{"id":9525,"date":"2026-09-28T10:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T07:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valve.local.navirec.com\/alarm-system-for-a-rented-flat\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T11:32:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:32:50","slug":"alarm-system-for-a-rented-flat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/alarm-system-for-a-rented-flat\/","title":{"rendered":"Alarm system for a rented flat: is it allowed and how to do it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group kv-post-summary has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"is-style-eyebrow wp-block-paragraph\">In short<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can put an alarm system in a rented flat too: the sensors are fixed with small screws and the hub plugs into a socket. No cables are run, and when you move out you take the system with you. Before installation, it&#8217;s worth reading through your tenancy agreement and letting your landlord know. The Start package (6 devices) costs 385 \u20ac to buy or 17,36 \u20ac\/month to rent, with installation at 150 \u20ac.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-checks\"><li>No cables, the sensors are fixed with small screws<\/li><li>Minimum rental period 3 months, with 3 months&#8217; notice to end it<\/li><li>When you move, the system comes with you to your new home<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lots of people in rented flats would like an alarm at home, but don&#8217;t want to damage the walls or fall out with their landlord. A wired alarm means cables, and nobody wants to run those through someone else&#8217;s flat. With a wireless system, the sensors are fixed with small screws, the hub plugs into a socket and the connection runs over a SIM card. Below we explain how to talk to your landlord, where to put the devices and what happens when you move. At the end there&#8217;s a section for landlords too.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are you allowed to install an alarm system in a rented flat?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Usually, yes. A wireless alarm system doesn&#8217;t change the flat: the sensors are fixed with small screws, no cables are run and the hub goes into an ordinary socket. When you move out, you take the devices off the wall and the flat is the same as before. That&#8217;s why removable devices usually don&#8217;t need separate permission. This isn&#8217;t legal advice, though: tenancy agreements differ, and some say what you may change or add in the flat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s good practice to tell your landlord before installation. Most owners are pleased about it. This is the simplest way:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Read through the tenancy agreement.<\/strong> Check whether it says anything about fixing devices, the walls or extra equipment. If the agreement forbids drilling the walls, talk to the owner before installation. The screw holes are small and easy to fill.<\/li><li><strong>Write your landlord a couple of lines.<\/strong> Say that you&#8217;re installing a wireless alarm system, that the sensors are fixed with small screws and that you&#8217;ll take them with you when you move out. A written reply is a handy reminder for both of you later on.<\/li><li><strong>Mention the smoke detector.<\/strong> The Start package includes a smoke detector that also sends an alert to your phone. If the flat already has the owner&#8217;s smoke detector, leave it in place: two detectors don&#8217;t interfere with each other.<\/li><li><strong>Agree who gets the alerts.<\/strong> Usually only you and your family. If the owner also wants to know about a fire, they can be added as a user. Bear in mind that every user gets all alarms and can also see the arming log.<\/li><\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you install an alarm system in a rented flat?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sensors are fixed with small screws. The hub plugs into a socket and has a battery and a SIM card, so you don&#8217;t need the landlord&#8217;s router or Wi-Fi password either. Installation is one visit, usually a couple of hours, and costs the same anywhere in Estonia: 150 \u20ac. For a typical one- to three-room flat, the Start package fits:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-compare\"><table><thead><tr><th>Device<\/th><th>Where in the flat<\/th><th>Buy<\/th><th>Rent<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Hub<\/td><td>hallway or living room, near a socket<\/td><td>172 \u20ac<\/td><td>12,40 \u20ac\/month<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Keypad<\/td><td>next to the front door<\/td><td>52 \u20ac<\/td><td>1,86 \u20ac\/month<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Door sensor<\/td><td>front door<\/td><td>30 \u20ac<\/td><td>1,24 \u20ac\/month<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Motion sensor<\/td><td>living room, at a height of 2,1 m<\/td><td>36 \u20ac<\/td><td>1,24 \u20ac\/month<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Smoke detector<\/td><td>near the bedroom<\/td><td>56 \u20ac<\/td><td>2,48 \u20ac\/month<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Indoor siren<\/td><td>hallway<\/td><td>39 \u20ac<\/td><td>1,24 \u20ac\/month<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Start package total<\/strong><\/td><td>6 devices<\/td><td><strong>385 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>17,36 \u20ac\/month<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The motion sensor is pet-friendly up to 30 kg, so a cat or small dog doesn&#8217;t have to go anywhere while the alarm is on. If the flat is on the ground floor or you have a balcony, add a door sensor to the balcony door too (30 \u20ac or 1,24 \u20ac\/month). The siren is 110 dB, and the alarm goes to your phone at the same time.