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SimpliSafe
SecureScore™: 9.2/10
As the originator of apartment-based security systems, SimpliSafe now offers the best monitoring with video verification for renters thanks to its new Fast Protect live guard monitoring.
With a six-month trial period, ADT lets you fully test out your system before you commit. The money-back guarantee might even take you to the end of your lease.
Cove offers affordable, build-your-own packages that let you buy what you need and nothing more, in addition to its frequent discounts and affordable monitoring. That’s why Cove is our top budget pick.
As the originator of apartment-based security systems, SimpliSafe now offers the best monitoring with video verification for renters thanks to its new Fast Protect live guard monitoring.
With a six-month trial period, ADT lets you fully test out your system before you commit. The money-back guarantee might even take you to the end of your lease.
Cove offers affordable, build-your-own packages that let you buy what you need and nothing more, in addition to its frequent discounts and affordable monitoring. That’s why Cove is our top budget pick.
Installing a security system sometimes requires major alterations such as drilling into walls or rerouting wires. You can understand why landlords might not want those kinds of permanent changes to their property. But here’s the good news: There are home security systems that cater to renters. These are wireless systems you can install without needing to drill or wire anything. And as added perks, they don’t require a long-term contract, there are no moving fees, and it’s easy to pack the equipment up when the time to move comes.
SimpliSafe, ADT, Cove, Frontpoint, and Alder are our top picks. They all allow wireless, DIY installation, and they’re all flexible. SimpliSafe stands out as a security brand created specifically with apartments in mind. It has since grown to become an industry leader, but its renter-friendly features remain intact. To make sure you pick the right choice though, we outlined our experience with each of our top recommendations in this guide, so keep reading.
Our Methodology: How We Tested and Ranked The Best Home Security Systems for Renters
Our team of home security experts strongly believes that to make honest and accurate recommendations, we need to test security systems first-hand. So we buy the equipment with our own money, set them up in our own homes, and live with them for weeks or months. This approach lets us get a good feel for the usability, app, response time, and features of each security system we recommend for renters.
Our Testing Setup
We do our best to compare apples to apples. For starters, we install all our test systems in the same house owned by one of our security experts. It’s a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home. We find that this setup offers the best glimpse of how each security system functions in the real world.
We also buy the same components from each system and set them up in identical locations. Here is where we installed the devices we tested:
Since we’re talking about security systems for renters, however, we drew upon our extensive security experience to decide which factors would be most important to renters. We concluded that these are the most important criteria to consider:
Installation options (40%): If you want your security deposit back, you’ll need devices that can be installed without drilling holes into the wall or stripping paint off the door frame.
Monitoring flexibility (30%): We prioritized security systems that don’t require a monitoring contract so you can move or cancel anytime. But for those that require a contract, we picked the ones with the most flexible terms.
Affordability (30%): There are a lot of upfront costs when you move into a new rental property. The last thing you want to do is add to it with expensive security equipment, so we picked systems with affordable pricing.
Using these criteria, here’s how we compared and ranked our top picks.
Rating the Best Security System for Renters
Why You Can Trust Us
We’ve all landed on websites featuring reviews for everything from surfboards to hammocks. But our team of experts exclusively review home security and safety equipment. This allows us to dedicate our attention to the topic at hand. The experts who contributed to this review include:
Rob Gabriele, Editorial Director & Home Security Expert
Andrew Garcia, Lead Editor & Home Security Researcher
Derek Prall, Home Security Expert & Testing Coordinator
Jaime Fraze, Security Camera & Video Doorbell Expert
Paul Frew, Home Security System Expert & Security Camera Expert
Joshua Lee, Former patrol officer and detective for a police department in Arizona.
With over 75 years of combined industry experience, we are the most accomplished home security team on the internet. Our work on SafeHome.org started in 2016 and has been featured in many major outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. Collectively, we have:
Created 10+ home security guides
Produced 40+ industry research/studies
Published 60+ security system reviews
Spent over 10,000+ hours on research
All of our recommendations are based on first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the home security industry. So, let’s take a closer look at the best home security systems for renters.
Comparison of the Best Home Security Systems for Renters
SimpliSafe was one of the first home security systems we tested to offer a comprehensive security solution to renters. DIY installation and contract-free monitoring remains two of its strongest selling points, but the comprehensiveness comes from the fact that it offers security cameras and advanced monitoring techniques such as live security camera monitoring. Even some of the big names we’ve tested such as ADT and Vivint don’t offer camera monitoring. As such, SimpliSafe has positioned itself as one of the best home security systems while remaining grounded to its roots as a DIY, easy-to-use security system.
