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This guide is specifically for renters. Most security advice assumes you own your home. Every product and tactic here is filtered for three renter constraints: no permanent wall or floor modifications, portability when you move, and lease compliance. Nothing on this page requires landlord permission to install.
Know What Your Landlord Is Already Required to Provide
Before buying a single product, audit what you are legally owed. Most tenants overspend on security because they don't know these baseline rights.
Landlord is required to provide
- Working deadbolt on every exterior door
- Working locks on ground-floor & accessible windows
- Working smoke alarms (installed & maintained)
- Re-keying between tenants (most states)
- Repair of broken locks within a reasonable time
- Exterior lighting in common areas (most states)
Landlord is NOT required to provide
- A security or alarm system
- Security cameras (unit or building)
- Smart locks or keyless entry
- Carbon monoxide detectors (most states)
- Doorbell or intercom upgrades
- Package theft prevention
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Broken lock? Email your landlord documenting the issue and date. Give 5 business days. If not resolved, call your city's 311 line or housing code enforcement — a non-functional deadbolt is a habitability violation in nearly every US state, not a favor you're asking for.
The Complete Renter Security Stack
Five layers of protection, ordered by impact. Start at Layer 1 and work down. Everything here is portable — it all moves with you.
🏃 Starter
~$80
- Door jammer / security bar
- Window & sliding door pins
- 2 window/door alarms
- Free password manager
⭐ Recommended
~$350
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- SimpliSafe 8-piece system
- August smart lock adapter
- 1 indoor security camera
- Bitwarden + 2FA app
🔒 Full Coverage
~$650
- Everything Recommended, plus:
- Battery video doorbell
- 1 outdoor wireless camera
- VPN subscription
- Renters insurance policy
Roughly 70% of forced entries come through the front door via kick-in (FBI Crime Data). These fixes stop that — and cost almost nothing.
Best Buy
Door Security Bar (e.g. Master Lock 265DCCSEN)
~$25
No tools needed
Works on any door
Moves with you
Adjustable steel bar braces your door from the inside, resting against the floor. Makes kick-in nearly impossible. Works on front doors, bedroom doors, and sliding glass doors. The highest ROI security purchase a renter can make — and it takes 5 seconds to install or remove.
Also Do This
Sliding Door Track Bar + Window Security Pins
Under $15
No modifications
A cut-down wooden dowel (free, from any hardware store) or adjustable bar in the sliding door track prevents the door from being forced open. For windows, a simple pin pushed through the lower frame into the upper frame costs $2 and prevents the window from being opened from outside. Do this on all ground-floor and accessible windows today.
Smart Upgrade
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock — Installs Over Your Existing Deadbolt
~$80
10-min install
No landlord approval needed
Leaves zero trace
The August Smart Lock clips onto your existing interior deadbolt thumb-turn. You keep your original keyed lock — August just adds keyless entry, auto-lock, and access logs via the app. No replacement of the actual lock mechanism, so no landlord permission required. Removes cleanly when you leave. Works on standard US single-cylinder deadbolts.
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Security window film (3M Safety Series, ~$30/roll) doesn't prevent glass from breaking but holds it in place when it does — denying fast entry. Applied with soap water directly to glass, removes cleanly. Worth doing on any ground-floor window without a second lock.
Renter-appropriate alarm systems use wireless sensors with adhesive mounting. They peel off cleanly from most painted surfaces and reinstall in your next apartment the same day.
#1 for Renters
SimpliSafe — Built for Apartment Life
From $199 (8-piece kit)
$19.99/mo monitoring
No contract
Cellular backup
Designed to move
SimpliSafe is the only major alarm system explicitly designed and marketed for relocation. Sensors use 3M VHB adhesive that removes without marking most painted drywall. When you move: peel off sensors, replace them in the original foam packaging, reinstall in your new place. Monitoring continues — no new contract, no interruption. Cellular backup means it keeps working even if someone cuts your cable or Wi-Fi. Our #1 renter pick three years running.
