where the information in our business names database is insufficient for your purposes, we can provide the required information via our customer screening reports for sole traders and partnerships within our Customer Screening Toolkit.

Start using the Business Name’s Database today

identeco’s Business Names Database is included as part of the Business Support Toolkit subscription, which is available for £79.95 per year and includes a range of business services at no additional cost. To see a list of services included in an annual subscription, click here.

For more information on the Business Support Toolkit, drop us an email or contact the team to arrange a free trial or quick 10 minute demo – we promise you will be impressed.