Home security for renters in the UK is more complicated than for homeowners. You cannot drill into walls without permission, you almost certainly cannot change the locks, and any permanent modifications risk losing your deposit or triggering a breach of tenancy. But that does not mean you are helpless. There is a strong and growing range of renter-friendly security products — portable alarms, adhesive cameras, smart door locks that fit existing cylinders, and window sensors that need no tools at all. This guide explains exactly what the law says, what your landlord’s obligations are, and which products are worth buying.
UK tenancy law creates some clear obligations — and some grey areas. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord is responsible for maintaining the structure and exterior of the property in good repair, which includes doors, windows, and locks. If your front door has a visibly inadequate lock — for example, a single-point latch with no deadbolt — you can reasonably ask your landlord to upgrade it. Landlords are not obliged to install alarm systems, but if you report a security defect in writing and they fail to act, you may have grounds to take action through your local council.
Your tenancy agreement governs what you can install. Most standard AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy) agreements prohibit alterations to the property without written consent. Always request written permission before drilling, installing screws, or making any modification. Verbal permission is difficult to enforce. If your landlord refuses reasonable security upgrades, Which? provides detailed guidance on escalation routes via local councils and the housing ombudsman.
The good news is that a large number of effective security products require no permanent fixings. Here are the best categories to consider.
DIY alarm systems like the Ring Alarm and Yale Smart Home Alarm use adhesive magnetic contacts for door and window sensors, requiring no drilling. The base station sits on a shelf and communicates wirelessly with all sensors. If you move, you simply peel the sensors off and take everything with you. These systems are self-monitored via an app, though optional professional monitoring is available for an additional fee.
Ring Alarm starter kit (1 base station, 1 contact sensor, 1 motion sensor, 1 keypad, 1 range extender) costs around £179 and covers a one-bedroom flat comfortably. The Yale Smart Home Alarm starter kit begins at around £159 and is similarly expandable. See our detailed comparison of the Yale vs Ring Alarm systems if you are deciding between the two.
Video doorbells are ideal for renters because they typically replace an existing doorbell button and need only a small screwdriver. Models like the Ring Video Doorbell (battery-powered) and Eufy Video Doorbell E340 use rechargeable batteries and can be fitted without wiring. A single screw into the door frame — which a landlord is unlikely to object to — holds the mount in place. If even that is an issue, wedge mounts are available that fit without any fixing at all.
Note that in a block of flats, you typically share a communal entrance and cannot install a doorbell on the front door. In that case, a door sensor on your flat’s internal front door combined with an indoor camera in the hallway gives similar coverage.
Battery-powered outdoor cameras like the Arlo Pro 5S and Ring Spotlight Cam Battery can be mounted using adhesive pads or command strips on a range of surfaces, avoiding drilling. Adhesive mounts are rated for most brick and render surfaces, though results vary. For a more secure non-permanent option, some cameras can be positioned on shelves, windowsills, or plant pot holders without any wall fixings. For indoor use, a camera on a shelf or TV unit requires no installation at all.
Most smart locks replace the entire lock cylinder or door handle — which counts as a modification requiring landlord consent. However, some smart locks work differently. The Yale Linus and Nuki Smart Lock Pro are retrofit devices that fit over your existing euro cylinder thumbturn on the inside of the door, leaving the existing lock intact and fully functional. You do not need permission to use these — they are entirely reversible and require no tools beyond a screwdriver for the battery cover. They allow keypad or app entry and auto-locking, and you remove them when you move.
Standalone window and door sensors — which trigger a local alarm if a window or door is opened — are available for as little as £8–£15 per unit and attach with double-sided tape. Brands like Honeywell, SABRE, and various Ring-compatible sensors offer this. They are an excellent supplement to a main alarm system in ground-floor or accessible rooms.
If you have outdoor access — a garden or private front door — battery-powered or solar-powered security lights can be staked into soil or attached with adhesive pads. Solar models such as those from Litom or Mpow need no wiring at all. If you want something more powerful, a solar-powered floodlight with a motion sensor is a significant deterrent upgrade with no permanent installation required. For more on this, see our guide to the best motion sensor lights in the UK.
| Security Measure | Permission Needed? | Approx. Cost | Recommended Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY alarm system | No | £100–£250 | Ring Alarm or Yale Smart Home Alarm |
| Video doorbell (battery) | Minimal (1 screw) | £50–£120 | Ring Video Doorbell 4, Eufy E340 |
| Indoor camera | No | £35–£90 | Blink Mini 2, Eufy Indoor Cam |
| Retrofit smart lock | No (fits over existing cylinder) | £80–£160 | Nuki Smart Lock Pro, Yale Linus |
| Window/door sensors | No (adhesive) | £8–£15 each | Ring Alarm contact sensor |
| Solar security light | No (stake or adhesive) | £20–£50 | Litom Pro, Mpow 3-head solar |
If you have asked your landlord in writing to repair or upgrade locks and they have not responded within a reasonable time (typically 14–28 days for non-urgent repairs), you have several options:
Flats present unique challenges. You have little control over communal areas, and the front door to the building is shared. Focus on what you can control: your flat’s internal front door, windows, and any balcony or fire escape access. An internal front door that has a functioning multi-point lock (or at minimum a deadbolt) is your primary line of defence. A door reinforcement bar or door jammer — such as those made by Master Lock — provides additional resistance to forced entry with zero installation required.
If you are renovating your home between tenancies or about to move into a new property, our guides at FlooringBlog cover securing and improving properties during renovation — useful context if you are in a new-build or recently refurbished flat.
Prices quoted are approximate UK retail figures as of September 2026. Always check your specific tenancy agreement before installing any security product.
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