Renting in London usually means a short list of things you are not allowed to do: drill into brickwork, chase cables into plaster or change the front door. That does not mean you have to live without security. Plenty of good options work around those limits, and the right choice depends on your lease, your landlord and how long you plan to stay.
This guide covers what is realistic in a rented flat, what to check before anything goes on the wall, and where a professional fit makes the difference between a system that works and one that falls off in a fortnight.
Start with your tenancy agreement and your landlord
Before you buy anything, read the clause on alterations and ask your landlord in writing. A wireless alarm or a doorbell that can be removed when you leave is the easiest case to make, especially if you offer to make good any fixings. Some blocks are managed by a freeholder or managing agent, and the communal door, entryphone and corridors are often theirs to control. Ask who owns the door you want to protect.
Two practical points help your case. First, choose equipment that comes off cleanly and can move with you. Second, keep a note of exactly where anything is fixed so it can be reversed. A short email with a plan and photos is far more persuasive than a verbal request.
Cameras that point at shared hallways, neighbours' doors or the street raise privacy questions. Keep any camera aimed at your own entrance and your own space, and think about how recordings will be stored and who can see them.
A wireless alarm is the natural fit for a flat
An intruder alarm does not need cables running through walls any more. Our Flat/Apartment alarm is a fully wireless system with a smart hub and keypad, one door contact and two motion sensors, with app control and instant notifications. It is fitted in hours with no drilling for cable runs and no mess. All prices inc. VAT, and the Flat/Apartment package is £699 inc. VAT.
For a typical one or two bedroom flat, that is usually the front door covered by the contact and the main living areas covered by the motion sensors. If your layout has a second entrance, a balcony door or ground-floor windows, say so when you ask for a quote so the plan reflects it. You can read more about the wider range on our CCTV and security services page.
Video doorbells: the easiest upgrade, if the wiring is right
A video doorbell is the most popular change for renters because it replaces something already on the wall. If you have bought your own, the Video Doorbell Fit is £129 inc. VAT. It covers fitting and wiring to your existing chime and transformer, app setup with alerts configured, and an angle bracket where needed, for any major brand. We have written separately about professional fitting of your own kit.
If you would rather have us supply one, the Video Doorbell Pro is £399 inc. VAT, with 2K video, night vision, two-way audio through the app, smart person detection and an indoor chime included.
In a flat, check three things first: whether your existing bell wiring suits a video model, whether the Wi-Fi reaches the front door, and whether the entryphone belongs to the building. For shared entry systems, see our intercoms and door entry page.
Bringing your own cameras
If you already own a camera kit, indoor cameras on shelves or a wireless unit near the door can work without fixings. Anything that needs cabling or external mounting is a bigger conversation with your landlord. Where it is agreed, the Own CCTV Kit Install is £449 inc. VAT for a customer-supplied kit of up to 4 cameras, mounted and cabled, connected to your NVR or Wi-Fi, with app, alerts and recording configured and cable runs neatly concealed.
When a survey is worth it
If you are unsure what suits the flat, the Home Survey & Design is £99 inc. VAT: an engineer site visit, a written recommendation and fixed quote, and a camera and device placement plan. The fee is credited in full against any booking of £500 or more, so if you go ahead with an alarm, the £99 comes off the price.
Questions
How much does a wireless burglar alarm for a rented London flat cost? Ai Protech fits the Flat/Apartment alarm for £699 inc. VAT: a fully wireless smart hub and keypad, one door contact, two motion sensors, app control and instant notifications, fitted in hours with no drilling for cable runs and no mess.
Can you fit a video doorbell I have already bought? Yes. The Video Doorbell Fit is £129 inc. VAT for any major brand, wired to your existing chime and transformer with the app and alerts set up and an angle bracket where needed. If you would rather we supply one, the Video Doorbell Pro is £399 inc. VAT with 2K video, night vision, two-way audio and an indoor chime.
Is the £99 survey worth it before I decide? The Home Survey and Design visit is £99 inc. VAT: an engineer visits the flat, writes a recommendation with a fixed quote and a device placement plan, and the fee is credited in full against any booking of £500 or more.
A simple order of priorities
- Get your landlord's agreement in writing.
- Secure the front door first.
- Cover the main route through the flat with motion sensors.
- Choose equipment you can take with you when the tenancy ends.
If you are comparing options across your wider home, our smart home page shows how alarms, doorbells and lighting can work together.
Tell us about the flat, the tenancy and what your landlord has said, and we will recommend something that fits. Request a quote