Most people do not read the fine print on a security contract until they want to leave. That is when the surprises show up: a multi-year commitment, equipment you never actually owned, and a cancellation fee. This post explains the difference between owning and renting your security system, and why no-contract matters in the Edmonton area.
What "No Contract" Actually Means
When we say no long-term contract, we mean you are not locked into paying for years to come. If you ever want to stop monitoring service, you give 30 days notice and you are done. No penalty, no buyout.
That is a different model from the common national-brand approach, where a low monthly price often hides a long commitment. The equipment may be bundled into that monthly fee, which leads to the bigger issue below.
Own vs Rent: The Core Difference
The most important question to ask any security company is simple: do I own the equipment, or am I renting it?
Renting usually means:
- The gear belongs to the company, not you.
- You pay for it month after month, sometimes long after its value is covered.
- If you cancel, you may have to return equipment or pay it out.
- Moving homes can mean leaving the system behind or paying fees.
Owning usually means:
- The gear is yours from day one.
- You pay once for equipment and installation.
- Cancelling service does not cost you the hardware.
- The system keeps working even without monitoring.
At Loch, you own your equipment outright. We're an authorized Ajax Systems dealer, and our cameras are NDAA-compliant — so the hardware you own is equipment we'd stand behind either way, not a locked-down box that only works while you keep paying. You can read more on our switch page.
Why Ownership Saves You Money Over Time
Renting feels cheaper at the start because the upfront cost is low. But over several years, those monthly equipment payments add up, and you have nothing to show for them if you leave.
When you own, your big cost is upfront, and your ongoing cost is only optional monitoring. Over a typical ownership period, that often works out cheaper, and you keep an asset that adds value and peace of mind to your home. See how we structure this on our pricing page.
Monitoring Stays Optional
Owning your equipment also means monitoring is a choice, not a leash. You can:
- Pay for professional monitoring so a centre responds to alarms, or
- Self-monitor and get alerts straight to your phone.
Either way, you are not signing your name to years of payments. If your situation changes, 30 days notice is all it takes to adjust.
What Happens If You Move
This is where ownership really shows its value. If you sell your home, you can leave the system as a selling feature, take portable devices with you, or have us help reconfigure things at your new place. Because you own the gear, the choice is yours rather than the company's.
Local Service, Not a Call Centre
No-contract is about more than money. It is about a relationship built on the work being good, not on a contract holding you in place. We are a local team based in Leduc, serving Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Beaumont, and the corridor. When you call 825-957-1200, you reach people here, not a distant call centre. Explore what we offer on our home services page.
FAQ
Is there really no cancellation fee? Correct. If you choose monitoring, you can cancel with 30 days notice and no penalty. The equipment is already yours.
What if I want monitoring later? You can add or drop monitoring as your needs change. Owning the equipment keeps you flexible.
Does the alarm still work without monitoring? Yes. The system keeps functioning locally. Monitoring simply adds a centre that responds to alarms.
Get a Free Assessment
If you are tired of contracts and want a system you actually own, we are happy to help. Book a free, no-pressure assessment of your home by calling 825-957-1200 or visiting our contact page.