Alarm monitoring costs between nothing and £50 a month in the UK, depending on who responds when the alarm goes off. App alerts that notify your phone are often free or a few pounds a month, keyholder monitoring through a 24-hour monitoring centre typically costs £15 to £30 a month, and police response costs £25 to £50 a month. Police response also requires the alarm to be installed and maintained to a specific standard, which affects the installation cost as well as the monthly fee.
Key Takeaways
- App alerts (self-monitoring) cost £0-£5 a month on most modern alarms
- Keyholder monitoring through a 24/7 centre typically costs £15-£30 a month
- Police response typically costs £25-£50 a month plus a maintenance contract
- Signalling (SIM or dual-path communicator) adds £5-£15 a month if not included
- Photo-verified alarms let the monitoring centre see what triggered the alarm
Monitored alarms in London
Get a written quote for a monitored alarm
The figures in this guide are typical UK prices. The right level of monitoring depends on your property, insurer and who can respond, so we survey first, free and with no obligation, then give you a written quote before any work starts. Accredited Ajax Systems partner, with 200+ five-star reviews.
Or see our burglar alarm installation service in London.
How Much Does Alarm Monitoring Cost Per Month?
Alarm monitoring costs £0 to £50 a month in the UK. The price rises with the level of response: an app alert relies on you, keyholder monitoring adds a trained operator who calls your nominated keyholders, and police response adds direct contact with the police.
| Monitoring level | Who responds | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| App alerts (self-monitoring) | You, via push notification | £0-£5 |
| Keyholder monitoring | 24/7 centre calls your keyholders | £15-£30 |
| Keyholder plus guard response | Security patrol attends | £25-£45 plus call-out fees |
| Police response | 24/7 centre contacts the police | £25-£50 |
Annual contracts usually work out at £180 to £360 a year for keyholder monitoring and £300 to £600 a year for police response, often bundled with servicing.
What Is the Difference Between Keyholder and Police Response?
With keyholder monitoring, a trained operator at an alarm receiving centre (ARC) checks the alarm and phones the people on your keyholder list, who decide whether to attend or call the police. With police response, the centre can request police attendance directly once the alarm has been confirmed by more than one detector or by images.
Police response is only available for alarms that meet the police requirements. The system must be designed, installed and maintained by a company approved under the National Police Chiefs' Council policy, monitored by an approved centre, and registered with the local force, which issues a unique reference number (URN) and may charge an administration fee. Alarms that cause repeated false alarms can lose police response, so a reliable, well-maintained system matters.
Do I Need a Monitored Alarm?
Most homes do not need professional monitoring. A modern alarm with app alerts tells you instantly when it is triggered, and you can check cameras or call a neighbour. Monitoring is worth paying for when:
- Your insurer requires it, which is common for high-value homes and contents
- You are often away or abroad and cannot respond to alerts yourself
- The property is a business, shop or empty building with nobody nearby out of hours
- You want someone else to handle alarms at night
Check your insurance policy before choosing: the required level of monitoring is usually stated in the schedule.
What Are the Set-Up Costs for a Monitored Alarm?
Connecting an alarm to a monitoring centre usually needs a communicator that sends signals over the internet, a mobile network, or both. If your alarm does not already have one, budget for the hardware and set-up as well as the monthly fee.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Dual-path communicator (internet + 4G) | £100-£250 fitted |
| SIM or signalling service | £5-£15 a month if not included |
| Connection and set-up with the monitoring centre | £50-£150 one-off |
| Police URN registration (police response only) | Admin fee set by the local force |
Wireless systems such as Ajax have communication built into the hub, so the extra hardware cost is often lower. Ajax can also send photos from MotionCam detectors to the monitoring centre, which helps operators confirm a genuine intrusion quickly. See our Ajax alarm systems page for details.
Can I Add Monitoring to My Existing Alarm?
Often, yes. Most modern panels from Texecom, Pyronix, Ajax and Visonic can be connected to a monitoring centre by adding or enabling a communicator. Older panels without a suitable communication option may need an upgrade first. If you do not know who installed your alarm, an alarm takeover gives you control of the system before monitoring is set up.
Is App-Only Monitoring Good Enough?
For most homes, yes. App alerts are instant and free on most current alarms, and when combined with CCTV you can see what triggered the alarm within seconds. The weakness is that the response depends on you seeing the alert. If you regularly travel or sleep through notifications, keyholder monitoring adds a safety net for a modest monthly cost. Our guide to 24/7 alarm monitoring explains how monitoring centres work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does alarm monitoring cost a month?
Alarm monitoring costs £0 to £50 a month in the UK. App alerts are usually free to £5, keyholder monitoring £15 to £30, and police response £25 to £50 a month.
What is keyholder response?
Keyholder response means a 24-hour monitoring centre checks the alarm and phones the people on your keyholder list, who decide whether to attend or call the police.
Can any alarm get police response?
No. Police response requires an alarm designed, installed and maintained by an approved company under the National Police Chiefs' Council policy, monitored by an approved centre and registered with the local police force.
Do I need a monitored alarm for insurance?
Only if your insurer requires it. High-value homes and many businesses are asked for monitoring, while most standard home policies accept an alarm with app alerts. Check your policy schedule.
Can I monitor my alarm from my phone?
Yes. Most modern alarms, including Ajax, Texecom and Pyronix systems, send instant app alerts when they are triggered, usually at no or low monthly cost.
Get a written quote for your property
Free, no-obligation survey across London and the Home Counties.
Call 0208 422 7918