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group kv-note has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tip.<\/strong> Plug the hub into a socket that stays put even when you move the furniture around, not into an extension lead that someone pulls out while cleaning. The screw holes are small and easy to fill when you move.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does a sensor with a camera invade your flatmates&#8217; privacy?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a rented flat, that&#8217;s a fair question, especially if you live with flatmates. GSMvalve doesn&#8217;t install separate cameras or record continuous video. The motion sensor with camera (75 \u20ac or 1,86 \u20ac\/month) takes a series of photos only when the alarm goes off, when the system is armed and someone moves. During normal home life it takes no pictures at all. The Start package doesn&#8217;t include a sensor with a camera, but you can add one.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sharing a home still means agreeing on a few things:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Point the sensor with a camera at the hallway.<\/strong> Towards the front door, not at anyone&#8217;s bedroom door. An intruder comes in through the hallway anyway.<\/li><li><strong>Give everyone their own code or tag.<\/strong> The app shows who armed or disarmed the system and at what time. Tell your flatmates in advance that this log exists.<\/li><li><strong>Use night mode at night.<\/strong> The doors and windows stay armed, but you can move freely indoors. Nobody wakes up the whole flat by going to the kitchen at night.<\/li><li><strong>Be open with your landlord.<\/strong> If the owner is a user, they also get the photos when the alarm goes off. If you&#8217;re not comfortable with that, don&#8217;t add them, or skip the sensor with a camera.<\/li><\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can you take the alarm system with you to your next home?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, and for a tenant that&#8217;s the biggest advantage of a wireless system. Since none of the devices are inside the wall, when you move you take the sensors down and unplug the hub. In your new home, the same kit can go up again, even if the flat has a different layout. If needed, you add a sensor or two: the hub handles up to 96 devices. Let us know before you move, and we&#8217;ll agree how to carry on at the new place.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-compare\"><table><thead><tr><th>Start package<\/th><th>Buy<\/th><th>Rent<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Up front<\/td><td>385 \u20ac devices + 150 \u20ac installation<\/td><td>150 \u20ac installation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Every month<\/td><td>9,18 \u20ac<\/td><td>17,36 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Over 1 year<\/td><td>645 \u20ac<\/td><td>358 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Over 2 years<\/td><td>755 \u20ac<\/td><td>567 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Over 3 years<\/td><td>865 \u20ac<\/td><td>775 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Faulty device<\/td><td>2-year right to claim, then call-out from 35,20 \u20ac<\/td><td>by the price list<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a tenant, renting often makes more sense: up front you only pay for installation, and if life changes you&#8217;re not left with devices in a cupboard. The minimum rental period is 3 months, and you give 3 months&#8217; notice to end it. If you&#8217;re moving abroad or no longer need the system, factor in the notice period as soon as the end of your tenancy is in sight. Buying pays for itself in about 47 months (385 \u20ac divided by the 8,18 \u20ac difference in monthly fees), so if you plan to rent for another four years or more and take the system with you, buying is cheaper.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re only renting the flat for a couple of months, a technician-installed system may not pay off. Then a self-install kit from a shop may suit you better: you set it up yourself, and its connection usually depends on the home Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can a landlord protect a flat between tenants?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A flat that stands empty for a couple of weeks between tenants carries the same risk as an empty summer house: nobody sees whether the door is open or something is dripping under the sink. In 2025, Estonia recorded <a href=\"https:\/\/news.err.ee\/1609958510\/estonian-crime-stats-thefts-hit-highest-level-in-a-decade-in-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12 563 thefts<\/a>, the highest figure in the last ten years (Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, crime statistics). Four things are useful for a landlord:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Door sensor and motion sensor.