Also Good
Ring Alarm — Best if You Already Have Ring Cameras
$199 (5-piece kit)
$10/mo monitoring
No contract
Wi-Fi only (no cellular)
Ring Alarm uses adhesive mounting and is renter-friendly. Strong if you're already in the Ring camera ecosystem — everything integrates. Key limitation: Ring uses Wi-Fi only. If your internet goes down or someone cuts your line, monitoring drops. SimpliSafe's cellular backup is a meaningful advantage for renters who may have less secure building internet.
Budget Pick
Standalone Door & Window Alarms — No System Required
$15–25 for a 4-pack
No subscription
Adhesive
Individual magnetic contact alarms (like the GE Personal Security set) emit a loud 120dB alarm when a window or door is opened. No hub, no app, no subscription. Adhesive-mounted. Not a monitoring system, but loud deterrence for $20 total. Solid for renters in low-risk areas who just want noise deterrence.
Cameras do two things: deter opportunistic crime and give you evidence if something happens. All three options below require no permanent installation.
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Indoor (freestanding)
The Eufy Indoor Cam 2K and Blink Mini sit on any flat surface — no mounting. Plug in, point at the entry. Unplug when you move. From $35. Ideal for facing your front door from inside.
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Outdoor (wireless, adhesive)
Arlo Pro 4 and Eufy SoloCam E40 are battery-powered and mount via an adhesive magnetic base — no screws into brick or stucco. 6–12 month battery life. Check your lease before mounting to building exterior.
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Video doorbell (battery)
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus mounts using an adhesive bracket beside or above your door — no wiring. If your door has a peephole, the Ring Door View Cam replaces it directly and removes cleanly when you leave.
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Before installing outdoor cameras: Most leases don't prohibit adhesive-mounted cameras, but some require landlord approval for anything on the building exterior. A quick email — "I'm installing a battery-powered wireless camera using an adhesive mount, no drilling" — takes 30 seconds, gets documented approval, and virtually every landlord says yes.
Renters are more exposed digitally than homeowners in one key way: shared building Wi-Fi, thin walls, and frequent moves create more network risk. These three steps close it.
Free · Do This Now
Password Manager — Bitwarden (Free) or 1Password ($3/mo)
Free or $3/mo
Biggest single upgrade
Laptop + phone
If your laptop is stolen, a password manager means the thief can't access a single account — even with your device. Bitwarden is fully free and open source. 1Password adds dark web monitoring and a travel mode that hides sensitive vaults. Takes 15 minutes to set up and migrate your passwords.
10 Minutes · Huge Impact
Two-Factor Authentication — Enable on Every Important Account
Free apps available
Blocks 99.9% of automated attacks
Enable 2FA on your email, banking, and social accounts before anything else. TOTP apps like Aegis (Android, free) or Raivo OTP (iOS, free) are more secure than SMS. If you use 1Password, it has a built-in TOTP generator. Starts with email — if someone owns your email, they own everything else.
For Shared Networks
VPN — Essential if You Use Shared Building Wi-Fi
From $3/mo
Protects on public & shared networks
If your building has shared Wi-Fi, or you work from coffee shops and libraries, a VPN encrypts your traffic so others on the same network can't intercept it. Mullvad ($5/mo, no-logs) and NordVPN ($3–4/mo, student discounts) are our top picks for renters. Not needed if you have your own private router.
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57% of renters have no renters insurance (Insurance Information Institute). The average policy costs $15–20/month for $30,000 in personal property coverage — roughly the cost of a streaming subscription.
What it covers
- Theft of personal property (laptop, phone, jewelry)
- Theft from your car, hotel room, or storage unit
- Personal liability if someone is injured in your unit
- Loss of use (hotel costs if unit is uninhabitable)
- Some policies: identity theft restoration
What it does NOT cover
- The building structure (landlord's responsibility)
- Flood damage (requires separate policy)
- Earthquake damage (separate endorsement)
- Your vehicle (that's auto insurance)
- High-value jewelry/art above policy limits
Shopping tip: Always choose replacement value over actual cash value — it pays what the item costs new, not what it's worth used. Check your electronics limit separately; many base policies cap electronics at $1,500–2,000 which won't cover a laptop + phone + tablet. Get quotes from Lemonade (fast app-based claims), State Farm, or GEICO.