SimpliSafe equipment
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Offers no-monthly-fee self-monitoring
Stylish wireless equipment
Allows DIY setup but offers professional installation
Equipment packages start at $250
Live Guard Protection feature for the Smart Alarm indoor camera and outdoor camera
Cons:
Missing a few types of equipment, like garage door sensors
Offers only a battery-powered option for outdoor video security
Monitoring price increased three times in the past four years
No touch screen keypad
Our Experience:
SimpliSafe Installation
One reason SimpliSafe was so instantly popular with renters when it came on the market? Easy DIY installation. Everything is peel and stick – entry sensors to cameras – which means it all goes up quickly. The hardest part is deciding where to place the equipment. We managed the whole process in under 20 minutes. Plus, it all comes down just as quickly. That means you don’t have to worry about permanent damage to your walls, and you can easily pack everything up and take it with you when you decide to move.
Here’s one of our experts installing the SimpliSafe motion sensors with adhesive backing.
Pro Tip: As a test, we asked a team member who is renting to show his landlord our pictures installing SimpliSafe (like the one above). The landlord was adamant to allow monitored security systems, but later agreed after reading our installation experience.
SimpliSafe Professional Monitoring
Professional monitoring has become one of SimpliSafe’s biggest selling points. It doesn’t quite have ADT’s 12 fully-redundant monitoring centers, but SimpliSafe’s video verification feature is one of a kind. When we tested ADT, the alarm center verified alerts from our system using our security cameras. With SimpliSafe, they even used the two-way talk on our cameras to scare us away while we were pretending to be burglars during our break-in simulations.
That feature, called Live Guard Protection, uses the Smart Alarm wireless indoor camera. After our entry sensor picked up a potential break-in (us entering the house while the system was armed), the camera’s privacy cover snapped open, letting the monitoring center see our living room. As soon as we were in front of the camera, the speaker came alive and a stern, male voice asked us to verify our identity.
Live Guard Protection is included in SimpliSafe’s mid-tier monitoring plan called Core. It’s what we recommend, but there are other subscription plans available. Here’s an overview of SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans and their costs:
Features
Free
Self-Monitoring with Camera Cloud Storage
Standard Professional Monitoring
Core
Cloud storage for 30 days of recordings
No
Yes
No
Yes
Smart platform compatibility
No
No
No
Yes
Cellular backup
No
No
No
Yes
24/7 professional monitoring
No
No
Yes
Yes
Video verification and live guard
No
No
Yes
Yes
Equipment warranty
1-year
3-year
3-year
Lifetime
Price
Free
$9.99 per month
$19.99 per month
$29.99 per month
More Options: Two other premium plans are available, named Pro and Pro Plus. They cost $49.99 and $79.99 respectively and offer the same features as the Core plan but with one crucial addition – live camera monitoring works on outdoor cameras as well. SimpliSafe calls that feature Active Guard, and it brings live camera monitoring and verification to the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera and Video Doorbell Pro (more on the video doorbell below).
SimpliSafe Video Doorbell
Kudos to SimpliSafe for making a video doorbell with multiple setup options. When we tested the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, we were impressed by how easy it was to adjust motion sensor sensitivity. That can be a crucial tool for apartment dwellers, since you tend to have traffic by your front door. False alerts can convince you it’s OK to let some go. When you know every alert is meaningful, you’re more likely to pay attention to all of them.
Of all the SimpliSafe devices we tested, the video doorbell was the only one that needed both hardwiring and drilling.
You’d think that with the ability to include tools like that, SimpliSafe could manage to produce a doorbell that doesn’t require hardwiring. You’d be wrong. For now, SimpliSafe only offers a hardwired version of its video doorbell, and that means you’ve got to disconnect your existing doorbell and attach this new one (if your landlord lets you do that at all). It also means you have to go through the whole process in reverse when you move.
And if you don’t have an existing doorbell? Well, you may need to consider other options altogether. Google Nest offers a smart, battery-powered option. See our Nest Doorbell review and if you like it, our next pick might be better suited for you.
FYI: The SimpliSafe doorbell wasn’t the easiest to set up. It took us over 15 minutes, and that’s with a setup that perfectly matches SimpliSafe’ specs (8 to 24 VAC, 10 to 30 VA).
