By Scott Westerlund and Shamontiel L. Vaughn
Stories of home invasions and robberies on the nightly news don't exactly make for sweet dreams. Renters sometimes feel like they are at a disadvantage when it comes to home safety because they don't have full control of their environments. Luckily, digital and portable home security systems are available to help renters keep an eye on things.
Can Tenants Install Home Security Systems?
Tenants generally have the right to use a security system in their residence unless their leases specifically forbid it. Stipulations that are beyond a landlord's control can sometimes muddy the situation. In Florida, a tenant renting a property that is part of a condo association may be limited by Florida Statute 718.113(2)(a) that prevents what the law calls "material alteration or substantial additions to the common elements or to real property which is association property" without association approval.
In 2020, a Florida judge ruled that a Ring device qualifies as a "material alteration" that violates this statute. Tenants within condo associations will need to ask their landlord to get permission from the board before installing any security device.
Things to Consider When Installing a Security Device
While a lease may permit the use of personal security systems, other stipulations could pose problems. If a lease has a clause restricting tenants from drilling holes into walls and surfaces, this could conflict with installing a security system. Tenants can sometimes be cleared by their landlords when they ask permission. However, tenants should be prepared to face fees or loss of a portion of a security deposit if holes are left behind when they move out.
Tenants should also ensure that their security setups are compliant with the privacy rules outlined in a lease. For example, camera and audio systems that can pick up audio and video from neighboring doors could violate privacy rules. The fix for this could be as simple as adjusting settings to make sensors less sensitive. In addition, fixing a camera to a door's peephole can help to sidestep privacy issues by restricting surveillance to what a tenant can see under ordinary circumstances.
When installing a doorbell security system, tenants should speak with their landlords to confirm that this choice is in compliance with a lease agreement. While doorbell security systems do technically alter the appearance of a residence, landlords may be likely to approve security doorbells as long as a tenant promises to replace the original doorbell before moving out at the end of the lease.
Landlords with strong opposition to dealing with cosmetic changes created by security systems may specifically ban all forms of audio and visual surveillance in lease agreements.
Tenants with questions about how their systems fit into a lease agreement can ask their landlords to refer them to an approved handyman to install the system to ensure that it meets all requirements.
When Security Systems Won't Make Much of a Difference
If tenants are installing a security system to catch a landlord entering their property, this "proof" may not make much of a difference. Nearly all states grant landlords access to tenant units. In Florida, landlords may enter the rental unit at any time for the protection or preservation of the premises. While a reasonable notice window of 12 hours is required prior to entry, tenants cannot unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter from time to time for inspections.
Landlords can also enter without reasonable notice in cases of emergency situations or extended tenant absences. Texas does not have any statute in place for the notice period required for landlord emergency or non-emergency cases.
As part of a legal right to enter a unit, a landlord generally also has a legal right to any security codes that are necessary for entry. Some leases contain contractual obligations for tenants to provide security codes.
The Best Security Doorbell Features for Renters
Wireless, battery-operated doorbell security systems and cameras may be ideal for tenants because they don't require any hardwiring. This removes the need for both structural alterations and electrical permits. The downside is that they may need to be reset manually and in person after an interruption in Internet service.
When working correctly, virtual control ensures that a tenant can turn off a noisy alarm that is set off by something harmless. Otherwise, a landlord may have no choice but to enter a residence if neighbors complain about a loud alarm going off for hours.
As mentioned, peephole cams can be better than devices that mount to doors because they offer a way around privacy concerns. These cameras simply offer continuous monitoring of the view that is naturally available to tenants from inside their residence.
Additionally, no-mount security doorbells can be screwed into a no-drill plate. That means that the original doorbell can be swapped back in with no need for hole filling or caulking when the lease is up, and a security deposit is on its way.
When Smart Security Systems Can Backfire
While sharing administrator access with non-residents should be done sparingly, there’s an argument to be made about why tenants may want to include an emergency contact as the landlord, specifically if the security system stays and the prior residents leave.
In a recent New York Times post, at midnight, one resident got locked into his new home. After the security system announced, “Good night, it’s bedtime,” the doors would not open, all locks secured on their own, the windows were armed and the lights went out.
This was not a malfunctioning system; it was programmed to initiate this way by the prior residents. In this case, it was a new homeowner who purchased the home from a prior owner without control of any security devices. He also had no idea this security system was turned on at all.
The next day, the new owner had to contact his Realtor to get in touch with the prior owner in order to create a guest account. But the manufacturer of the security system confirmed that the new owner would have to install an entirely new system in order to have full administrator access. The owner found it easier to just have mid-level access to avoid the costs.
This example is one of many reasons why landlords may shy away from allowing advanced security systems. If the tenant moves out, the landlord will have to resolve any security glitches with the next tenant.
Overall, tenants should focus on systems featuring no-drill mounts that are easy to control outside of the home. By doing this and making sure the landlord is OK with these upgrades, there will be no room for miscommunication if/when move-out day comes. This also keeps potential conflict with the landlords down while keeping security of the unit up.
Do you want more information about Go4Rent’s services? Are you a Texas or Florida resident looking for a new home? Visit Go4Rent.com today!