<\/strong> You get an alert as soon as anyone enters the empty flat. If you give your code to an estate agent or a repairman, the app shows when they disarmed and re-armed the system.<\/li><li><strong>Water leak sensor<\/strong> (37 \u20ac or 1,24 \u20ac\/month). The cable probe goes under the sink or washing machine, and the alert reaches your phone before the water reaches the ceiling of the flat below.<\/li><li><strong>Smoke detector.<\/strong> Under \u00a7 32(3) of the Estonian Fire Safety Act, the owner of a flat must fit at least one room with a standalone smoke detector, and the fine is up to 300 fine units. The alarm system&#8217;s smoke detector (56 \u20ac or 2,48 \u20ac\/month) sounds at 85 dB and also sends an alert to your phone.<\/li><li><strong>An agreement with the new tenant.<\/strong> When a tenant moves in, decide together whether they get to use the system. It&#8217;s good practice for the owner not to stay on as a user without the tenant knowing, because a user can see the log and gets the photos when the alarm goes off.<\/li><\/ol>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re only interested in a smoke and carbon monoxide detector with phone alerts, the Smoke Alarm package is simpler: a hub plus a smoke, carbon monoxide and temperature sensor, 254 \u20ac to buy or 12,40 \u20ac\/month to rent. You install it yourself, and setup costs 18,60 \u20ac.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group kv-verdict has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><p class=\"is-style-eyebrow wp-block-paragraph\">Summary<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tenant: the Start package, with a short note to your landlord and a read-through of the agreement before installation. If you live with flatmates, give everyone their own code and point the sensor with a camera at the hallway. If you plan to move within four years, rent. Landlord: a door sensor, water leak sensor and smoke detector for the empty flat, and a clear agreement on who is a user when a new tenant moves in. If you want someone to always come out, add a patrol through a partner or choose a security company contract.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group kv-faq kv-post-faq has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do I need my landlord&#8217;s permission to install an alarm system in a rented flat?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sensors of the GSMvalve alarm system are fixed with small screws and the hub plugs into a socket, with no cables run. Removable devices like these usually don&#8217;t need separate permission, but it&#8217;s worth reading through your tenancy agreement and letting your landlord know in advance.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How much does an alarm system for a rented flat cost?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GSMvalve Start package (hub, keypad, door sensor, motion sensor, smoke detector and indoor siren) costs 385 \u20ac to buy, plus a monthly fee of 9,18 \u20ac, or 17,36 \u20ac\/month to rent. Installation is 150 \u20ac. Prices include VAT.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can I take the alarm system with me when I move?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. The sensors of a wireless system come off the wall and the hub is unplugged, and in your new home they go up again. If you rent, the minimum period is 3 months and you need to give 3 months&#8217; notice to end it.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does the sensor with a camera film the flat all the time?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. The GSMvalve motion sensor with camera doesn&#8217;t record video. It takes a series of photos only when the alarm goes off while the system is armed. Only users added to the system get the photos.<\/p><\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"kv-post-links wp-block-paragraph\">Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/packages\/start\/\">Start package for a flat<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/home-alarm-system-buy-or-rent\/\">is buying or renting cheaper<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/devices\/#kaameraga-andur\">the sensor with a camera on the devices page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You can put an alarm in a rented flat without running any cables. How to talk to your landlord, what to agree with flatmates and what happens when you move.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":9912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"kv_meta":"Alarm system for a rented flat: sensors fixed with small screws, hub in a socket. How to talk to your landlord and take the system with you when you move.","kv_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[353],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-security"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9525"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10535,"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9525\/revisions\/10535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valve.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}