As per the National Multifamily Housing Council, over 40 million households in the United States are renters. Renting makes complete sense to the majority of Americans today. It allows them peace of mind, a place to live throughout the year. It offers them the luxury of flexibility to move around without getting into the hassle of selling out all aspects of their previous lives.
However, home security is a significant problem most renters face today. Because of the fact that they do not own the property they are living in, they are left wondering about ways to protect their rental property and their loved ones while they still manage to follow the rules and guidelines mentioned in their rental agreements.
A home, whether owned or rented, is a special place. It keeps you, your loved ones, and your belongings safe. Therefore, investing in a good home security system is something you cannot ignore. A good home security system offers you protection against innumerable threats and watches out for you for events like fire, burglary, floods, and other suspicious activities.
Contrary to popular belief, there are multiple options for renters regarding popular residential security systems for rented apartments and homes. We will walk you through the process of choosing the best renter-friendly home security system.
Is getting a home security system essential?
Reasons why getting a home security system is so essential for you as a renter are:
It offers ample protection without causing any complications in your life. As a renter, it is pretty easy just to get the equipment and install it to get some extra, robust protection against the outside threats, getting locked out, or signing costly contracts. Most DIY systems offer you that sense of security with their professional teams, which will help you walk through the process via calls, chats, videos, etc.
Installing a home security system in your apartment is even more critical if you live in a building or neighborhood with high traffic. You never know who is living next to you, who is being buzzed in, or who precisely is delivering all those pizzas to your building. In fact, in most cases, even your neighbor might not know!
You could not be just helping yourself, but helping your small community.
What are your options for a home security system as a renter?
As a renter, you will need:
1. DIY installation
2. À-la-carte purchasing options
3. Minimal equipment
4. Short contracts or zero contracts
5. Portable security systems and camera
Most landlords would rather have their tenants not drill any holes in any wall or make any complex or structural changes to their property. So, installing any complex home security system is not really a great idea, especially if you are constantly moving from one place to another every two years or so!
You do not want to be tied down with equipment you spent a lot on attached to the apartment that is not even yours.
What is the cost of a renter-friendly home security system?
The cost of renter-friendly home security systems will vary depending on the kind of equipment and device you choose, the kind of accessories you are adding to it, and other factors. A good home security system can be yours for under $200. The system should include your starter kit, a base station, keypads, a door or contact sensor (at least one), and a motion sensor.
As a renter, you should look forward to systems that offer you the basics at first and allow you to further add on as per your needs and requirements.
What to do if your landlord approves installing a home security system?
Few property managers and landlords will not find an issue with a renter's request to install home security systems. Of course, an overall secure apartment is more appealing to future renters, so a landlord might even chip in for some of the expenses involved in the security system's installation.
All you need to do is simply share the alarm code with your landlord and make sure they can easily enter the property without a hassle (of course, in your presence!). You might also have to offer them access to the outdoor camera feed, even when your indoor camera feed can be private to you. The state laws are going to vary on this instance of providing your landlord with the appropriate video surveillance feed in a legal manner. So, researching well beforehand is a great idea!
In cases where your landlord also agrees to the installation of a home security system in their apartment, they can coordinate to help install the system. The system thereby installed can be shared with them in terms of access as well. Any and all indoor camera feed can be negotiated when it comes to sharing, so the landlord is not actually violating your privacy as a tenant.
If the landlord is looking to install the indoor cameras separately, you will be required to pay for them at your own expense.
What to do if your landlord does not agree to the home security system installation?
If you live in a rented apartment and your landlord does not agree to install a home security system, the best option for you is to get wireless equipment. Wireless equipment comes in multiple ways, where the best option would be to get the DIY options.
Multiple features come along with the traditional home security equipment as well in a DIY form like the ADT systems.
As far as DIY home security systems are concerned, there is very little opportunity to cause any major damages to the rental home/apartment. This is something your landlord will appreciate. An added bonus? When you move out to a new place, you can take this equipment along with you and install it again!
How to choose a renter-friendly home security system?
To find and choose the best renter-friendly home security system, look out for the following:
Level of protection
Any cheap or bargain-priced home security system is going to have only a few windows or door sensors. This can help you deter intruders and other illegal trespassers, but not precisely in the way you look forward to! You need to opt for a higher level of security to your home security system by adding more features to your equipment to cover all potential entry points to your home.
The cost
You can choose the best renter-friendly home security system from a wide range of options. All you need to do is look for the options and add-ons you are considering and the overall cost. Is the cost exceeding the features?
The installation process
As far as DIY equipment is concerned, you can get necessary guidance from the home security company over the phone as well as live chat options. But if you are really going to install the equipment, you need assistance from the company itself. Get quotes for everything, including the installation process, its time, and its additional cost, before you jump to make any decisions.
Read all documents carefully.
Check the fine print carefully. Study your contracts and other documents while you purchase the equipment. If you are also going to spend something extra to get 24/7 monitoring, read all the terms and conditions carefully before signing on anything.
The best renter-friendly home security systems in 2022
Here is a quick look at some of the best renter-friendly home security systems in 2022:
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe offers you access to a really wide range of affordable equipment with expert monitoring plans to keep your home safe.
Abode
Abode offers innovation when it comes to home security. You can do a lot with their systems and equipment in an affordable price range.
Frontpoint
The home security company offers incredible customer support and service, along with offering you great discounts on their systems and products.
Cove
The home security company is everything a tenant could dream of. Not only do they offer affordable monitoring and equipment, but they also help you upgrade your home security equipment without having to worry about extra charges.
Scout
Scout offers a stylish way to secure your home in a unique way. You can order multiple additional equipment and features to further secure yourself and your family.
This was our guide to selecting the best renter-friendly home security system! Check out our in-depth reviews on some of the best home security systems to select the best for your needs!
