Smart home for renters
Updated
What renters can install without drilling or rewiring, what to ask the landlord in writing and how to take everything with you when you move out.
Renting does not rule out a smart home; it changes the shopping list. Plug-in devices, smart bulbs, battery sensors and retrofit locks that keep the landlord’s key working cover most needs without touching walls or wiring.
Three rules keep you out of trouble: read the lease clause on alterations and locks, ask in writing for anything that changes hardware, and keep every original part in a labeled bag so you can restore the unit at move-out. Factory-reset and remove devices from your account before you leave.
Start with our smart lock for renters guide.
Kits 5
KitSmart home kit under $300 for a first apartment or rentalSpeaker or display, plugs, bulbs, a battery doorbell or indoor camera and leak sensors: a renter-friendly smart home for under $300, with no…KitRenter no-drill smart home kitBulbs, plugs, adhesive sensors and a controller: a removable smart home you can set up in an afternoon, with optional upgrades that need your…KitDorm room smart kitPlugs, bulbs and a surge-protected strip that fit residence hall rules, plus how to deal with campus Wi-Fi that blocks smart devices. Check your…KitSmart lighting kit under $100Three tunable white bulbs, two smart plugs and a wireless remote cover a living room and bedroom for under $100, with no rewiring, no hub and…KitLiving room smart kit: lighting, TV power and one-touch scenesSmart bulbs, plugs, a power strip and a button for scenes: a plug-in shopping list for a living room, with realistic prices, renter-friendly…
Guides 14
GuideSmart lock for renters: options that leave no traceA retrofit lock keeps your landlord’s key working and comes off with a screwdriver. Here is how to check your lease, your door and your ecosystem…GuideHow to make a window air conditioner smartYou can make a window AC smart with a Wi-Fi IR controller, a smart plug on some models, or a unit with Wi-Fi built in. Learn which route fits your…GuideSmart thermostat for landlords: limits and tenant controlLandlords can limit a smart thermostat’s range and keep account control, but tenants have privacy and heat rights. See which settings to use, what…GuideSmart lighting without rewiringRenting or avoiding wall work? Smart bulbs, plug-in lamps, adhesive remotes and LED strips give you voice control and schedules without touching a…GuideSmart hose timer: watering the yard without a sprinkler systemA smart hose timer screws onto the spigot and waters on a schedule. Learn Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi, battery life, flow, multiple outlets, drip lines and…GuideVideo doorbell without existing wiring: what worksNo doorbell wires at your door? A battery model installs with screws and a USB cable. Here is how long batteries last, how to get a chime, and…GuideSmart apartment intercom: what you can change and what you cannotYour building owns the buzzer, so start by asking what it supports. Learn the four intercom types, what a renter can add at their own door, and…GuideCan you put a camera outside your apartment door?Often you need your landlord’s permission, because the hallway is a shared area and mounting hardware may count as a change. Read your lease…GuideMoving out: what to do with your smart home devicesMoving? Remove your accounts, reset what stays, delete codes and decide what you take. This checklist covers locks, cameras, doorbells,…GuideRobot vacuum for a small apartment: size, noise and dockA small apartment needs a robot that fits under furniture, docks in a tight spot and runs without annoying neighbors. Here are the measurements…GuideRenters with disabilities: reasonable modifications for smart home accessFederal fair housing rules can let a renter with a disability change a unit at their own cost. See what counts, what you may have to restore, how…GuideCan renters install smart devices? What your lease allowsPlug-in devices usually need no permission. Anything that touches wiring, doors or walls usually does. Here is how to sort your devices, ask in…GuideWhich smart pet door suits your home and your petA pet door lets your cat or dog in and out, and a smart one can limit who. Choose by where it installs, how it recognizes your pet, and what your…GuideWhich smart home gift for whom: a decision guideA good smart home gift works with what the person already owns, needs no electrician and is easy to return. Here is what to choose for a student,…
Comparisons 5
ComparisonSmart plug vs in-wall smart outletA smart plug takes seconds and goes with you; an in-wall outlet looks cleaner but means wiring. Compare price, ratings, rental rules, GFCI and…ComparisonRetrofit or full-replacement smart lock: how to chooseA retrofit lock keeps your existing deadbolt and key; a full replacement swaps the whole lock for a keypad version. Compare security, looks,…ComparisonVideo doorbell vs peephole camera: which fits an apartmentA video doorbell sits outside the door; a peephole camera replaces the viewer and works from inside. Compare installation, hallway view, alerts,…ComparisonBattery vs wired security camerasBattery cameras mount anywhere in minutes but sleep between events and need recharging. Wired cameras record more and never run down, but need a…ComparisonMotorized shades vs retrofit blind motorsMotorized shades replace the window covering; a retrofit motor adds a drive to the blind you have. Compare price, installation, renting, power,…