Can You Use A Ring Doorbell In An Apartment? (Find Out Now!)
When I used to be in my twenties, I lived in really sketchy neighborhoods. One was an apartment building that had doors on the inside of the building. It was a time before Ring doorbells. Since then, I’ve wondered whether or not people there installed them inside the building. Is it even possible?
Ring doorbells can usually be used in apartments, provided that the apartment building allows them. If you cannot install a doorbell in your apartment, you can try the Ring peephole camera to get a similar level of safety.
Now that you know the truth, it’s important to get a better understanding of the details that can make or break your Ring doorbell installation.
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Is It Possible To Use A Ring Doorbell In Your Apartment?
Yes and no. It is possible to install a Ring doorbell on most doors. So, it might not actually harm your apartment’s exterior. Having your doorbell on the inside of your building also will not interfere with the quality of the transmission. So, on paper, there is nothing stopping you from doing this. However, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be allowed.
What Is The Best Ring Doorbell To Use In An Apartment?
If you are an apartment dweller, you probably should avoid the doorbell model altogether. You are actually better off checking out Ring’s peephole option. This is meant to replace a standard-sized peephole, all while giving you a good view of what’s going on from your cellphone.
How Much Does A Ring Peephole Cost?
It depends on where you buy your Ring Peephole camera from. Most authorized retailers will charge $150 for a new Ring Peephole. We strongly suggest getting a Ring device from an authorized and licensed dealer. Otherwise, you might end up with a knockoff or a potentially pre-damaged item.
Why Don’t Apartments Allow Ring Doorbells?
I’ll be honest. Most of the time, apartment landlords and HOAs will not allow Ring doorbells. There are several reasons why this happens to be the case:
- Some may find it to be a potentially damaging alteration to the apartment building. I mean, you do have to mount it on. While you could glue it, there’s always a chance that it could harm the apartment. No landlord wants repairs!
- There is a chance that your Ring doorbell could pick up voices from other apartments. This is illegal in most states, and can actually cause a lawsuit. It’s considered to be an illegal breach of privacy. Voices aren’t the only issue that people can have. If your doorbell is on a door that’s across from another apartment, you could “peep” into the neighbor’s home.
- In some cases, landlords also might worry about the additional aesthetic annoyances that can come with Ring doorbells. It could make other people ask for one. Or, it could make your home stick out a little too much for your taste. Or, it could end up clashing with the homefront.
- The frequencies from Ring doorbells can also interfere with other doorbells. Close proximity means that your frequencies can get mixed up. This could lead to a chain reaction of all the doorbells going off whenever a single doorbell is rung. Talk about a nuisance!
- At times, it’s also a matter of liability for the apartment. Let’s say that the Ring doorbell ends up causing a problem. For example, what would happen if the doorbell recorded something that ends up being illicit? Or something that ends up sparking an argument between neighbors? If things really escalate, then you could end up with a lawsuit on your hands.
How Can You Tell If Your Apartment Will Allow A Ring Doorbell?
The best way to find out is to be direct with your landlord or HOA. In most cases, they will refer you to a specific section in the rental agreement or guidebook that details what can and cannot be installed. From there, it’s cut and dry. If the HOA or landlord doesn’t have a clause regarding doorbells, you shouldn’t assume it’s okay to install one.
Like with all things relating to HOAs and rentals, it’s best to err on the side of caution. If you are not sure whether your apartment will allow it, the best thing you can do is ask them. The worst thing they can do is say no, leaving you with a clear reason to avoid spending extra money on something that will need to be taken down.
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Related Questions
Can you buy replacement screws for a Ring doorbell?
If you got a Ring doorbell with too few screws, you can always buy more. Ring has OEM screws (and other parts) for sale directly on their site. Of course, if you are worried about having to pay an arm and a leg for screws, you can also go with the “common” option. T6 screws will also fit with most Ring doorbell setups.
How long does a Ring doorbell’s battery last?
Ring doorbells will need to have a battery replacement done once a year at the very least. Many people find that they will have to replace their batteries even sooner—like within six months. Thankfully, you will always get a heads up from Ring’s app when the time to replace the batteries is coming up.
How do you convince a condo HOA to allow Ring doorbells?
The way to convince an HOA to do things is going to be a long, long road. Every single condo HOA will have its own codified way to enact change in the association’s policies. Unfortunately, this means that you have no other choice than to go by the book. And yes, we mean that in a literal sense.You may have to approach the HOA and ask for a meeting on the topic. Sometimes, you may need to petition it. Though you might want to try with all your might, you really should remember that it’s not always going to work out. In some cases, all the talking in the world will still result in a “NO!”
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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