Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay. We only recommend products we have tested or thoroughly researched.

Smart Home for Apartments: 7 No-Damage Upgrades That Won’t Cost Your Deposit

If you rent your apartment, you have probably looked at smart home guides and thought the same thing every renter thinks: “That looks great, but my landlord would kill me.” And honestly, you are right to hesitate. Most smart home guides assume you own the place. They tell you to fish wires through walls, replace light switches, drill holes for cameras, and hardwire smart thermostats. Try any of that in a rental and you will be saying goodbye to your security deposit.

But here is the good news: the smart home industry has quietly built an entire category of products designed specifically for people who cannot (or will not) modify their living space. These are devices that stick on, plug in, or sit on a shelf, and when your lease ends, they come off clean in minutes.

This guide is part of our renter-friendly smart home series, following our deep dive into smart locks for renters. Here, we cover seven specific upgrades you can install this weekend, ranked by cost and impact, each with a Lease Safety Score (LSS) that tells you exactly how much deposit risk you are taking (spoiler: it is zero for all seven).

The 3 Iron Rules of Renter Smart Home Upgrades

Before we get into specific products, you need to understand the framework. Every device in this guide passes three tests. If a product fails any of these, it does not belong in a rental.

Rule 1: No Drilling

This is the big one. Drilling is the fastest way to lose your deposit. Holes in walls, door frames, or ceilings give landlords an excuse to deduct repair costs, and those deductions add up fast. A single hole can cost you $25 to $50 in repair fees, and a full smart home install with traditional hardware might mean 10 or more holes.

Every device in this guide uses alternative mounting methods: adhesive strips, magnetic mounts, shelf placement, or no mounting at all. The SwitchBot Curtain 3, for example, rides directly on your existing curtain rod. The Aqara door sensor sticks on with 3M adhesive. The Wyze Cam v4 sits on a shelf or bookcase. No drill required for any of them.

Rule 2: No Wiring

Electrical work in a rental is a hard no. Replacing a light switch with a smart switch means touching the electrical box, which is dangerous if you do not know what you are doing, and it is a clear violation of most leases. Hardwiring a doorbell camera means running cable through your wall. Even if you could do it, your landlord would have grounds to charge you for unauthorized electrical modifications.

Instead, every device in this guide is either battery-powered, plug-in, or uses a retrofit approach that does not touch your home’s wiring. Smart bulbs screw into existing sockets. Smart plugs go into existing outlets. The SwitchBot Lock Pro attaches to the outside of your deadbolt and turns it mechanically, without touching the lock’s internal mechanism.

Rule 3: Fully Removable

This is the test most renters forget about until move-out day. A device might install without drilling or wiring, but if it leaves residue, marks, or damage when removed, you still lose money. Adhesive strips that pull paint off walls. Mounting plates that leave outline marks. Devices that require permanent modification to function.

Every product in this guide is designed to leave zero trace. Adhesive mounts use removable 3M strips that come off clean. Battery cameras pick up and go. Smart bulbs swap back to originals in seconds. The entire setup, all seven upgrades, can be removed and restored in under 30 minutes. We will show you exactly how at the end of this guide.

Upgrade 1: Smart Plugs ($9 each) – Turn Any Device Smart in 30 Seconds

Smart plugs are the gateway drug of the smart home world, and for good reason. They are the cheapest, simplest, and lowest-risk upgrade you can make. At roughly $9 each, you can start automating your apartment for less than the cost of a pizza.

What It Does for Renters

A smart plug sits between your wall outlet and any regular appliance, giving you app control, scheduling, and voice commands for devices that were never designed to be smart. Think about what this means in practice:

• Turn off your space heater automatically after 30 minutes (safety and savings)
• Schedule your coffee maker to start at 6:45 AM so it is ready when you walk into the kitchen
• Set your living room lamp to turn on at sunset and off at bedtime, no timer dial needed
• Cut phantom power to your TV and entertainment center overnight (small but real savings on your electric bill)
• Turn off your curling iron or straightener remotely if you forgot before leaving for work

For renters, the appeal is obvious. You do not change a single thing about your apartment’s infrastructure. You plug a small device into an outlet, plug your lamp or appliance into it, and now that device is part of your smart home. When you move, you unplug it. That is the entire lifecycle.

