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Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

Every business needs to be aware of its obligations under minimum wage and equal pay laws, as well as recent pensions auto-enrolment changes.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

You must comply with legal restrictions on employees' working hours and time off, or risk claims, enforcement action and even prosecution.

The right employment policies are an essential part of effective staff management. Make sure any policy is clear and well communicated to employees.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

While sick employees need to be treated fairly, you need to ensure that 'sickness' is not being used as cover for unauthorised absence.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Most pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, while new fathers are entitled to paternity leave and paternity pay.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

As well as undermining morale, illegal discrimination can lead to workplace grievances. Employee discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

Home, remote and lone workers are becoming increasingly commonplace. Key issues include communication and how to manage and motivate people remotely.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

The right approach to consulting with and providing information to your employees can improve employee motivation and performance.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Disciplinary and grievance issues can be a major burden to employers. Putting in place and following the right procedures is essential.

Following the right dismissal and redundancy procedures helps protect your business and minimise the risk of a legal dispute at tribunal.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Employment tribunal claims are a worrying prospect for any employer. A tribunal case is a no-win situation – even if the claim is unjustified.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

Burglar alarm fitter legal issues

There is a wide range of legislation that you should be aware of. The following is an outline of some of the key pieces of legislation that may apply to your business.

What licences does a security alarm fitter need?

At present there are no licensing requirements relating specifically to security alarm fitters. However if you offer 'key holding' services (including sending an alarm response officer when an alarm system is triggered) you will need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). In addition, if you operate an alarm receiving centre, there may also be a requirement to be licensed by the SIA if the nature of your role falls within the definition of manned guarding. You can find out more about the licensing scheme and the future of security regulation on the SIA website.

Voluntary certification

Many would-be customers will want to satisfy themselves that your business does good quality work using suitable equipment. One way of demonstrating your commitment to quality is to become an approved contractor of a scheme operated by the NSI or SSAIB. (These are assessing bodies that are approved by the SIA. You can find more details on the SIA website.) This will involve meeting the requirements of the police, fire authorities and insurance industry and complying with relevant British and European Standards. Only alarm businesses that are accredited by the NSI or SSAIB are able to install and maintain remotely monitored alarm systems.

Waste carrier registration

You will need to register as a lower tier waste carrier (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or a professional collector or transporter of waste (Scotland) if you carry away any waste that you generate when you fit a security system. Lower tier registration is free of charge and lasts indefinitely.

Waste carrier registration is carried out by:

  • the Environment Agency in England
  • Natural Resources Wales
  • the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  • the Northern Ireland Environment Agency

You should also be aware of the following:

  • if credit facilities are offered to consumers you will need consumer credit authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • if you keep computerised records of individuals' personal details and/or use CCTV you may be required to register as a data user with the Information Commissioner's Office
  • if you have a showroom or shop and provide background music you will probably need a Music Licence from PPL PRS Ltd

Security alarm legislation

The Private Security Industry Act was introduced to regulate the private security industry. The installation of security systems is not a licensable activity but if you offer 'key holding' services where you respond to the triggering of a security system or operate as an alarm receiving centre and your role comes within the definition of manned guarding then you will need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Alarms are covered by British Standards and you should check that all items you install conform to the appropriate standard. Your suppliers should be able to confirm this if you are in any doubt. In addition, the police should be contacted to see if there are any conditions on the use of audible alarms in your area. Remotely monitored alarm systems require a Unique Reference Number (URN) from the police and these systems can only be installed and maintained by businesses that are accredited by either the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB). Visit their websites for further details on gaining accreditation.

Electrical work

The Institution of Electrical Engineers Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) is the principal British Standard that covers the safe design, installation and testing of electrical installations in the UK. In addition, specific British and European Standards also cover the installation of fire alarms, lighting systems and security systems. All security system installation work that you carry out should be done to these standards.

Hazardous substances

You must ensure that your and any employees' exposure to potentially harmful substances is minimised. This might involve precautions such as using dust masks and goggles when drilling into walls or ceilings, or ensuring that ventilation is adequate if using paint or adhesives.

Goods and services

There is a range of legislation that applies to all businesses, which protects the interests of the customer. For example, goods and services must not be misleadingly described. This includes the supply and fitting of security systems - you are responsible for ensuring that appropriate equipment is used and that it is installed correctly. All work done must be of satisfactory quality.

Health & safety, fire

Some key areas where health and safety regulations affect your business, particularly if you employ staff, include:

  • working at height
  • safety, maintenance and use of electrical equipment (power tools, for example)
  • access to first aid equipment
  • adequate provision and use of protective clothing and equipment
  • reporting of any accidents and injuries at work

You must also make sure that you comply with workplace health and safety and fire safety legislation.

Employment legislation

Anyone employing staff must comply with employment legislation. Important areas of legislation include:

Recruitment and employment contracts

Pay and pensions

Working time: hours, leave, flexible working

Employment policies

Sickness and sick pay

Maternity, paternity and adoption

Discrimination

Managing home workers, remote workers, lone workers

Discipline and grievance

Dismissals and redundancies

Employment tribunals

Insurance for a security alarm fitter

When you start up in business you will need insurance cover. Contact an insurer and explain to him or her exactly how your business will operate - they will then recommend what cover you should have. This might include:

  • premises, premises contents and stock (if you have any premises)
  • cash
  • business interruption
  • employer's liability
  • public liability
  • product liability
  • motor insurance (for business vehicles), possibly with cover for tools and equipment carried in your vehicles
  • personal cover - accident and injury, loss of earnings and so on

If you're a member of a trade association, you may be able to get discounted rates of business insurance. For example, members of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) can get a 10% discount through the BSIA's preferred partner. There's more information on the BSIA website.

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