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Original poster

Installing a ring doorbell on rented property

29 replies

Pebbledashery · 15/03/2021 13:29

Hi all.
Just wondering where I stand in terms of installing a ring doorbell on my rented house. The agency said its fine as long as it doesn't involve drilling to the brickwork or door frame.. Which of course I now realise it does.. My lovely next door neighbour is a chippy and said its very easy to fill up the holes afterwards and they'd help me restore it back to original condition..
My domestic violence support agency bought me the doorbell to install for security purposes as DD and I fled from my violent ex who doesn't know where we live. The agency don't know too much about my personal life other than I needed to leave where I was living before very quickly.
What's the chances of the landlord agreeing to it being installed? Do landlords generally not like installation of security doorbells?
I've spoken to my surrounding neighbours who are all OK with the installation of the doorbell also.
Is there anything further I can mention to them so they know it won't be left in a damaged state?
Thanks

OP posts:
FurierTransform · 15/03/2021 13:37

Rather than make a big deal about it, I think i'd just go ahead and fit it, & have the holes filled when you leave.

Assuming here that it's a normal painted white wooden doorframe, not in absolutely perfect as-new condition, that will be relatively easy to fill & touch up when you leave.

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 15/03/2021 13:39

I think I'm just worried as they do inspections every 6 months so someone from the agency comes over and they'll notice.

OP posts:
Wobblesandchickuns · 15/03/2021 13:48

We've always put holes in walls when we've rented. As long as you fill them in and repaint when you leave they honestly won't care. We've also had frequent inspections too. Don't worry.

coronabeer · 15/03/2021 13:52

I would ask the letting agency to check with the landlord on your behalf. Explain that you will, of course, make good any holes drilled when you leave the property and you could possibly ask whether s/he has any preference as to where the door bell itself is situated. Just saying that you are uncomfortable opening the door when you don't know who you are opening it to seems like a good enough reason in itself if you would, understandably, prefer not to divulge your history.

Midlifephoenix · 15/03/2021 14:10

I'm a landlord and I'd be fine with a tenant installing a security door bell, especially at their own expense. But I'd like to be informed.

murbblurb · 15/03/2021 14:30

just ask the landlord (not the agency, you don't have a contract with them). As long as it is competently installed and any damage is made good, I can't see any reason for this to be refused. Details not needed, lots of people have these now.

rslsys · 15/03/2021 14:31

Could you use heavy duty command strips to fix the external unit to the wall?

Aquamarine1029 · 15/03/2021 14:32

I think I'm just worried as they do inspections every 6 months so someone from the agency comes over and they'll notice.

I wouldn't even worry about this and I highly doubt anyone would care. As long as you fill the holes properly when you leave there shouldn't be any issue.

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 15/03/2021 14:36

I don't have any dealings with the landlord at all as the property managed by the agency.. I've installed a stair gate in the house and pictures on the wall and stuff like that so I guess it's no different as the damage needs to be restored from that too. I have asked and explained though. Hopefully they'll say yes.

OP posts:
SecretOfChange · 15/03/2021 14:40

I used to worry about stuff like that all the time - rented for 15 years (5 different houses). In hindsight I wish we'd do more in every house in order to make it more ours.

I wouldn't bother asking about a door bell because it's such a basic thing and it's needed rather than your personal preference.

ittakes2 · 15/03/2021 15:02

We asked our landlord and they said yes. But it sounds like your agency said to go ahead so I am confused about why you say you do not have permission.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 15/03/2021 15:04

Can these things work if they are in a window?

Wobblesandchickuns · 15/03/2021 15:04

Honestly, they won't care. We stuck to every stupid rule in the book when we started renting (e.g. Don't light candles...) then stopped caring eventually, especially after we went to view some rented houses when we wanted to move and they were absolute fucking shitholes. Most landlords won't care about a screw in the wall when they can't be arsed to make sure the property is perfect when you get there.

purplebagladylovesgin · 15/03/2021 15:16

If you get your friend to mount a piece of wood long ways so the screws can go through the sealant and then into the doorframe, there will be almost no damage to patch up later. You can then mount the ring doorbell to the wood.

If this can't be done then I'd also ask the agent to approach the landlord properly rather than answering on his behalf. Which, from the reply you've had sounds as though he has. It's not really practical to say yes to a doorbell then say no to a few screws.

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 15/03/2021 15:16

To be fair.. My property was absolutely spotless when I moved in.. The agency said it was fine to install if no drilling is involved which I now realise you have to drill two holes in the brickwork to install the thing.

OP posts:
Svalberg · 15/03/2021 15:27

Mine's stuck on with heavy-duty double sided tape, it's been up for over 2 years & shows no signs of falling off. It may damage the paintwork if you mount it on there, but ours is on upvc

OverTheHill50 · 15/03/2021 15:34

LL here. Please don't mount it on a UPVC doorframe without permission as it will not be possible to repair/fill in the holes later. Wood less of a problem.

As others have said though, there are some heavy duty tapes etc which could attach it semi-permanently. Will it be protected from rain etc by a storm porch?

thinkfast · 15/03/2021 15:43

I'm a landlord and Id be fine with this if I was asked beforehand and you confirmed in writing/ email that you would replace it with a normal doorbell and make good any damage before the end of the tenancy.

I'd be fairly annoyed it you just started drilling holes in things without checking with me first.

RainbowCookie7 · 15/03/2021 15:48

Ring sell a no drill door mount specifically for this purpose.

FinallyHere · 15/03/2021 15:50

doesn't involve drilling to the brickwork or door frame.. Which of course I now realise it does..

Which device do you have?

I have ended up with some accessories for the 3 plus including a frame to allow it to be glued to the door, the no drill mount as PP explained.

WiFi just not up to it, you are welcome to the bits. They just take up space on my desk and have no purpose once I sent back the device.

Mylittlesandwich · 15/03/2021 15:53

Yes I was just about to say depending on which model you have there's a no drill door mount available. I think Amazon have them or you can have a look at rings website itself.

Mylittlesandwich · 15/03/2021 15:55

@thinkfast

I'm a landlord and Id be fine with this if I was asked beforehand and you confirmed in writing/ email that you would replace it with a normal doorbell and make good any damage before the end of the tenancy.

I'd be fairly annoyed it you just started drilling holes in things without checking with me first.

Why would it need to be replaced with a normal door bell? I assume if you wanted your property to have a door bell you would have fitted one yourself?
FastFood · 15/03/2021 15:57

I have a wireless door bell which doesn't involve any drilling, just heavy duty sticker.
Costs something like £20 on amazon, a bit more if it comes with a camera.

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 15/03/2021 15:59

I would never start drilling without asking the agency first.
I might have a look at the heavy duty tape actually that's a good shout.
It's a Ring 2 version. It's quite big, I didn't realise it would be that big.
The mount isn't needed for anything other than just securing it onto the wall I presume.. I'll have a look at the heavy duty tape option.

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 15/03/2021 16:11

Ah, that's a pity, ours are for the 3 plus.

I found the service better buying direct from Ring. If there was any problem, they sent the right but out while waiting for the return. V v helpful people.

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