Can I Install A Ring Doorbell On Rented Property? (UK)

If you’re currently renting your home and want to get a Ring doorbell installed for home security, you may be wondering whether or not you will be allowed to. Today, I’m going to cover some of the options available to you as a renter and whether or not you are allowed to install a smart doorbell if your are renting a property.

The short answer is yes by the way! There are quite a few options for installing a Ring Doorbell in a rented property, even if you aren’t allowed to do any wiring at all. Luckily they make both wired and wireless options depending on your preferences, and naturally the wireless version is the one to go for if you want to stay in your landlord’s good books.

Some Ring Doorbells Are Battery Powered – No Holes Needed!

One major concern you may have as a renter installing a Ring doorbell is whether it is necessary to drill holes in the property to install one, as this is a huge downside for many. Landlords may not like the idea of this, and it could be difficult to explain during a routine property inspection if you install one without mentioning it. Some Ring Doorbells do require wiring in, such as the Ring doorbell elite since it runs off of power supplied via a cable. This is likely not allowed in your rental property. Luckily, the Ring Doorbell (2nd Gen) is battery powered, meaning no holes or wiring work is necessary to get one installed on your front door.

Opting for a battery powered smart doorbell is the most sensible option, and is what a vast majority of renters opt for. Not only is it cheaper and more landlord friendly, due to not needing to wire it up, but it is also most appropriate if you are a short term renter and plan on moving fairly soon.

What Is The Best Ring Doorbell For Renters?

My personal favourite option for a security camera doorbell being installed on a rented property is this, the 2nd Generation Ring Doorbell. It still records in great quality and has all the functionality you would expect, but with a less premium price point. It depends on your financial situation and priorities, but most people agree that the Ring Doorbell 2 for around £90 is the sweet spot, unless you have some more specific needs.

This camera is also compatible with Ring solar panels, so you can actually power it using solar power too if you wish.

How Do I Fit A Wireless Ring Doorbell Without Screws?

Fitting a battery powered Ring to your rented property without any drilling is a complete breeze. It may as well be a picture frame. All you need to do is buy a no-drill mounting plate which is compatible with the version you have. These mounting plates replace screws with a strong adhesive.

Instead of having to drill into your landlord’s property, a no-drill mounting plate allows you to fit the Ring doorbell using just adhesive. Don’t worry, the doorbell itself isn’t stuck to the door, only the mount is. This means you can easily take the camera off if you need to.

Check the details of your tenancy first, but you will most likely find that adhesives are approved for use. For example, I wasn’t allowed to bang nails into the wall to hang artwork, but the landlord was happy for us to use adhesive hooks instead. This is quite a common rule in the UK and elsewhere.

To Install a wireless doorbell without screws, simply fit a no-drill mounting plate next to / on the door, and clip the camera in. Simple as that. Make sure you have connected the camera to the Wi-Fi first, otherwise you will need to unclip it and set it up.

Is The Wireless Ring Doorbell Easier To Steal?

If you live in a busy town or city, there is a chance vandals or thieves may decide that trying to steal your doorbell is a great idea. There is a solution for this though. There are a wide range of anti-theft mounts which you can contain your Ring doorbell within, such as this no-drill anti theft mount.

These are more expensive than the standard no drill mount, but if having your wireless doorbell stolen is a concern of yours, then it’s definitely worth considering. Most anti theft mounts work by gripping the edge of your door, creating a harness for the doorbell. This mount should also be safe for you to use in a rented property, because it doesn’t require any screws to fit either.

In all honesty though, unless you live in an area with very high crime rates this shouldn’t be an issue. Thieves tend to not like being recorded doing crimes.

Do I Have To Tell My Landlord I Have Installed A Smart Doorbell?

I would personally say yes if you decide to go for a wired smart doorbell. The wiring work as well as potentially making drill holes in the front of the property are definitely things a landlord would want a say in. Speak to them and see whether they are happy with this, or whether they would prefer you go for the wireless option.

It is actually in their best interest to help prevent vandalism and burglary of their property, so you will likely find many landlords will happily let you install a wired smart doorbell system, if you are willing to pay for it.

How Long Does The Battery Life Last On A Wireless Ring Doorbell?

The battery life of a wireless Ring Doorbell will depend on how often motion is detected. For a typical household, expect the battery to need charging every 2-3 weeks or so. The battery is easily chargeable by unclipping it and charging via micro USB. You can also buy extra batteries so that you aren’t left without a working doorbell whilst you wait for it to charge.

You don’t need to take the doorbell off completely – you can use a torx driver (included in the box) to remove a screw, allowing you to pop open the camera and take the battery out.

This means you can also use the doorbell on sheds and garages with no easy mains connection available, which is always useful.

Conclusion – You Can Install A Wireless Video Doorbell If You Are Renting A Property.

Thanks to the built in batteries in many Ring Doorbell models, such as the 2nd Generation Ring Doorbell and Ring Video Doorbell 3, it isn’t absolutely necessary to drill holes or screw anything in to fit a smart camera doorbell to your rented property. Opting for a wireless setup to secure your home as opposed to wired should keep both you and your landlord happy.

The best options for mounting a wireless video doorbell include mounting it using an anti theft door mount, which simply grips onto the door, or using an adhesive based mount.