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Home Alarm Service

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Who may benefit?

Anyone, of any age, can benefit from having a home alarm installed. Whether you live alone, with family or with a partner, an alarm call can provide peace of mind, security, reassurance and independence.

How does it work?

Our new digital home alarm systems can connect via ethernet to your digital telephone line or wirelessly using 4G/3G/2G technology. The alarm consists of a portable radio trigger and a small piece of equipment with an electrical socket. The trigger can be worn as a pendant on a neck cord, or on a wrist strap, whichever is your preference.

People with severe physical disabilities are not excluded from having the home alarm service. A special adaptation can be added to the trigger that needs only the lightest touch to activate the trigger. It is possible to connect the home alarm directly to an environmental control system for people whose movement is exceedingly limited.

If the caller is within hearing distance of the alarm she or he will be able to talk to the operator and explain what is required. However, even if the caller is not able to hear or speak to the operator, action will still be taken to ensure that the caller is safe and well. The action taken under these circumstances will be agreed with each customer at the time the alarm is installed.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in having a home alarm installed the housing support advisor can provide you with a free demonstration without any obligation. Please contact the Home Alarm Service to arrange a convenient time, request a Home alarm demonstration  The appointment usually lasts for an hour.

Is there a charge?

Charges are from 1st April 2026

The Home Alarm Service costs £79.70 per quarter (plus VAT if applicable).

FREE installation limited-time offer

Residents considering joining the Home Alarms Service can also take advantage of a limited-time free installation offer from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

During the promotional period, the usual installation charge will be waived, saving customers £41.40 plus VAT.

The offer gives new customers the opportunity to join the service without paying the installation charge, whilst benefiting from the security, reassurance and independence provided by the Council’s Home Alarms Service.

Standard subscription charges still apply and the offer applies to installations completed during the promotional period.

For further information on the Home Alarm Service, please contact us.

Digital Home Alarms Service

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Home Alarm Service now uses digital technology, providing customers with a modern and reliable way to access help when they need it.

We have completed our programme to replace analogue home alarm equipment with digital home alarm units.

The change to digital technology does not alter the simple way our Home Alarm Service works. If you need help, simply press your pendant or activate your alarm and the digital home alarm unit will connect you to Tunstall, the Council’s 24-hour home alarm monitoring provider.

How does the digital Home Alarm Service work?

Our digital home alarm units can connect wirelessly using mobile technology or via an ethernet connection.

When you press your pendant, or a connected sensor is activated, the digital home alarm unit sends an alert to Tunstall. This enables you to speak to an operator through the home alarm unit and get the assistance you need.

The pendant can be worn around your neck or on your wrist, so you can raise an alarm wherever you are in your home or garden and within range of the unit.

What are the benefits of a digital home alarm?

Digital technology provides a modern platform for the Council’s Home Alarm Service, with benefits including:

  • Peace of mind – knowing you can call for assistance at the press of a button.
  • Independence – helping you to continue living safely and independently in your own home.
  • Faster connection – digital technology can provide a faster connection to Tunstall, our 24-hour monitoring provider.
  • Better audio quality – helping you communicate clearly with the monitoring centre through the home alarm unit.
  • Improved reliability – digital alarms are not reliant on a traditional analogue telephone line and can notify us of issues such as a loss of power.
  • Flexible connectivity – the equipment can communicate wirelessly using mobile technology or through an ethernet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Home Alarm Service move from analogue to digital?

Traditional analogue telephone services have been replaced by newer digital technology across the UK.

Our older home alarm equipment used an analogue telephone line to send emergency calls to the monitoring centre. We therefore upgraded our Home Alarm Service to digital equipment to ensure the service could continue to operate using modern telecommunications technology.

The Council’s programme to migrate its Home Alarm Service customers from analogue to digital equipment has now been completed.

I am a new customer. What equipment will I receive?

All new Rushcliffe Borough Council Home Alarm Service customers receive digital home alarm equipment.

The equipment includes a digital home alarm unit and a portable radio trigger that can be worn as a pendant around your neck or on a wrist strap.

We will explain how the equipment works when it is installed so you can feel confident using your new alarm.

Do I need a landline telephone to have a Home Alarm?

No. Our digital home alarm equipment can operate wirelessly using mobile technology, so you do not need a traditional analogue telephone line to receive the service.

The equipment can also connect via ethernet where appropriate.

Do I need broadband or Wi-Fi?

You do not need broadband or Wi-Fi for the digital home alarm to operate wirelessly using its mobile connection.

Where appropriate, the digital home alarm can also be connected by ethernet.

What happens when I press my pendant?

When you press your pendant, the digital home alarm connects to Tunstall, the Council’s home alarm monitoring provider.

If you are within hearing distance of the alarm unit, you will be able to speak to the operator and explain what assistance you need.

Even if you are unable to hear or speak to the operator, action can still be taken to make sure you are safe and well. The action to be taken in these circumstances will be agreed with you when your alarm is installed.

What happens if there is a power cut?

The digital equipment can identify issues such as a loss of mains power.

We will explain the operation of your digital home alarm and what happens in the event of a loss of power when the equipment is installed.

Can I have a demonstration before deciding?

Yes. If you are considering joining the Home Alarm Service, our Housing Support Team can provide a free demonstration without any obligation.

This is an opportunity to see the digital home alarm equipment, understand how the pendant works and ask any questions you may have before deciding whether the service is right for you.

Can I use the Home Alarm Service if I have a disability or limited mobility?

Yes. The service can support people with a range of needs.

For people with severe physical disabilities, adaptations can be made to the trigger so that only a very light touch is needed to activate it. The home alarm can also be connected to an environmental control system for people with significantly limited movement.

Please speak to our Housing Support Team about your individual requirements.

Who can benefit from a Home Alarm?

Anyone, of any age, can benefit from having a home alarm.

Whether you live alone, with a partner or with family, the service can provide additional security, reassurance and independence, with the comfort of knowing that assistance is available at the press of a button.

I was previously aware of the analogue-to-digital switchover. Is this still taking place?

No. Rushcliffe Borough Council has completed the migration of its Home Alarm Service from analogue to digital equipment.

New customers joining the service will therefore receive our digital home alarm equipment as standard.

Would you like to know more?

If you are considering a home alarm and would like to discuss how the digital equipment works, arrange a free demonstration or find out whether the service is suitable for you, please contact Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Home Alarm Service.

Telephone: 0115 981 9911

Email: homealarms@rushcliffe.gov.uk

 

Housing