If you have just moved into a new apartment or have found the perfect place and are about to move in, the next step for many is to make that space really feel like home. Simple touches like hanging up family photos, adding carpet and curtains, and more can really make a space feel like it’s your own but, what if you want to add some smart “home” tech to your apartment? Just because it’s colloquially known as “smart home” technology doesn’t mean renters and apartment dwellers can’t take advantage of these solutions and the benefits they provide. In fact, there are many solutions available today, such as those available from abode, with features that make them perfect for renters. Here are the main features to be on the lookout for:
Wireless Connectivity
For renters, wireless is key and a must-have feature. The security and connected systems of old were all hardwired and professionally installed leaving those renting property disconnected and unprotected unless they could convince a landlord to approve the installation. To make matters worse, even if a landlord approved an installation at the request of their tenant, that system is rooted to that location and could never move with the tenant if they decided to relocate.
Today, completely wireless solutions, like those from abode, have been designed to be simple and easy to install – often times in 15 minutes or less – by renters and do not need landlord approval because all of the sensors that connect to the system do so wirelessly. A wireless system from abode does not require any hardwiring throughout the house or apartment you’re renting and, if and when you decide to move, can be packed up with the rest of your belongs and re-installed in your new place to provide security and smart home connectivity wherever you go.
Flexible Plans
Not everyone’s home security or smart home needs are the same which is why it is important to select a system that best fits your unique needs and can grow with you. When selecting a system, it is important to be on the lookout for solutions that “lock” customers into long term contracts. Smart home security provider abode, for example, provides customers with different tiers of monthly and annual plans to ensure customers build a customized system that best fit their needs. abode offers a totally free plan which allows renters to monitor their system completely on their own right from their smartphone or, should they wish, renters can add features such as 4G cellular back up and professional monitoring through abode’s “connect” and “secure” plans which can also be cancelled at any time.
If you’re on the fence about add-ons such as professional monitoring or cellular back up, abode offers these services on-demand for 3-days or 7-days which are ideal for those times renters are going away for a long weekend or vacation. There is no cookie-cutter solution for smart home security and each renters’ needs are different which is why it is important to find a solution that offers a wide variety of plans and features that best suit your lifestyle.
Access to an Ecosystem
Many of the systems available today use proprietary protocols to communicate between the hub and the connected sensors. While this is often done to ensure the system works as intended, the downside is that customers can unknowingly get “locked” into an ecosystem that does not support or offer the types of devices they would like to add-on down the road. For example, if leak detection is a feature you know you’d want within a system but the system you purchased does not offer a leak detector, or support a third-party leak detector, customers could be out of luck.
Seek out solutions capable of speaking the multiple “languages” of the smart home and that have access to a wide ecosystem of products and devices that can augment your smart home security system and provide you with the features you know you want. abode’s solutions for example, leverage abodeRF (a proprietary long-range, power-savvy protocol) and other popular communication protocols such as Z-Wave and Zigbee to open their solution up to thousands of additional products from various manufacturers, covering all different categories including lighting, appliances, heating and cooling, smart locks, and more.
Renting a home or an apartment should not exclude you from taking advantage of all the benefits that smart home security system can provide. In many cases, installing smart home security equipment that helps you keep an eye on your rental and safeguard against events such as flooding or fire can even save you money on your renters insurance. Flexible and easy-to-install solutions, such as those from abode, are a perfect example of the technology available today to renters.
If you look for systems with the three features listed above, you’ll be well on your way to adding an additional layer of security and convenience to your next (or current!) rental.
