Smart home in a rented apartment: you have to consider that

In addition to houses, apartments can also be transformed into a smart home with clever technology. You can find out what you should consider if you live in a rented apartment in our guide.

What is a tenant allowed and not allowed to do?

You are not allowed to make any structural changes in a rented apartment that cannot be undone. When you move out, the apartment must be in its original condition.

So you can exchange conventional radiator thermostats for smart home temperature controllers, since you can screw the old thermostats back on at any time. In contrast, drilling through walls to lay new cables is not permitted. Such a conversion cannot be easily dismantled – and if something goes wrong during the work, your landlord can even demand compensation. You should therefore rely on radio-based smart home solutions in the rented apartment that do not require additional cabling.

Smoke detectors, electricity and water meters can be replaced relatively easily, but tenants should also refrain from doing this: These installations are also a matter for the landlord. A smart home door opener is also not suitable for the rented apartment. Installing it and later removing it is a complicated undertaking. Basically, the following applies to tenants: Better to rely on plug-and-play systems than on fixed installations.

This is how you plan a smart home

The first step is to consider which smart functions are important to you. Are you dreaming of lighting that can be controlled via smartphone or do you want to keep an eye on your heating costs via an app? Would you like to have voice control in your living room that plays your favorite songs for you?

Finding answers to such questions is important in order to Not to be overwhelmed by the variety of smart home products. In addition, it is advisable to pick out only one sub-area and start with it. For example, you can initially focus on smart lighting. During the installation, you are guaranteed to experience some aha moments that will make planning and implementing further projects easier for you.

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The most important smart home areas

Smart home technology can be roughly divided into three areas: security, energy saving and entertainment.

The area security forms smart home technology such as motion detectors, surveillance cameras, alarm sirens and door and window contacts. The smart solutions make it possible to keep an eye on the apartment even when you are away and to be informed by push message on vacation if an unauthorized person tries to gain access.

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Also at Save energy help smart home solutions. In conjunction with door and window contacts, intelligent radiator thermostats automatically regulate the room temperature and turn off the radiator when a window is opened in the room. The outdoor lighting switches on automatically at dusk – or motion detectors ensure that the lamps only come on when needed.

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You can upgrade devices that are actually not Smart Home-enabled with adapter plugs. For example, you can network the coffee machine or the old washing machine and activate it remotely. Of course, you have to put the laundry and washing powder in the washing machine first.

In the division entertainment Voice control can be used to play music, call up sports scores and check the traffic situation, for example. Multi-room music systems, in connection with WLAN speakers and an app, make it possible for every resident to hear their personal favorite songs in their room.

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The complete range of functions of home automation is much larger. This classification is only intended to help you to decide in which direction you want to make your apartment smart. Many manufacturers are bidding for the first smart home equipment starter packs on.

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You should consider this before buying

If you know what your smart home should do, you can start the product search. Before you buy, however, consider that devices from different manufacturers are not necessarily compatible with one another. Check the technical specifications to see if your smart home devices can communicate with each other. You can check this using the supported smart home standards. The most common include, for example, Z-Wave and ZigBee.

Each manufacturer also offers its own apps for controlling its smart home components, which users have to switch between. Alternatively, you can invest in a home base that is compatible with current standards and functions as a central control panel. However, this is only worthwhile if you have several smart home devices in your apartment.

Finally, you should be aware that most plugs, thermostats, and sensors get their power from batteries. Occasionally, the smart components have to be supplied with new energy sources by you.

You have to reckon with these costs

There are hardly any upper price limits for smart home systems. One basic equipment with several controllable elements, assembly material and gateway is available from around 200 to 300 euros.

Simple sets that only contain motion detectors, for example, are available from as little as 90 euros. For this reason, too, it is advisable to start with small equipment. If you like it, you can gradually expand the rental apartment into a complete smart home.

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summary

• In a rented apartment, you are not allowed to make any modifications that change the apartment permanently. Only install devices that you can easily remove again when you move out. Smoke detectors, electricity and water meters are taboo.
• When planning a smart home, you should know which processes you want to automate. Start with a single area or opt for a ready-made starter pack.
• Smart home products are roughly divided into three areas: security, energy saving and entertainment.
• Things to consider when buying: products from different manufacturers are not necessarily compatible, radiator thermostats, etc. require batteries, a home base works as a control center.
• Financially, you should calculate with a smart home basic equipment with 200 to 300 euros.