Despite its stellar reputation and its long history of excellence in the home security business, we used to discourage renters from signing up with ADT. Systems had to be professionally installed, and that could put security deposits at risk. Over the last year, though, ADT rolled out a lineup of DIY home security systems. When we tested ADT Self Setup we found it to be easy to install, if not quite as easy as SimpliSafe systems.
Expert Examined
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
Having security cameras nowadays is a must. Video footage is a big help to law enforcement when it comes to solving crimes. Let’s say a burglary just happened, but the perpetrator is gone when police arrive. If the investigating officer has video footage of the criminal, clothing descriptions or vehicle information, and the direction they fled, he or she can get that information out to other officers quickly. This information can help officers in the area to begin searching for suspects. That information is also important to investigators on cases that may have happened days ago, as they can use information obtained from the video footage to solve the case.
ADT Control Panel
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Intuitive and easy-to-use app
24/7 professional monitoring with 12 monitoring centers
Cellular backup
SMART Monitoring technology for faster response times
150 years of experience
Offers Google Nest Cams
Now offers DIY components via ADT Self Setup
Cons:
Installation fee costs $99 minimum
Limited touch-screen control panel features
Equipment costs more than the DIY competition
Our Experience:
ADT Installation
For most of its 150-year history, ADT offered nothing but professional installation, and there is something to be said for putting your feet up and letting someone else do the work. Plus, because it’s been doing things this way for so long, ADT is good at it. Installation techs know where to put equipment so you get the best coverage, and they take time to explain how to use your system.
This type of installation isn’t always suitable for apartments, though. You probably don’t want anyone drilling into your walls, or making changes to your apartment’s wiring. Luckily, all ADT systems now come with the option for self-installation. Think peel-and-stick labels, wireless connections, and easy placement on end tables. ADT is still getting used to this approach, but it’s a valuable option for those of us who rent.
Here’s how our ADT control panel looked right after installation.
ADT now offers Google Nest cameras, packed with some of the most advanced tech in the industry. Even these, though, were completely DIY install. In fact, the particular Google Nest Doorbell we tested was battery-powered so it was even easier to install than the SimpliSafe wired video doorbell. Plus, while professional installation is nice and all, it does cost money. DIY is 100-percent free.
Note: We still had to use a drill to install the Nest Doorbell, specifically for the wall anchor. And frankly, we don’t recommend installing it any other way. It’s a $180 piece of equipment; you’d want to make sure it’s anchored securely.
ADT Professional Monitoring
If you haven’t checked out ADT lately, you’re in for some surprises. The company’s been making big changes. It started by offering self-installed systems. Then it cut equipment and monitoring prices across the board. Most recently, it began offering self-monitoring. We never thought we’d see that from ADT. Don’t worry, you can still purchase professional monitoring – which, by the way, we absolutely recommend – only now you can get for a much lower price. But if you just have to save a few dollars and self-monitor, you have that option with ADT as well now. Here’s what ADT offers with its three plans, though.
Features
Secure
Smart
Complete
24/7 professional monitoring
Yes
Yes
Yes
Support for security cameras
No
No
Yes
Home automation features
No
Yes
Yes
Price
$29.99 per month
$44.99 per month
$45.99 per month
ADT Video Doorbell
ADT now offers Google Nest products, including the Google Nest video doorbell. The device is available in a wireless, battery-powered model, an especially good choice for apartment dwellers. As a bonus, wireless makes installing the camera a breeze. Of course it’s compatible with Google Home, but it works nicely with Alexa as well. You’ll find all the best features here, from two-way talk to a 145-degree field-of-view.
Like many current video doorbells out there, the Nest Video Doorbell can distinguish between people, packages, cars, and animals, which helps cut down on false alerts. Unlike most other video doorbells, though, the Nest comes with facial recognition software capable of learning your neighborhood friendly faces. Not only do you get customized alerts, but you can set your security system to let people you trust in automatically. No more leaving the key under the mat for the dogwalker.
That’s everything we received from the Nest Doorbell (battery) box.
As for the Google Nest Doorbell, it’s battery-powered as previously mentioned, which makes installation a breeze. We really liked the familiar face detection on it though. This lets the camera automatically start to recognize people. Then, we could attach names to the faces it started to recognize to make our alerts smarter. So, by the end of our time with the Google Nest Doorbell, we got alerts that said “Alex is at the front door” instead of “Someone is at the front door” when our friend would stop by.
