Best Security Setup for Renters (No Lease Violations) | SecurityCompass HQ

Written by SecurityCompass HQ | Mar 28, 2026 2:38:09 PM
Home / Blog / Security for Renters

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.

Full SimpliSafe review →

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.

Full Ring review →

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

  1. Read your lease — specifically the modification clause. Most leases allow small adhesive mounts and small door-frame screws.
  2. Ask your landlord if unsure — specifically about doorbell cameras and external cameras. Most landlords approve internal cameras and doorbells without objection.
  3. 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

→ Get a personalized security plan →

Affiliate disclosure: SecurityCompassHQ earns commissions from some links on this page. Commissions do not influence our recommendations or scores. See full disclosure and methodology →

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