Best Pick: Kasa EP10 (LSS: A+)

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug EP10 is our top pick for renters, and it is not even close at this price point. Here is why:

• Price: Around $9 each, often cheaper in multi-packs. You can outfit an entire apartment for under $40.
• App quality: The Kasa app is one of the most stable and user-friendly smart home apps available. Scheduling, scenes, and away mode are all straightforward.
• Voice control: Works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant out of the box.
• Compact design: The EP10 is small enough that it does not block the second outlet in a standard duplex. This matters more than you think in apartments where outlets are scarce.
• No hub required: Connects directly to your WiFi. No extra device to buy or set up.

The Lease Safety Score is A+ because the plug literally just sits in an outlet. There is nothing to mount, nothing to stick, nothing to remove. Unplug and go.

For a deeper comparison of smart plugs, including options with energy monitoring and outdoor ratings, check our complete smart plug guide.

Installation: Plug in. Done.

This is the entire installation process: plug the Kasa EP10 into a wall outlet. Open the Kasa app. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect it to your WiFi (about 60 seconds). Plug your lamp, fan, or appliance into the smart plug. You are done. Total time: under 2 minutes per plug.

Move-Out Time: 10 seconds per plug

Unplug your device from the smart plug. Unplug the smart plug from the wall. Put it in a box. That is it. There is literally nothing to clean up or repair.

Deposit Risk: Zero

You are plugging something into an outlet and then unplugging it. There is no possible way this can damage your apartment. The deposit risk is absolute zero.

Upgrade 2: Smart Bulbs ($8 each) – Smart Lighting Without Rewiring

Smart lighting is where most people want to start with a smart home, but the traditional approach (replacing wall switches with smart switches) is a non-starter for renters. Smart bulbs solve this completely. They screw into your existing light fixtures and give you full app control, color changing, dimming, and scheduling, all without touching a single wire.

The concept is simple: take out the regular bulb, put in a smart bulb, and now that light is controllable from your phone or voice assistant. When you move, you swap the smart bulb back for the original. The key (and this is important) is keeping those original bulbs safe and labeled.

Best Pick: Wyze Bulb Color (LSS: A+)

The Wyze Bulb Color earns our top recommendation for renters for several reasons:

• Price: At roughly $8 per bulb when bought in a 4-pack, this is one of the cheapest full-color smart bulbs on the market.
• Color and white: Full RGB color plus tunable white (2700K to 6500K). You get warm white for relaxing, cool white for working, and any color for ambiance.
• Brightness: 1100 lumens, which is equivalent to a 75W traditional bulb. Bright enough for most rooms.
• No hub required: Connects directly to WiFi. No extra hub or bridge needed.
• Voice control: Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Scheduling: Set sunrise and sunset routines. Wake up to gradually brightening light. Turn off automatically at bedtime.

The Lease Safety Score is A+ because you are literally just changing a light bulb. No different than if you swapped a soft white for a daylight bulb. When you move out, you swap back.

Pro Tip: Keep Original Bulbs in a Labeled Box

This is the single most important piece of advice in this entire guide for smart bulbs. When you remove the original bulbs from your fixtures, do not throw them away. Do not leave them in a random drawer. Put them in a small box, label each one with the room it came from (“kitchen ceiling,” “bedroom lamp,” “bathroom vanity”), and store the box somewhere safe.

Why? Because move-out day is stressful, and the last thing you want is to be scrambling to find the right bulbs while the moving truck is waiting. Landlords will charge you for missing or wrong bulbs. A 4-pack of original bulbs in a labeled box takes 5 minutes to organize on install day and saves you money and stress on move-out day.

Want to explore more smart bulb options? See our smart bulb comparison guide for alternatives at every price point.

Upgrade 3: Battery Security Camera ($35) – Shelf Placement, No Mounting

Security cameras are the upgrade that gives renters the most pause. The mental image is always the same: a camera bolted to the wall with cables running everywhere. But battery-powered cameras have completely changed the equation. You can place one on a bookshelf, a windowsill, or a mantel, and it will run for months on a single charge.

For apartment renters, a battery camera serves two purposes. First, general home security: monitor your front door, living room, or any entry point while you are away. Second, package protection: if you order a lot from Amazon (and if you are reading this, you probably do), a camera pointed at your delivery spot can catch porch pirates in the act.

