But depending on whether you buy your system or rent it, they can work very differently when it matters most: how quickly the police respond to a break-in, whether your insurer recognises the installation and how much you’ll pay in the long-term.

Most alarm providers are quick to explain why their system is right for you. But do they explain whether you’ll actually own it and what happens when your contract ends?

When installing a new intruder alarm, you have two main options:

1. Buy an alarm system from an established manufacturer such as Texecom, Honeywell Galaxy or Orisec.
2. Rent an alarm system from a subscription-style provider such as Verisure or SimpliSafe.

In this article, we compare the benefits of each option and share 10 questions to ask when you’re doing your research. Read on to find out what you need to know before you commit.

What is the difference between owning a burglar alarm and leasing one?

If you buy your burglar alarm from an established manufacturer, you can expect:

• Installation from an NSI-approved installer. This means lower insurance premiums because you’ll have a properly designed and installed system.
• A ‘Type A’ response to a confirmed break-in. The monitoring company will call your local police force directly, and you can expect a rapid response in line with national guidelines.
• A one-off purchase and installation price. This includes the equipment, a full site survey, system design and installation. Depending on how many sensors you need, prices start at around £800 – £1,500.
• To pay extra for maintenance and monitoring. At around £199 – £400 per year, you’ll need to budget a little extra for maintenance and monitoring. In some cases, your initial purchase price may include the first year’s costs.
• The choice to take your business elsewhere. If you’re unhappy with your monitoring and maintenance company, you can switch to another provider, just like taking your car to a different garage.
• Responsibility for your system’s upgrades and eventual replacement. Like any technology, your alarm system will eventually need an upgrade or replacement. As the owner, you’ll be responsible for this.

If you rent your alarm system from a subscription-style provider, you can expect:

• A monthly fee that covers everything. Rental, maintenance, system upgrades and monitoring will be included in a flat fee, making this feel like an easy way to protect your property.
• Monitoring from an NSI-approved monitoring centre. However, as the installers and manufacturer are not NSI-approved, your insurance company won’t recognise the installation.
• A ‘Type B’ response to a confirmed break-in. The monitoring team will call 999 on your behalf instead of contacting your local constabulary directly.
• To be committed to your supplier. The equipment and app are designed to work within your supplier’s network and cannot normally be moved to another company. If you switch providers or move house, you’ll need to ask your provider to remove the equipment and potentially pay an extra fee.
• To sign up to a lengthy contract. The most attractive monthly payments come with long-term contracts. This can mean you end up paying more for a rented alarm system than you would for an owned system. You will also pay a penalty if you end the contract early.
• To face price rises once your contract ends. For example, Verisure T&Cs state that they may increase their fees by the Retail Price Index, the Retail Price Index plus up to 5%, or to a rate above the Retail Price Index, depending on reasons including inflation, market conditions and regulatory conditions.

10 questions to ask when choosing a new security system

No matter which burglar alarm system you choose, you should know exactly what you’re signing up for. Here is a list of questions you can ask potential providers to make sure you’re fully informed.

1. Will my alarm system receive an independent NSI Certificate of Compliance? *
2. Is my system installed and graded to BS EN 50131 standards?
3. Can my alarm carry a genuine Police URN for automatic response?
4. Does my alarm generate confirmed alarm signals (BS 8243)?
5. What happens if I’m away and can’t be reached to verify an alert?
6. Who will own the equipment?
7. Can I transfer to another provider?
8. Where is my nearest engineer based, and what’s the guaranteed attendance time?
9. Will my insurer formally recognise the installation?
10. How much would I pay for the alarm, monitoring and maintenance over five years?

Clear, direct responses to these questions will give you the information you need to make a confident decision.

See how an independent fire and security company can help protect your home or business.

As a fully independent business, we’re not tied to one brand and don’t have an approved set of messages. Instead, we give you straightforward advice and the right protection for your property, from installation to monitoring and ongoing maintenance.

Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat about what’s right for your home or business.

*We’d recommend you double-check that the NSI compliance relates to your system and the installer, not just the monitoring centre. A vague response may indicate your system won’t be NSI compliant, resulting in a lower grade of police response.