Best Security Setup for Renters (No Lease Violations)
SecurityCompass HQ
April 1, 2025 · 5 min read
The renter's starting point
Renters need portable, no-permanent-installation security systems that can move with them. The best setup: a SimpliSafe alarm system with adhesive door sensors + a battery-powered Ring doorbell at your front door. Both are fully removable, require no contracts, and cost under $400 combined.
The renter's security checklist
- ✓ No drilling required (or minimal — small screws in door frames are usually allowed)
- ✓ No long-term contract with the equipment or monitoring provider
- ✓ Fully portable — you can take everything with you when you move
- ✓ Doesn't permanently modify the property (no hardwiring cameras, no wired doorbells without landlord approval)
The best renter setup, step by step
Step 1 — Alarm sensors
SimpliSafe Essential Kit (~$200–$250)
Door sensors use adhesive strips (3M Command style) and do not require drilling. The base station sits on a shelf or table — no wall mounting needed. If you move, peel off the sensors and reuse them at the new address. Month-to-month monitoring optional at $9.99–$19.99/month.
Step 2 — Front door camera
Ring Video Doorbell (battery) (~$60–$100)
The battery-powered Ring doorbell mounts with a small bracket that attaches to the door frame with two small screws — not to the wall. Most leases allow small screw holes in door frames. If yours doesn't, a no-drill mount exists that uses an existing doorbell screw hole or clips over a door. Fully portable when you move.
Optional Step 3 — Indoor camera
Ring Indoor Cam or SimpliSafe Indoor Camera (~$50–$80)
Plugs into any outlet. No mounting required — can sit on a shelf or TV stand. Useful for apartment or studio renters who want unit-level visibility without exterior camera restrictions.
What to check before installing anything
- Read your lease — specifically the modification clause. Most leases allow small adhesive mounts and small door-frame screws.
- Ask your landlord if unsure — specifically about doorbell cameras and external cameras. Most landlords approve internal cameras and doorbells without objection.
- Document the condition of any mount surfaces — take a photo before installing anything so you can prove any marks were pre-existing.
What renters should avoid
- Hardwired doorbells without landlord approval — these require existing wiring to be used or modified
- Outdoor cameras mounted in the building's exterior walls — this almost always requires landlord permission
- Long-term security contracts — you may need to move before the term ends
- Cameras that capture shared spaces (hallways, shared yards) — this creates privacy and lease issues
→ Package theft prevention guide for renters
→ Why SimpliSafe is our top pick for renters
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