Technology is at the forefront of almost everything people do nowadays. From making a purchase in the grocery store to connecting with family members on the other side of the globe, there is no denying the role of technology in human life. Among the many technological advancements, smart devices and home automation are some of the most in-demand.
Naturally, homeowners are lining up to get these reliable and efficient AI and technologically advanced devices to add to their homes. They are free to do so since they own their properties and houses. How about renters, though?
Is it possible to install AI and smart home for rental property? Is there any smart home technology that won’t violate lease agreements with landlords?
If you want to learn more about home automation for renters, continue reading!
Understanding Smart Home Automation and Revolution
Households worldwide are becoming digital as the rise of AI and home-automated technology allows more families to live a convenient and comfortable life. According to recent home statistics, more than 60.2 million households in America are using smart devices as of 2023, representing an impressive increase of 3% from last year.
Given that smart devices have become more affordable and accessible these days, it isn’t surprising why they have become a commonplace and daily feature in people’s everyday lives. You might not realize it now, but smart home technology is deeply embedded and engraved in everything you touch — from your phone to your appliances.
Smart Home Automation For Renters
Although, what is smart home technology in apartments? A smart home set-up is a residential space that utilizes technologically advanced, internet-connected devices and appliances that allow remote management and monitoring.
Smart home devices and technology enable people to control their home devices through their phones or voice seamlessly. This system effectively creates a highly intuitive and intelligent family home and living space.
AI is the heart of many home automation and smart devices, bringing a revolutionary transformation to the home setting and environment. This intelligent technology gives you unparalleled personalization ease and level, making your everyday lives much more convenient and easy.
At this point, home automation for renters is not just a luxury. Most deems it as a necessity.
Installing Home Automation in a Rental Property
Now, the question is: Can you install a smart home in an apartment? Moreso, what if the apartment is rental property?
Typically, a tenant or renter cannot make any permanent improvements, installations, or alterations in a rental apartment, unit, condo, or property. They are only allowed to do so if their landlord gives them consent. Otherwise, it will violate their lease agreement and might cause hefty consequences.
Now, in the case of smart home technology, most landlords have no problems with them as long as no permanent installations are happening. For instance, you can’t rewire the space to install bright lighting or new thermostats.
That means that a renter’s options for smart devices are limited and few since wholesale changes are not allowed. It is why upgrading a rental property with smart devices poses more challenges than a privately owned one.
Even with the limited options, you would be happy to learn that there are still plenty of ways to make your rental space innovative and technologically advanced. You only need to be more creative with coming up with solutions to achieve your dream futuristic home.
Benefits of Smart Home Devices and Technologies
People not adverse to home automation might wonder about the hype surrounding smart apartment technology. There are several benefits to revolutionizing and modernizing an apartment, no matter if it’s only rental.
1. Enhance Security and Safety
An apartment must be adequately secured and safe to make a family feel comfortable and at home. Landlords typically provide security in the form of excellent locks and CCTV cameras. Unfortunately, these outdated technologies can put you and your family at risk.
Equipping your smart apartment for rent with an intelligent security system can offer you and your landlord remote access. Smart locks and motion detectors can help prevent unwanted break-ins.
2. Boosts Convenience and Comfort
The most significant advantage of smart home technology is its convenience and comfort to the tenant or renter. Smart devices can elevate and boost your overall living experience, providing you with almost everything you need with ease and less effort.
3. Helps Control Utility Expenses
Using and implementing intelligent gadgets and devices can help you manage your energy costs more effectively. Home automation can cut down your rental bills and energy use. Also, these devices tend to have less environmental impact as well.
Smart Home Products For Renters
Smart home for apartments that are for rent is entirely possible. Fortunately, you can do big, inspirational things in a small house — even if it’s not yours entirely.
For renters looking for smart home products that don’t require rewiring or renovations, here are some standard and affordable options to choose from.
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Virtual Assistant
Add futuristic details to your rental apartment or condo by buying a virtual assistant like Alexa or Google Home. A good chunk of American households now use a smart speaker in their homes as a sort of assistant and personal concierge.
With a virtual assistant, a person can easily and instantly program various requests they can trigger with voice activation. For instance, you have your hands full with cooking when you want to listen to your favorite playlist. You can ask your voice-activated virtual assistant to do that for you.
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Smart Locks
Keyless and hands-free entry is a highly convenient home feature when you have arms and hands laden with packages, children, or groceries. A smart lock is a technologically advanced device that can lock and unlock doors based on your phone’s location (if that is a feature your lock offers). Some smart locks unlock via PIN codes.
