Smart home tech for renters — from locks to lighting, 9 great upgrades that will improve your life without annoying your landlord

If you rent, you need to be careful not to make any permanent changes to your landlord’s property, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on smart home tech, though, because there’s now a great selection of devices that require no drilling or screws, and that you can simply pick up and take with you when you move.

For example, there are smart locks that fit over your existing door handles and rotate the lock mechanism using an app, PIN, or fingerprint. They can be installed in minutes, and won’t annoy your landlord. Want smart blinds? There are devices that attach to the pole or track, allowing you to open and close them remotely, on a schedule, or when a sensor is triggered. Easy peasy.

There are also mini robot vacuums specifically designed for small homes, which can fit into tighter spaces and have much smaller docks than average, and solar smart lights that you can use without any power cables.

Read on for a list of the best smart home devices for renters, which I’ve picked as an apartment-dweller myself. Some devices are only available in certain regions, so you’ll only see those that are sold where you are.

Smart tech for renters

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Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor, covering smart home tech, kitchen appliances, vacuums, haircare and more. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights, find your ideal hair styler, or pick the espresso machine of your dreams, she’s the right person to help.