For every UK business
Business credit report
Run a business credit report on any UK business, whether it is a registered company, a sole trader or a partnership, and see the credit score, credit limit and the evidence behind them.
Business credit reports on any UK business
A business credit report gives you an evidence-based view of a UK business before you extend credit or take it on as a customer or supplier. It covers registered limited companies and, through the Non-Limited report, sole traders and partnerships too.
For a registered company, the company credit report is the natural starting point. For unincorporated businesses, the Non-Limited report is built for the data that is actually available on them.
Every UK business type
Limited companies
Full reporting from Companies House filings: a credit score and credit limit, filed accounts and financial trend, county court judgments, directors and people with significant control. See the limited company credit report guide or an example.
Sole traders & partnerships
The Non-Limited report uses credit reference data, public records and payment behaviour where filed accounts do not exist, and gives a credit guide rather than a full score. See a non-limited example.
What’s in a business credit report
Depending on the business type and what is on file, a report can include, where available:
- Credit score & risk band how likely the business is to fail or default.
- Credit limit a suggested maximum exposure when extending trade credit.
- County court judgments registered judgments, insolvency and Gazette notices.
- Filed accounts balance sheet and financial trend, for limited companies.
- Payment behaviour how promptly the business pays its bills.
- People directors and people with significant control, or the proprietors of a non-limited business.
How to run a business credit check
- Search the business name on the homepage to find the right entity.
- Choose the report level you need: a quick check or a fuller analysis.
- Read the score and credit limit, then the public record and accounts.
- Set or review the credit limit you will offer, and monitor it over time.
For a worked walk-through, see how to credit-check a customer.
When to check a business
Run a report before opening a new account, when reviewing an existing customer’s credit limit, before relying on a key supplier, or when an order is larger than usual. Regular checks on the businesses you already trade with help you spot a deterioration early, before it becomes a bad debt.
Pricing
Reports are bought with First Report credits and cost from one credit, with bundles and an annual licence for higher volumes. See the full report types and prices, or our guide to company credit report cost. All prices exclude VAT.
Data you can rely on
Company credit reports are built from official and commercial sources, including Companies House filings, insolvency notices in The Gazette, and county court judgment data from the Registry Trust, combined with payment and risk information. Reports reflect the latest data held at the time of your search. creditreports.co.uk is a First Report service. See where our data comes from.
Business credit report FAQs
What is the difference between a company and a business credit report?
In everyday use they overlap. We use "company" for registered limited companies and "business" more broadly to include sole traders and partnerships. The underlying check is the same idea: an evidence-based view of credit risk before you trade.
Can I run a credit check on a sole trader or partnership?
Yes. The Non-Limited report covers sole traders and partnerships. Because these businesses do not file accounts at Companies House, the report leans on credit reference data, public records and payment behaviour. See the non-limited example.
Do business credit reports include filed accounts?
For limited companies, yes, where they have been filed. For non-limited businesses there are no Companies House accounts, so financial detail is more limited and a credit guide is given instead of a full score.
How much does a business credit report cost?
Reports are bought with First Report credits and cost from one credit. See the full report types and prices, or our guide to company credit report cost.
How current is the information in a business credit report?
Reports are produced from the latest data held at the time of your search, including the most recent Companies House filings and public records available.
How do I set a credit limit from a business credit report?
Start from the suggested credit limit, then adjust for the size of the order, the public record and your own risk appetite. Our guide on how to credit-check a customer walks through it.
Related guides
What is a company credit report?
Read the guide →What’s in a company credit report
Read the guide →How to read a company credit report
Read the guide →