No matter the type of smart lock, a keyless innovative entry system is still safer for rental properties. Not only can it better prevent break-ins, but there is also no worry of accidentally losing your keys, which locks you out.
However, be meticulous in choosing your smart lock. There are smart lock systems that are complicated to install, with some requiring permanent installation. Fortunately, several smart lock options can slot directly on top of your door’s current locking system.
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Smart Home Security System
A smart security system allows you to connect to your rental apartment’s WiFi to deliver information to your phone about the happenings in your home. A wireless CCTV camera can help you keep watch of your home without needing to rewire or permanently change anything. Choosing one with a motion detector allows you to be aware of every detected movement in your apartment.
Aside from smart cameras, other useful home security devices are entry sensors, panic buttons, and glass break sensors. These will all be useful in preventing and alerting break-ins, ensuring that your rental property is safe.
Note that as a renter, there are considerations for smart home rental systems. Many home security systems require rewiring, so you must choose carefully.
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Smart Smoke Detector
Installing a smoke detector is necessary to ensure you have an apartment or condo alarm system that can alert you in case of a fire. Compared to a traditional smoke detector, a smart one offers more benefits.
A smart smoke detector can send notifications on your smartphone. That means you are instantly notified if a fire breaks out in your rental apartment, even if you are not at home. You can alert the fire department immediately, preventing the fire from spreading further.
Since the smart smoke detector is linked to your phone, you can quickly turn it off if it activates because of a false alarm.
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Lighting
Smart lighting is an attractive product that brings more light and color to your rental apartment. It combines safety and convenience for a bright and intelligent solution that makes sense.
Outside the apartment, you can install motion-activated lighting that can sprinkle a layer of protection for your home. Burglars are easy to spook if they think you caught them in the act.
There are easy-to-install smart bulbs or Bluetooth-controlled lights for the home’s interior that won’t require any rewiring. These lights might need you to download an app to your device so you can control them remotely at any time.
Many smart lighting devices offer various features, like flashing, dimming, and color-changing. Some even sync with media, like movies or music. You can also control these lights using virtual assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa.
Smart and AI Devices For Every Room
Most people nowadays are actively searching for ways to save energy and electricity bills. More innovative and greener solutions are the key to further enriching a person’s daily life and fostering a more sustainable living practice.
Embracing technological advancements can help create a positive impact on the rental property and the environment outside. To start, you can begin collecting energy-saving smart devices.
Now, what smart and home automation devices can you utilize in every room of your rental apartment?
- Living Room: Smart lighting, smart thermostats, smart speakers, smart cameras, and voice-controlled virtual assistants.
- Kitchen: Smart plugs and smart appliances.
- Bedroom: Smart lighting, smart sleep devices, and smart speakers.
- Outdoor Spaces: Smart security cameras, smart lighting, motion detectors, and alarm systems.
Just keep in mind that you can’t permanently install any smart device. Look for ones that won’t require rewiring or renovating to avoid directly violating your lease agreement.
FAQs for Home Automation for Renters
1. Do smart home devices increase a rental home’s value?
Yes, landlords often demand higher rents for smart home rental properties. Smart homes are more attractive and appealing to tenants and renters nowadays, bringing more convenience, comfort, and energy efficiency. Tenants will pay more for these smart devices’ added advanced features.
2. Are there potential security risks in using smart devices?
Yes, smart devices have potential security risks. The two primary areas of concern are privacy and safety. Smart devices and technology collect the tenants’ personal data, like personal preference, location, and daily activities.
While the data gathering provides the tenant with a better living experience, it could also be used for malicious and nefarious reasons if it falls into the wrong hands.
3. Is a smart rental apartment more profitable?
Yes. A landlord can earn more with a smart rental apartment with several innovative AI devices. Landlords and property managers can demand higher rent fees and reduce energy and maintenance costs.
4. Is home automation a good investment?
Yes, home automation for renters is a worthwhile investment. It can make your and your family’s daily routine enjoyable and convenient. While the upfront cost might be hefty, you can still save for the long term. Home automation goes beyond convenience, as it can also help reduce energy costs and improve home security.
Conclusion
Successfully implementing and installing smart and home automation devices for your rental home requires a thoughtful approach. As you don’t have the same freedom and limitless options as a private homeowner, you must take more meticulous steps and thinking.
While more challenging, home automation for renters is entirely possible. Just remember to keep an open communication line with your landlord to ensure you are not violating any rule they have on the rental unit. Also, be sure that you can uninstall whatever new smart device you install by the time you need to leave.