There are many different smart home tech products that feel permanent and that means, renters are hesitant to invest in them. When you’re renting home, adding permanent features to that home isn’t a great idea financially speaking. But there is smart home tech for renters that can easily be removed when you decide it’s time to move. Just because these smart home products are easy to remove doesn’t mean they don’t provide the same amazing features as the more difficult ones. In fact, they may be the best option, even when you own a home.
Smart home tech for renters provides the same smart home technology in a temporary home and can easily be brought with you when you move.
Smart Home Tech for Renters | Smart Lights
Smart lights are probably the first and easiest smart home tech devices to get, especially for renters. Smart bulbs like Philips Hue come with a hub and the bulbs, both of which can easily be moved to a new home if you decide to move. The best part is, the hub doesn’t have a big footprint so you can tuck it away while in use and the bulbs have a ton of features that will make your home feel 10 times smarter once you start using them. If you’re on a budget, the Ikea Tradfri system is super affordable and just as easy to pack up.
Smart Home Tech for Renters | Smart Assistant
Another easy addition to any smart home is the smart assistant like the Amazon Echo or Google Home. These devices help control your other smart home products and also with everyday tasks. Other features include playing music, shopping, taking notes verbally, setting alarms and reminders. The only thing you need to control these speakers is your smartphone, to set them up, and then your voice after the setup is complete.
Smart Home Tech for Renters | Smart TV
A smart tv is any TV that is connected to the internet and can make use of apps like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. These TVs can be packed up just like your normal TV but they add an extra layer of intelligence to your home. When you pair the TV with your smart assistant, you can control the TV with your voice. If a smart TV is a little out of the budget, you can always opt for a smart dongle like the Roku Stick or Google Chromecast. These dongles connect to the HDMI port of any tv that has one and turns a dumb TV into a smart TV for very little money.
Smart Home Tech for Renters | Smart Locks
Smart locks are a bit more difficult to find when you can’t make modifications to the property. However, there are options like the August Smart Lock. This lock fits into most deadbolt cutouts in front doors and if you have a deadbolt now, you can most likely use the August Smart Lock. While this device is on the pricier side, the amount of security you will get from it is amazing. Not to mention, you never have to worry about forgetting to lock your door again with features like automatically locking when your phone leaves the house or virtual guest keys for friends while you’re away.
Smart Home Tech for Renters | Security Camera
Security is a big deal, even when you live in an apartment building. People are ordering more and more online which means packages could be sitting at your front door for hours at a time. A security camera can easily be added to any home without making major modifications to the property. Nest Cam IQ is among the best and it can easily be added both inside your outside your home.