Even if you rent, you can still have a smart phone
1. If it plugs into a wall (smart outlet, Alexa, etc) shouldn’t be a problem
2. If it needs to be mounted on a wall (i.e. OTA antenna or motion sensor)
a. Check lease/rental agreement to see what you are responsible for in terms of wall damage or repainting
b. If the device in question comes double sided sticky tape for mounting, thing about 3M Command strips instead. Has good holding power and not supposed to leave a mark when removed.
3. Garage Door
a. Unless the device supports smart home integration and the owners manual is available, to integrate this with your smart home setup might a challenge
b. The systems I am aware of connect to the garage door via labeled contacts on the back of the garage door
c. Another option is the connect to the terminals on the back of the garage door button pressed to open/close the door
d. Depending on the type of inspections done by the landlord on a periodic basis, they might notice the extra wiring, etc.
e. Depending on how to connect the Garage Door controller to the interface to your smart home, there is a possibility of damage to the controller or the interface both
4. Door Bell
a. Doorbells such as Sky and Ring require mounting directly to a door frame or studs that will require holes for the screws that wont be easy to hide when you remove it
b. This might be another one of those categories that might not be possible depending on the landlord
5. Lights
a. As you remove the bulbs present when you moved in, it might be a good idea to put them in a box labeled “Landlord bulbs”. That when if/when you do move out, you can put the back and get your smart bulbs collected at the same time.
b. Depending on the bulbs you remove to put in your smart bulbs, it might not hurt to label the bulb where it was when you removed it so that you can pub the exact bulb back where it was. Depending on how picky the landlord or landlord agent it, this might save a little grief on the moving out inspection usually done before you get your deposit back.
6. Smart Outlets/Switches
a. Since some of these need to be installed, definitely read the lease/rental agreement closely to see what is allowed
b. May be required to use an electrician authorized by landlord
c. May have to consider SmartOutlets that plug into an existing outlet
d. There are some Smartswitches that overlay an existing switch
7. Security cameras
a. This is one of the definite categories
b. Definitely for internal security if nothing else
c. If renting a home, you can easily use them for external security of any doors to the house
8. Smoke Detectors/Carbon Monoxide Detector
a. Depending on where you live, local codes may require these to be installed in rental property
b. Both of the options listed here can work with a smarthome
c. Should be able to mount them on a wall using the 3M Command Strips mentioned earlier
================================================
*** Show Notes, Links and Resources ****
Here are the items mentioned in this video –
3M Command strips
https://amzn.to/2AlPOxg
First Alert SA511CN2-3ST (Smoke Alarm Only)
https://amzn.to/2NR5v1o
First Alert SCO501CN-3ST Battery Operated Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm
https://amzn.to/2uYqyrV
Switchmate Snap-On Instant Smart Light Switch
https://amzn.to/2LNf04m
There is a different version for rocker type wall switches
EZVIZ Mini O 720p HD Wi-Fi Home Video
https://amzn.to/2L93uQu
Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera
https://amzn.to/2L6Y5tY
LIFX Mini White (A19) Wi-Fi Smart LED
https://amzn.to/2M5ImZ6
Wemo Mini Smart Plug, Wi-Fi Enabled, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
https://amzn.to/2NgzMqd
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