Cove doesn’t offer any pre-packaged systems. That may turn some customers off. It means taking the time to carefully review your home security needs and pick out the components that work best for your particular situation. We like this approach, though. The truth is, you need to think through what you need. You’re not buying a TV; you’re purchasing a home security system, and the more time you put into it, the safer you and your family will be.
In fact, this approach is particularly useful for apartment-dwellers. Most of us don’t need three door sensors, motion sensors, and glass break sensors. If you live in a one-bedroom unit in a multi-story apartment complex, one door sensor and a video doorbell are enough. Buying equipment ala carte is going to save money on unnecessary system components.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Monitoring starts at $17.99 per month
Simple but functional mobile app and touchscreen controller
85 dB siren built into each Cove Hub and touchscreen keypad
Affordable equipment options
Frequently offers deals and discounts
Cons:
No self-monitoring option
Limited home automation and integrations
Doesn’t offer equipment financing
More limited equipment options than other brands
Our Experience:
Cove Installation
Like ADT, Cove offers professional installation, and like ADT, it charges for that installation – $129. For that price, we decided we could set up our Cove security system ourselves. Unless you’re afraid of ladders, we actually recommend it. Devices were packaged in the exact order they needed to be installed. Once we plugged in the hub, we had a master code that let us connect the sensors and cameras. Mounting was peel and stick (maybe you’re detecting a theme at this point?) so no drill holes, and most devices plugged directly into the wall so wiring wasn’t an issue either. From the opening of the first box to the final setup of the last piece of equipment, the whole process took about 30 minutes.
It was as easy as plugging in the hub, setting up a master code, mounting some sensors, and installing the cameras. There was no need to drill holes in the wall or mess around with the internal wiring. Most devices are battery-powered or plug into a socket, and the sensors stick to the wall with adhesives.
Pro Tip: What we really loved about installing Cove? The on-screen and audible instructions. And with the touchscreen keypad’s 24-hour battery, you can take it around with you as you install your sensors around the apartment.
Cove Professional Monitoring
Cove offers a choice of two professional monitoring plans. Both give your 24/7 coverage. Both include 4G LTE back from AT&T for those times when your Wi-Fi goes down. The 4G even includes a backup battery. During the big ice storm last year, we knew we were secure until the utilities managed to get electricity back up. Luckily, Cove ran us through several simulations when we set up our system, so we knew exactly how to verify the hub was still doing its thing.
You should know that the Basic plan doesn’t include smart home support. If you want to use your voice to tell Alexa and Google Home to turn your system on, you’ll need the Plus plan. Similarly, the Basic plan provides no camera support. That’s no good if you’ve got a video doorbell or some other security camera set up.
Cove Video Doorbell
YI Indoor Camera for Cove
Cove doesn’t manufacture its own cameras, and that sometimes means you wind up paying a bit more. The good news is Cove’s video doorbell’s are manufactured by Eufy, one of the best camera companies in the business. This doorbell doesn’t just detect movement. It’s also responsive to noises. Footage is 2K resolution, higher than the industry standard. Plus, with two-way talk, you can have a conversation with whoever’s at the door without having to get up off your couch.
Maybe the best thing about Cove’s video doorbells, though, is that you can store footage locally using a Micro SD card. The company offers cloud storage as well. That costs $2.99 a month, though, per camera, on top of monitoring costs. We’ll take the free option, thank you.
FYI: Before Eufy, Cove used to offer security cameras from Yi (see picture above). We like the switch because back then, the Yi cameras needed a different app than the Cove app. With the current setup, we were able to view camera footage and recordings straight from the Cove Connect app.
Frontpoint offers the professional service we associate with companies like Vivint and ADT. For instance, every system requires a professional monitoring plan. On the other hand, the company also follows the SimpliSafe playbook to an extent, with affordable system packages and DIY installation. The downside is that Frontpoint doesn’t offer as much choice as any of these companies. You don’t have the option, for instance, to order professional installation or self-monitor your system. Still, we encourage everyone to sign up for professional monitoring, and DIY installation is going to save you money. Limited options aren’t always a bad thing if they’re good options.
