Which alarm system is best, if at all?

dottypencilcase · 2022-08-20T01:43:54+00:00

Bought a house that's in the London OWL (neighbourhood watch) system but it doesn't have any alarms installed. Can anyone tell me about the basics of alarm systems please? Do they *have* to be monitored externally (monthly cost of £50 from what I've read) or can you have an alarm installed as a deterrent only? I've want to get the ring doorbell installed but my husband is dead set against it for privacy reasons (he's also against Alexa, etal). Looking for some clarity as I really don't know what I'm looking for and don't want to be ripped off!

RidingMyBike · 20/08/2022 09:15

We had a basic motion sensor burglar alarm at our old house - set with a key code as we left. There were sensors covering front door and the upstairs landing. It wasn't on a monthly contract and wasn't connected to anything, it was just a loud noise if it went off, so no additional costs with it, but that meant it didn't really count on the house insurance. But no idea if we'd have got a discount for it.

Hoping to have similar for the house we've just bought but don't know if they still exist. We don't want a Ring doorbell, Alexa or anything with a monthly contract.

RidingMyBike · 20/08/2022 09:16

My Mum has one in the house she's moved into - costs £37 a month and it's really really annoying. Plus the company aren't very helpful.

Original poster

dottypencilcase · 20/08/2022 09:47

Thank you both- I really don't want the commitment of another monthly contract. A friend who works for one of the big companies told me that the reason they charge a monthly fee is because their equipment isn't the best in the industry so they need someone to check through alerts in person! Don't know if that's true or not but there you go. I just want something that acts as a deterrent more than anything.

As for insurance, we have comprehensive contents cover and I'm happy with that. The wanting an alarm is more for personal safety reasons.

OP posts:

TizerorFizz · 20/08/2022 10:43

We have had an alarm from Town and Country for years. It reduces house content insurance costs. Ours is now operated remotely and we don’t have to use the keypad. We have quite a large house and all rooms have sensors on the ground floor and most bedrooms. If you have a terrace house, it’s the back where burglars get in. Make sure you have a very strong back door with at least one mortice lock. Make sure windows cannot be removed or easily broken to gain access. Make sure the alarm covers the back of the house and you make it as difficult as possible for anyone to gain access. Deterrent is better then an alarm.

RidingMyBike · 20/08/2022 15:04

TBH I'm not sure we'll bother with one for our new house. It would be virtually impossible to break in to the back. And the house at the entrance to the cul-de-sac has the world's nosiest neighbours in so nobody would stand a chance of getting past them

Original poster

dottypencilcase · 20/08/2022 15:56

TizerorFizz · 20/08/2022 10:43

We have had an alarm from Town and Country for years. It reduces house content insurance costs. Ours is now operated remotely and we don’t have to use the keypad. We have quite a large house and all rooms have sensors on the ground floor and most bedrooms. If you have a terrace house, it’s the back where burglars get in. Make sure you have a very strong back door with at least one mortice lock. Make sure windows cannot be removed or easily broken to gain access. Make sure the alarm covers the back of the house and you make it as difficult as possible for anyone to gain access. Deterrent is better then an alarm.

Oooh. Thank you. I'll have a look into this and also contact our insurance company to see if there's a difference in price in cover. The last time I checked, it wasn't that much to warrant installing a system but since we're getting one anyway...

OP posts:

Original poster

dottypencilcase · 20/08/2022 15:58

RidingMyBike · 20/08/2022 15:04

TBH I'm not sure we'll bother with one for our new house. It would be virtually impossible to break in to the back. And the house at the entrance to the cul-de-sac has the world's nosiest neighbours in so nobody would stand a chance of getting past them

We're in a terrace and are locked in either side and at the back with other people's gardens but we're in the city and I have two little ones and the thought of anyone coming into the house with malicious intent petrifies me. I've read about cases where even if they're taken what they're after, they'll target family members before they leave so don't want to take any chances.

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TizerorFizz · 20/08/2022 16:17

Unless walls are high, burglars can get over them. To be fair anyone who is targeted by burglars tends to be wealthy. If you are in that category, get a panic alarm. Also get a safe. We now have 4! Yes. I know! But I collect antique jewellery and DH has a good watch collection. We don’t wish to make robbery easy! We also always put laptops etc in the loft when we go on holiday. Most burgers won’t want to get stuck in a loft.

We had 10 burglaries in our area in one day a few years ago. They tried to get into our drive. They targeted people who were out collecting DC from school. Just don’t leave anything on show. We had builders in at the time snd they “didn’t like the loom of them” so got rid. I was astounded to read about the spree in the press and a near neighbour was burgled. Lost around £10,000 worth including garden furniture.

Smaller burglaries are usually people looking for drugs money. So opportunist. Don’t give them the opportunity.

TizerorFizz · 20/08/2022 16:18

Burgers!!! You know what I mean!!