Best of · Security
Smart home gadgets for rental properties
No-drill locks, plugs, and leak sensors a landlord will not confiscate.
Eli BrooksUpdated September 12, 20269 min read
Our pick: Retrofit lock, Thread plugs, leak sensors — skip hardwired cameras
Smart home gadgets for rental properties have one extra spec: they have to leave with you, or survive a guest who will yank a battery. That knocks out half the aisle.
Long-term rental (you live there)
- SwitchBot Lock Ultra or another interior retrofit
- Plug-in Thread/Matter outlets — no in-wall
- Adhesive leak and door sensors
- A plug-in camera only if roommates consent and local law allows
Short-term / Airbnb-style
Codes that expire, a lock you can audit, leak sensors under every sink, and a noise sensor if you must. Hidden cameras are how you meet a lawyer. Indoor guest-facing cameras belong on the listing, not in a plant.
Questions we get
Can renters install smart locks?
Interior retrofit locks like SwitchBot Lock Ultra usually do not replace the exterior hardware. Confirm the lease. Do not drill a doorbell camera into masonry you do not own.