Frontpoint equipment
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
High-quality wireless equipment
DIY installation with professional install option
Fully cellular communication
Customizable automations
Outstanding app
Cons:
Expensive monitoring
No touch-screen control panel included in basic packages
Outsourced monitoring
Limited keypad functionality; more app reliant
Our Experience:
Frontpoint Installation
No hard choices to make here – Frontpoint doesn’t offer professional installation. No worries, though. The DIY process is so straightforward anyone can do it. That’s one reason Frontpoint also shows up on our list of best DIY systems. Installation is all – what else? – peel and stick. Instructions were clear. We got the whole thing up pretty easily, but just as a check, we called the support team and asked a couple of questions. Everyone was nice and helpful. We asked about the best spot to put our motion sensor, and they rightfully told us to put it in the corner of the room somewhere between five feet and seven feet high. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
FYI: Frontpoint has partnered with HelloTech for third-party professional installation, with prices starting at $99. It’s not our only top-pick with such an option; SimpliSafe partnered with OnTech. But in the topic of professional installation, we still prefer in-house. ADT is the only option on this list that offers that.
We loved the equipment quality, but the sensors were bulkier than we expected.
But, if you decide to take on Frontpoint’s DIY installation, it’s a pretty straightforward process. In fact, it was one of our favorite DIY home security systems because the installation was so easy. It even took us less time than installing SimpliSafe’s system. And thankfully, the new customer support team is really helpful. So, when we called to ask about the best spot to put our motion sensor, they rightfully told us to put it in the corner of the room somewhere between five feet and seven feet high.
Frontpoint Professional Monitoring
Frointpoint’s monitoring service is solid, if not particularly impressive. The 25-second response time is a bit better than the 30 to 40-second industry average, but it’s also slower than the fastest home security response times we’ve seen. In our testing, Vivint’s text alerts actually arrived in under 10 seconds.
Our bigger complaint has to do with the cost of Frontpoint monitoring. $49.99 isn’t ridiculous. We paid almost that much for ADT monitoring and more than that for Vivint. The problem is that there’s only one monitoring option. $49.99 is actually a good deal if you’ve got five or 10 cameras to monitor. It’s less so if you’re living in, say, an apartment and you have just one video doorbell. We’re not keen on paying the same price as someone living on a huge compound out in Montana.
Pro Tip: That flat rate isn’t ideal for everybody, especially if you’re renting a smaller apartment or if you’re not looking to get security cameras. If that’s the case, you’ll get better value from the Cove Basic ($17.99 per month) or SimpliSafe Standard ($19.99 per month) plans.
Frontpoint Video Doorbell
Frontpoint offers both a wired and wireless version of its video doorbell. Wired may work fine for you if you’re renting a house, but most apartment dwellers will prefer wireless. We live in a third-floor walkup, but we like the security of having eyes on our landing. You always want to know exactly who’s knocking at your door before you open it. Obviously, we don’t have a doorbell to replace with a wired video doorbell. Frontpoint’s wireless doorbell works perfectly, though. We can even talk with visitors when we’re at work, so no one knows when we’re not at home.
Features
Wired Video Doorbell
Wireless Video Doorbell
Smart notifications
Yes
Yes
Two-way audio
Yes
Yes
Resolution
1080p
1080p
Infrared night vision
Yes
Yes
Requires removal of current doorbell
Yes
No
Battery life
N/A
About 6 months
Operating temperatures
122 to -58 degrees Fahrenheit
122 to -4 degrees Fahrenheit
Price
$299.98
$199.99
FYI: Frontpoint constantly runs sales, bringing down the price of the Wired Video Doorbell down to $199.98 and the price of the Wireless Video Doorbell down to $129.99.
Alder began life as a regional home security provider. As part of its move to become a national provider, it’s made a few exaggerated claims to try and gain attention in a crowded market. A 10-minute installation process? A 3.4-second response time? Not according to our tests. Still, Alder makes for a solid home security choice, especially if you’re looking for great camera options. We don’t know why they feel the need to indulge in hyperbole. Both their indoor and outdoor cameras are packed with features. And a 30-second response time isn’t quite as attention-grabbing as a 3.4-second response time, but it still beats industry averages.
Note that Alder doesn’t allow you to purchase equipment upfront. That approach isn’t going to work for everyone since it means signing up for a 36-month financing contract.
