Yes, renters can use a smart lock. But a rented home is not yours to change freely. Your lease, your landlord’s approval and how you restore the door when you move out all matter before you buy anything.
Here is how to do it without risking your deposit, and why many landlords are now installing smart locks themselves.
What to Check First
1. Your lease
Check whether the lease restricts changes to locks or door hardware. If it does, installing a lock without permission can put your deposit at risk.
2. Your landlord’s approval
Even if the lease says nothing about locks, ask first and get the answer in writing. Most landlords care about three things: no damage to the door, access in an emergency, and the original condition at move-out.
3. How you will restore the door
Plan your move-out before you install. Whatever you put on the door must come off without damage, and the original lock must go back on.
Three Ways Renters Get a Smart Lock
Option 1: Ask the landlord to install one
The simplest option. The landlord buys and installs the lock, and you get a PIN or fingerprint access. Nothing to restore when you leave, and the landlord can reset the codes for the next tenant. More landlords are open to this because it removes the cost of changing locks between tenants.
Option 2: Replace the lock using the existing holes
Many smart locks, especially rim locks, can be fitted using the holes your current lock already uses. Keep the original lock and all its parts. At move-out, reinstall the original lock and take your smart lock with you. Have a professional check that your door fits before you buy.
Option 3: A retrofit lock on the inside only
Some products fit over the existing interior thumb turn and leave the outside of the door unchanged. They are easy to remove, but they usually rely on the existing deadbolt and offer fewer access methods than a full smart lock.
Avoid as a renter, unless your landlord agrees:
- Drilling new holes in the door
- Cutting the door to fit a larger lock body
- Any change you cannot fully reverse at move-out
Renter Checklist
| Requirement | Priority |
|---|---|
| Written approval from the landlord | Must have |
| No new holes or cutting | Must have |
| Original lock and parts kept safely | Must have |
| Backup access: PIN or mechanical key | Must have |
| Emergency access for the landlord | Recommended |
| Codes reset before you hand back the keys | Recommended |
How to Approach Your Landlord
- No damage to the door: it uses the existing holes, or nothing changes outside
- They keep access: offer a separate PIN or the mechanical key for emergencies
- Full restoration: you will put the original lock back before you leave
- Better security: no copied keys floating around, and codes can be changed at any time
For Landlords: Why Install Smart Locks Yourself
If you own or manage rental units, a smart lock solves problems that keys create:
- No rekeying between tenants: delete the old codes and register new ones
- No lost or copied keys: access is tied to codes, fingerprints or cards you control
- Easier viewings and repairs: give a temporary code to an agent or contractor
- A selling point: keyless entry is a feature tenants notice
Tip for property managers: Choose one model across all your units. Installation, spare parts and user instructions stay the same everywhere.
The Bottom Line
Renters can use smart locks. The key is approval and reversibility: check your lease, get your landlord’s agreement in writing and keep the original lock safe. If your landlord is willing, asking them to install one is often the cleanest solution for both sides.
Equipping rental units or apartment projects?
LiNKHOME supplies NEXT smart door locks to distributors, builders and property developers. See our products or contact us for project inquiries.