You just moved into your apartment and want to ensure your property and pets are safe, but you can't drill into walls, hardwire a system, or commit to an expensive monitoring contract that may outlast your lease. The good news? The best renter-friendly security devices are battery-powered, plug-in ready, and designed to move with you when your lease ends. No permanent modifications. No long-term contracts. No compromises on coverage. 

Here are five practical security tips for apartment living that work whether you're in a studio, a high-rise, or a ground-floor unit with a sliding door. 

1. Choose No-Drill, Renter-Friendly Devices

Quick Answer: Look for battery-powered cameras, plug-in indoor cameras, and devices with adhesive or freestanding mounts that require zero permanent modifications to your walls, doors, or ceilings. 

Most renters face the same problem: you want to help protect your space, but your lease says you can't modify it. Security deposits, lease restrictions, and the reality of moving every year or two make permanent installations impractical. 

That's why the right devices for apartment living share three qualities: 

Battery-powered: No wiring or no electrician needed. 

Adhesive or freestanding mounts: Peel-and-stick bases, magnetic mounts, and tabletop placement mean zero holes in your walls. 

Plug-in options: For indoor cameras, a standard outlet is all you need. No installation required beyond plugging in a cable. 

The best renter-friendly Ring devices to start with include the Battery Doorbell Plus or Peephole Cam 2K for your front door, Indoor Cam Plus for common areas and Outdoor Cam Plus for patios or building entrances.

2. Cover Entry Points First 

Quick Answer: Placing your first devices at your front door and accessible windows gives you maximum coverage with the fewest number of devices, helping you protect one of many access points in your apartment from day one. 

You don't need to cover every corner of your apartment the day you move in. Focus on the places where someone could enter your unit, and you'll get the most value from your first one or two devices. 

Ensure your front door is covered with a Peephole Cam 2K to get a clear view of who's at your door before you open it. In apartment buildings with shared hallways, this is your first layer of awareness. 

If your unit has accessible windows or a patio door, consider using an Outdoor Cam Plus to cover those angles. These are common entry points that renters often overlook. 

Place an Indoor Cam Plus near your entry hallway, so you have a second layer of visibility and can see what's happening inside your apartment from anywhere. 

For indoor placement tips, check out our indoor camera placement guide.  

3. Use Smart Alerts

Quick Answer: Smart Alerts and Two-Way Talk can help you monitor deliveries in real time, so you know the moment a package arrives and can direct the driver on where to leave it, even when you're not home.² 

If you live in an apartment, your packages probably land in one of three places: outside your unit door, in a shared lobby, or on a building stoop. None of those are ideal nor the most secure locations. 

With Smart Alerts, you’ll get a notification on your phone the moment a delivery driver approaches your door. You’ll know your package has arrived before it's even set down. 

If you won’t be home to receive an important package, chat with your delivery person using Two-Way Talk to let them know exactly where to leave it. 

For a complete guide to protecting your deliveries, check out our package protection guide. 

4. Add Roommates as Shared Users  

Quick Answer: Add roommates as Shared Users through the Ring App so everyone can view cameras, get alerts, and use Two-Way Talk without sharing login credentials or buying separate devices. 

When living with roommates, security works well when everyone is in the loop. But sharing your account password creates problems: someone accidentally changes a setting, disables notifications, or still has full access to your cameras months after they've moved out. 

You can invite roommates as Shared Users through the Ring App to: 

View Live View on any shared device. 

Receive real-time Smart Alerts.² 

Use Two-Way Talk to speak with visitors at the door. 

You won't need to buy separate devices, as one doorbell can cover the front door and one indoor camera for common spaces. The best part? As the account owner, you decide which devices each person can access, and you can remove a Shared User if your living situation changes.  

Practical tip: When a roommate moves out, remove them as a Shared User immediately through the Ring App. It takes two taps and ensures only current residents have access to your devices. 

5. Stay Connected to Your Community with the Neighbors App 

Quick Answer: The Neighbors App delivers real-time safety updates from verified local agencies and your community, helping you stay informed about what's happening in your area, especially when you're new to a neighborhood. 

Moving into a new apartment often means moving into a new community. With the Neighbors App you can get to know your area faster and receive alerts from local agencies with real-time updates about safety-related events to stay informed about your surroundings without having to ask around. 

The Neighbors App connects you to the people around you, from lost pet alerts to important local updates, helping you feel like part of the neighborhood even if you just moved in. 

For renters who move every year or two, the Neighbors App is one of the fastest ways to feel connected and informed in a new area. The app is free to download and use, and is not tied to any device or subscription, so it stays with you no matter where you go next. 

Apartment living doesn't mean settling for less security. With the right devices, you get the same awareness and control as a homeowner without modifying a single wall. 

Ready to find the right setup for your apartment? Check out Which Ring Devices Are Best for Renters and browse the full Ring lineup at Ring.com. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Can you use Ring cameras in an apartment?  

A: Yes. Ring cameras work for renters in apartments.  

Q: Do Ring cameras require drilling?  

A: No, not all Ring cameras require drilling. Ring offers battery-powered and plug-in cameras that use adhesive mounts or can be placed in a fixed position on flat surfaces. Battery-powered and plug-in options do not require permanent installation and can be easily removed when you move out. 

Q: Which Ring devices work best for renters?   

A: Battery Doorbell Plus, Peephole Cam 2K, Indoor Cam Plus work best for renters who don’t want to permanently modify door or walls.  

Q: What Ring cameras work without a subscription?   

A: All Ring cameras provide free Live View, real-time notifications, and Two-Way Talk without a subscription. A Ring Protect Plan adds video recording history and advanced detection features.² Ring cameras without a subscription still provide meaningful awareness and real-time response. 

---

¹ Compatible Ring subscription required.  

² Compatible Ring subscription required. Available for select Ring video doorbells and/or cameras. Your Ring motion event videos in the cloud are stored, up to 180 days from recording. Modifying your video storage duration affects only recordings created after the change is applied."