Alder security equipment
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Stylish touch-screen control panel
4 G LTE cellular monitoring
Smartphone controls
Silent exit feature
Fast response (20 to 45 seconds)
Cons:
Pricey monitoring plans
Lacks pricing transparency
Limited home automation
Buggy mobile app
No online buying option
Our Experience:
Alder Installation
Alder’s installation process is reasonably straightforward. We didn’t have to break out the toolbox or anything crazy like that. It was all adhesive backing, aka peel-and-stick, and the equipment synced up without any trouble. It wasn’t quite as fast an installation as Alder promised – 10 minutes – but half an hour is a respectable amount of time to devote to getting a home security system in place.
Alder Professional Monitoring
Again, Alder makes some pretty bold claims here that it failed to live up to in our hands-on tests. We’re not saying there’s anything especially wrong with Alder’s monitoring. We found, for example, that the company responds to security alerts in around 30 seconds. That’s at least as good as the industry average. The problem is, Alder’s marketing material can sometimes get a little aggressive. Visit the website, for example, and you’ll find a claim that Alder responds to alerts in 3.4 seconds. To be honest, a response time like that would be nothing short of miraculous.
By all means, trust Alder to respond to any emergency in your home and to do so promptly. It’s always a little disconcerting, though, when a company feels the need to exaggerate its statistics, and it always leaves us wondering what else the company might be exaggerating.
Alder Video Doorbell
We’re a bit puzzled by Alder’s current video doorbell offerings. The company used to offer two different doorbells, including the Skybell Video Doorbell (see our Skybell Video Doorbell review for more). That doorbell included features like 1080p HD resolution, a 180-degree field-of-view, and integration capabilities with most industry smart home devices. Visit Alder’s website now, though, and while it lists a video doorbell, clicking on that product will take you nowhere. Video doorbells can be crucial for renters, and we’ll keep an eye on this situation to see how it develops.
Alder Security Cameras
Pro Tip: While you can’t get a video doorbell, Alder’s outdoor security cameras are surprisingly good with 2K resolution that lets you easily identify faces or see license plates, just like you could with a video doorbell. They even give Vivint a run for their money. See how their cameras stack up in our Alder vs Vivint comparison.
Product Specs:
Equipment cost
Packages starting at $360
Monitoring options
Professional
Monitoring cost
Starting at $35 per month
Contract length
36 months
Installation options
Professional or DIY
Smart Platform Integration
Alexa and Google Home
What to Look For in a Home Security System for Renters
SimpliSafe, ADT, Cove, Frontpoint, and Alder are our top-pick security systems for renters. But how exactly did we come to that conclusion? Well, as we said above, we looked at certain factors. These were those factors:
Professional monitoring: While self-monitoring is a great option to have, renters should also consider professional monitoring. Prioritize response times since break-ins tend to happen quickly when criminals target rental properties.
Ease of installation: Generally, easy-to-install home security systems do not require any permanent damage such as drilling holes or rerouting electrical wiring. This is an absolute must for renters.
Video doorbell: Although it’s nice to have for rental homes too, this one is more for apartment dwellers. When you only have one entrance, a video doorbell becomes your main form of exterior surveillance.
Moving fees: As a renter, you’re probably not sure how much longer you’re going to stay in the same place. So, make sure to avoid any company with moving fees since moving isn’t always your decision.
Equipment pricing: You don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on equipment. Even if you can bring the equipment with you to your next spot, you’ll probably need to change a couple components. Look for a system with low enough pricing to let you do just that.
Reputable company: Of course, you want a company you can count on. Whether you’re using your money-back guarantee or sending out a piece of equipment for warranty repairs, a company with a good reputation makes each step of the way a whole lot easier.
Expert Examined
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
I always recommend purchasing a home security system with a quality siren of 100+ dB (makes a lot of noise when tripped). Burglars hate to be noticed, so as soon as that alarm is tripped and the ear-piercing sound rings through the complex or neighborhood, most burglars leave the scene.
Can I Get Professional Installation for a Home Security System in My Apartment?
In our experience, most apartment complexes prefer professional installation over DIY installation. When you bring in the professionals, your landlord gets a level of assurance that the system will get installed without any collateral damage. With a DIY install, landlords and property managers worry about holes in the wall that are difficult to patch. As a tenant, messing with the wiring in a doorbell is a whole other level of concern for landlords.
SimpliSafe, our top-pick for renters, offers both professional and DIY installation; we opted for the latter.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with an easy DIY security system, like ADT Self Setup. You don’t need to change any wiring or even pick up a tool from your toolbox. Everything is peel-and-stick adhesives, just like putting up a command strip. That’s why it made our list of the best DIY home security systems.
