(Acoustic music)
When you're renting,
home security gets a little bit tricky.
You need to think about a few things
that homeowners don't need to consider,
like are you even allowed to install extra security?
So I'm here to help you figure out
the best type of security to protect your home
whether you own it or not.
So by the end of this video,
you will be ready to amp up
your rental security with confidence.
Let's talk about the features that you wanna look for
to make sure that the security system
that you get is renter friendly.
All right, equipment ownership
is important to consider when you're renting
because your lease is gonna end at some point,
and you are gonna wanna take your investment with you.
Companies like SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode
are really great for this,
because you buy the equipment outright, and you own it.
It's yours to keep, and a starter kit for any of these
is going to run you from around $200 to about $500,
and that is possibly more doable
than being in a big contract,
and this equipment will be yours no matter where you move.
Even if you end up buying a home,
you can take it with you.
There are companies that don't require
an upfront equipment purchase,
like ADT, Link Interactive, and Protect America
that are still good, they're very much like Frontpoint
where you'll get a DIY kit, and you can set it up yourself
and move it with you, but they will require a contract,
and what they're doing with that
is they're technically leasing the equipment to you,
so in your monthly fee,
you're basically paying off the equipment.
However, at the end of that contract, or if you move,
you might have to send the equipment back
and order all new equipment, or if you're with ADT,
typically you leave the equipment in the place,
which might be a deal-breaker
if your landlord is not thrilled
that you're leaving an ADT system in their property.
So that's something to consider when you're finding
the right security system for your rental.
Installing your security system,
so this can be tricky when you're renting
because you're gonna be responsible
if you put any holes in the walls,
or if you mess up the wiring,
and that will not be fun to deal with or pay for.
So, we recommend that you look for wireless equipment
that you can install yourself.
Like this is the base station for SimpliSafe
and it will just sit on a table or a counter,
and it's gonna do its job.
You don't have to put anything into the walls,
which is awesome. And there is an option, though,
to get a professional installer
to come in and install the equipment,
which might be tempting
if you're doing more complicated stuff
like security cameras in specific areas,
but you definitely want to clear any of that
with your landlord before you do it.
And one thing to note: there are a few systems out there
that promote themselves as wireless,
but they actually have a control panel
that you're gonna have wired into the wall,
and that's something that obviously
you won't be able to take with you,
so you're gonna be left with taking that out,
and fixing the wall before you move,
so that might not be your best choice.
Most DIY-installed systems come with adhesives,
so they have Command Strips already on them,
and you just pop 'em onto the wall, and you're good to go,
but the downside to that
is when we've had a system in place for awhile,
and like maybe just for a few months,
we have found that sometimes
the peel-and-stick method leads to a sensor falling down
at like 2:00 in the morning,
and then you're awakened, and terrified,
and you're trying to figure out what's going on,
and it's just that the motion sensor
went crashing to the floor,
so I recommend checking the security
of those self-adhesive monitors regularly
so that you don't end up scared awake
in the middle of the night.
All right, finally, size.
Size matters when it comes to your home security system,
and you need to make sure that you get the right system
for the size of your apartment, condo,
or home that you're renting.
The bare minimums that you need for any security system
are a central control panel or hub,
preferably with a siren that will go off
if the security system is breached,
a motion detector somewhere near your main entrance
so that you're gonna be able to tell
if something's coming and going in that high-traffic area,
and contact sensors on your front door
and any other doors or windows
that could be accessed by someone.
So if you're on a main floor,
almost all those doors and windows
are gonna be able to be accessed by somebody.
I'm currently on the fourth floor,
so I don't have sensors on any of the windows
or on my patio door, but I have a security camera
with motion detection in the main room,
and that covers what I need,
so you don't need to go overboard,
but you can add some extras to your security system
if you're renting and you want a little more
of a smart home feeling.
So, if you're looking for a little bit more
than just simple security to keep the bad people out,
and you're not in like a swanky new building
with cool, extra built-in security and smart home features,
you might wanna consider adding things
like a security camera, again, indoors probably where
you're going to have to do that
because you probably won't be able
to put something in a hallway
if you're sharing living space.
There are peephole cameras, again,
check on the legality of that.
Smart locks: you could add a smart lock,
and one of the very best ones
to use if you're renting is called the August Lock,
and it fits on the inside of your door,
and it goes right over your existing deadbolt,
and it just makes it smart, so it's gonna work on Bluetooth,
and as you're approaching the door,
you can unlock it, it'll automatically unlock,
you can check if you get all the way to the car
and you don't wanna climb up the stairs again
to make sure you locked the door.
Just do it on your app. Really cool.
You could also add a smoke
or carbon monoxide monitoring device.
They're listening devices that will
talk to the hub of your home security system
and send you an alert if your smoke alarm goes off.
So you don't have to wait until
there's smoke billowing out the windows;
you can just get an early alert.
So here's a recap of the most important things
to consider when you're looking
for a renter-friendly security system.
First of all, you want a short or no contract option,
so that you're not tied in longer than your lease.
You want wireless equipment, including the control panel
that's not gonna put holes in the walls,
and that can move with you when it's time to go.
I think DIY installation is what you're after
because you don't have to coordinate strangers coming in
and getting that approved by the property manager.
The size of the system, size counts,
don't get more than you need.
You can make it much more affordable
if you just pay attention to those key security areas,
which means your upfront cost
is something to keep an eye on.
Safewise.com has all of the answers for you.
We've done thousands of hours of research
and testing with these systems in different environments
so that we could put together the best resources
to help you stay safe at home,
whether you rent or own your house.
So go to safewise.com to find out
our top security system recommendations for renters,
plus we have a bunch of extra safety tips
for every living situation,
whether it's living in an apartment,
or how to survive with your roommates.
(uplifting digital music)