Last week I was asked by two different alarm companies to review contracts.  I
was surprised to find that one contract had in its printed form the word
"maintenance" and the other took the trouble to type in the word "maintenance"
in the schedule of protection in a monitoring contract.  I really thought I had
covered this topic in clear and concise language, leaving no room for
interpretation or error.  Let me try again.
     The word "maintenance" does not belong in an alarm contract.  Period.  The
permissible words are "service" and only when you are actually doing it,
"inspection".
     Though I am hardly an expert with words, here is my reasoning.  The word
"maintenance" implies, to me, that you are taking on the responsibility of
insuring that the system is continuously working properly, which you would do
by constant inspection, preventative maintenance and repair.  Unless you are on
the premises on a full time basis and agree to insure uninterrupted operation,
you are not doing "maintenance".
     If on the other hand you agree that you will fix the system once you are
alerted that it needs repair, even if your monitoring facility can alert you
even before the subscriber does, then you are providing "service" by servicing
the system.
 Some alarm companies do offer inspections, and some systems, such as fire,
require inspections.  Your contract can bind you to that obligation, or it can
be imposed by law or ordinance.  But, you should not routinely offer it, or
provide for it in your contract if you are not performing inspections.
     In my mind inspections impose less burden than maintenance.  An inspection
may not reveal a problem that does not exist at the time of the inspection, and
inspection does not seem to carry the same continuing responsibility as
"maintenance".
     So, if you insist on being difficult or different and using the word
"maintenance", then I suggest you define what you mean by it in your contract.
In my standard service contracts, www.alarmcontracts.com  and even the lease
where service is included, the scope of the service required under the contract
is set forth, such as when repairs will be made (after notice), who has the
burden of notifying the alarm company that service is required (the
subscriber), what repairs are covered (ordinary wear and tear), when service
will be provided (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) and even what consequences
follow when the alarm company does not provide the service (monthly payments
suspended).