Is Professional Monitoring Worth It for Renters?
Let’s face it, when you rent a home or apartment, you may not have as much in your home to steal and don’t really care that much about vandalism. That’s a problem for your property manager to deal with. So, should you even bother with professional monitoring for your rental’s security system? Well, here are a few reasons you might want to consider professional monitoring:
You own expensive jewelry and store it in your apartment.
Going out of town is a regular part of your life, so you won’t be able to check alerts.
You like being able to leave your phone behind.
You’re a huge true-crime fan and regularly get anxious about intruders.
Okay, that last one is a bit of a joke, but it’s true for me. There are plenty of reasons a renter could benefit from professional monitoring.
There are also other factors to consider, like which state you live in and what type of property you’re renting. For example:
In our study about crime in the U.S., Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Louisiana had the highest property crime rates with a high of 3,356 property crimes per 100,000 residents. If there's a high crime rate in your state, you should strongly consider professional monitoring.
A recent survey by Cloudastructure1 shows that more than 80 percent of property managers believe that crime rates in multifamily dwellings like apartment complexes are up. And indeed, it is harder to secure your unit when hundreds of people have access to your building.
We also learned from our burglary research that 57-percent of burglaries involve forcible entry. That’s more likely to happen if your front door is away from high-traffic areas, which is the case in apartment complexes. Majority of burglaries also happen during the day, which is when neighbors are most likely away at work.
Ultimately, it’s your call whether to get professional monitoring or not. But for most people, it is the safest route.
Are Tenants Allowed to Install a Security System?
Generally speaking, tenants can install a security system at the place they rent. However, you won’t be able to put outdoor security cameras up anywhere outside of the space you rent. We always recommend checking with your landlord to see what areas you can install equipment.
We tested a SimpliSafe indoor camera with a privacy shutter to protect your privacy.
Also, check through your lease before buying anything. Make sure there are no clauses against video recording equipment. While recording in your own apartment should never be an issue, if one of your indoor cameras can see through a window into someone else's apartment, it could become one. Basically, just use common sense and always ask your landlord first to avoid any potential fees taken off your security deposit when you leave.
At the end of the day, which security system is best for you really depends on the property or apartment you’re renting. In some spots, changing out the current doorbell with SimpliSafe’s Video Doorbell Pro won’t be an issue. Your maintenance guy might even help you with the replacement. Other landlords and property managers will entirely deny your request to make even the smallest modifications.
No matter what though, you deserve to be safe in your own home, whether that’s an apartment, condo, or rental home. And if that means installing a home security system, there are always solutions out there that will still comply with your lease.
FAQs
Want to know even more about the best home security systems for apartments? Check out our FAQs below.
All in all, we like SimpliSafe the most. But, we’d recommend ADT or Frontpoint if you can’t replace your current doorbell with SimpliSafe’s video doorbell. And if you want to pay for your equipment through a monthly fee, go with Alder.
As long as you don’t cause any damage while installing your home security system, it shouldn’t cause an issue with your deposit. Just remember to make any necessary fixes before leaving after taking down your equipment.
It’s always a bit riskier signing up for a long-term home security contract as a tenant instead of a homeowner. That’s one of the reasons SimpliSafe is our favorite for renters. But, signing a long-term contract isn’t always bad and you can usually move your system with you for a fee of $100 to $200 for most systems.
Even though we really like Vivint as a home security system, we don’t recommend it for renters. Between its contracts that start at 42 months and the hefty relocation fee, Vivint is made more for people who have hunkered down and plan to live the next 10 to 20 years in the same home.
When you don’t own the place, unfortunately, landlords can generally put rules in place that would prevent you from installing a security system. In practice, most would rather their tenants have a security system. So, it shouldn’t be an issue, but you should still check your lease before buying a system.
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As a home security expert and Managing Editor for SafeHome.org, Rob Gabriele has written and edited over 1,000 articles related to home security. His expertise is in smart home protection with thousands of hours of testing and research under his belt. Formerly a reporter and producer for the USAToday network, Rob has been a writer and editor for over 10 years. He holds a Master’s of Science with an emphasis on writing from the University of Montana, and he currently lives in Indianapolis, IN.
It was as easy as plugging in the hub, setting up a master code, mounting some sensors, and installing the cameras. There was no need to drill holes in the wall or mess around with the internal wiring. Most devices are battery-powered or plug into a socket, and the sensors stick to the wall with adhesives.