Moving In or Moving Out — Security Checklist
The first 48 hours in a new unit are when you're most vulnerable. These items in order:
Confirm landlord re-keyed since previous tenant (or request it in writing)
Test every exterior deadbolt — if it doesn't work, document and report immediately
Install door security bar on front door
Add window pins or track bar to sliding doors
Test smoke alarm — replace battery if needed
Locate main circuit breaker and water shutoff
Install indoor camera facing entry
Set up SimpliSafe — reinstall sensors from your last unit
Update renters insurance address immediately
Photo-document all your belongings for insurance
Set up mail forwarding — stolen mail is identity theft risk
Secure your router with a unique password (not the factory default)
Talking to Your Landlord About Security
Some upgrades — better exterior lighting, intercom improvements, building camera coverage — genuinely require landlord involvement. Here's how to get a yes:
1
Frame it as mutual benefit
"A motion-sensor light over the parking area would benefit all tenants and potentially reduce your liability exposure if there's ever an incident." Landlords respond to property value and liability — not tenant comfort.
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Reference documented local incidents
If there have been break-ins nearby, mention them specifically. Pull crime data from your city's crime map if available. Documented local risk is a concrete reason, not a subjective concern.
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Know whether you're making a request or citing a legal obligation
A broken deadbolt is not a favor — it's a habitability violation you're entitled to have fixed. Don't ask for what you're owed. For genuine upgrades (better lighting, new cameras), then you're making a request — and offering to share costs often gets a yes.
Related Situations
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a security system without telling my landlord?
For wireless, adhesive-mounted systems like SimpliSafe or Ring Alarm, you generally don't need landlord permission — they involve no permanent modifications. Check your lease for any explicit prohibition (rare, but some leases require approval for any security device). Installing a wired system or anything requiring drilling without permission could trigger a lease violation. When in doubt, a quick email creates a paper trail and almost always gets approval.
Will the August Smart Lock void my lease?
The August (and similar adapter-style smart locks) clips onto your existing deadbolt thumb-turn without replacing the lock mechanism itself — you're not modifying anything permanently. This almost certainly doesn't violate a standard lease. A smart lock that replaces your actual deadbolt is different: your landlord may want a copy of the new key, and your lease may require their approval. Adapter-style installs: no problem. Deadbolt replacements: ask first.
My landlord won't fix my broken door lock. What can I do?
In virtually every US state, a functional deadbolt is a landlord's legal responsibility. If they're not responding: (1) send a written email documenting the request and date; (2) give a 5 business day deadline; (3) file a complaint with your city's 311 line or housing code enforcement. In some states you have "repair and deduct" rights — hire a licensed locksmith and deduct the cost from rent after proper written notice. Contact a local tenant rights organization for state-specific options.
Is a security system worth it if I'm only renting short-term?
SimpliSafe is explicitly designed to move with you — the sensors peel off and reinstall in your next unit. The hardware cost ($200–300) is a one-time purchase across all future apartments. Monitoring is month-to-month with no contract. Even on a 6-month lease, the protection during that period usually justifies the cost, and you take the system with you when you leave.
Do I need renters insurance if I don't own much?
Most people dramatically underestimate what they own. Add up your laptop, phone, TV, bike, furniture, and clothing — it typically totals $15,000–30,000 or more. At $15–20/month, renters insurance covers all of that against theft (even outside your home), plus personal liability if a guest is injured. The liability coverage alone — which can reach $100,000 — is worth the premium if a visitor slips and sues.
Can I use a video doorbell in an apartment with a shared hallway?
Yes, but check your lease and local laws. Recording in a shared hallway is legal in most US states (one-party consent applies to your own property interests), but some leases prohibit exterior-facing cameras without approval. Battery-powered doorbells are the easiest path — no wiring, adhesive mount, and easy to remove. The Ring Door View Cam replaces your peephole entirely and records only your door area, which is typically the cleanest option for apartment doors.