Best Pick: Wyze Cam v4 (LSS: A+)

The Wyze Cam v4 is our pick for the best renter-friendly security camera at this price point:

• Price: Around $35, which is remarkable for the feature set.
• 2K resolution: Sharp enough to identify faces and read package labels. Far better than the 1080p cameras that dominate this price range.
• Color night vision: A built-in spotlight means you get full-color video at night instead of the grainy green infrared image most cheap cameras produce.
• Indoor and outdoor: Rated IP65 for weather resistance. Use it inside or mount it outside (using the included adhesive mount, not screws).
• Two-way audio: Talk to pets, scare off intruders, or tell the delivery person where to leave a package.
• Local storage: Supports microSD cards up to 512GB. No mandatory cloud subscription.

The Lease Safety Score is A+ because the camera can sit on any flat surface. If you do want to mount it, the included adhesive mount sticks to walls and removes cleanly. No drilling, no wiring, no permanent changes.

For a comprehensive look at security camera options, including outdoor-specific models and subscription-free alternatives, read our security camera guide.

Upgrade 4: Retrofit Smart Lock ($120) – Keyless Entry Without Replacing Hardware

Smart locks are the upgrade renters want most but think they can never have. The problem is obvious: most smart locks replace your entire deadbolt, which means removing the existing lock hardware, something your landlord will not appreciate. But retrofit smart locks solve this completely. They attach to the outside of your existing deadbolt and turn it mechanically. No removal, no replacement, no permanent changes.

Best Pick: SwitchBot Lock Pro (LSS: A)

The SwitchBot Lock Pro is the best retrofit smart lock for renters:

• How it works: A small motorized unit attaches to the inside of your door over the existing deadbolt thumb turn. It physically rotates the lock for you. Your original lock stays completely intact.
• App and voice control: Lock and unlock from your phone. Set auto-lock timers. Use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri (with the SwitchBot Hub).
• Key still works: Your physical key still works exactly as before. The SwitchBot is an addition, not a replacement. If the battery dies or WiFi goes down, you can still use your key.
• Adhesive mounting: Attaches with strong 3M adhesive. No drilling into your door. Removes cleanly with the included removal tool.
• Battery powered: Runs for about 8 months on a single set of batteries. No wiring needed.
• Pro version upgrades: The Pro adds a fingerprint sensor on the outside of the door, so you can unlock with a touch even without your phone.

The Lease Safety Score is A (not A+) because the adhesive is very strong and, in rare cases, can leave a slight residue on some door finishes. However, this residue cleans off easily with rubbing alcohol, and the removal tool is designed to prevent damage. In our testing, removal was clean on wood, metal, and composite doors.

This is the same approach we recommend in our dedicated smart locks for renters guide. For a broader look at all smart lock types (including models for homeowners), see our complete smart lock reviews.

Upgrade 5: Smart Curtain Motor ($100) – Automated Curtains on Any Rod

Automated curtains are one of those upgrades that sounds like a luxury until you have them, and then you cannot imagine going back. Waking up to natural light as your curtains open automatically at sunrise. Closing them from bed without getting up. Setting a schedule so it looks like someone is home even when you are on vacation.

The problem has always been that motorized curtain systems require custom installation, track replacement, and professional mounting. Not anymore. The SwitchBot Curtain 3 attaches directly to your existing curtain rod or track and motorizes the curtains you already own.

Best Pick: SwitchBot Curtain 3 (LSS: A)

The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is the best option for renters who want automated curtains:

• Universal fit: Works with rod curtains, U-rail tracks, and I-rail tracks. Includes multiple adapters in the box so it fits almost any existing setup.
• How it works: The motor unit clips onto your curtain rod and attaches to your curtain. It then slides the curtain open and closed along the rod. No new hardware, no track replacement.
• App control: Open and close from your phone. Set schedules (open at 7 AM, close at 9 PM). Create scenes with other smart devices.
• Voice control: Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri (with SwitchBot Hub).
• Battery life: Up to 8 months on a single charge. Recharges via USB-C. You can also add the optional solar panel for continuous charging.
• Manual override: If the battery dies or WiFi is down, you can still pull the curtains by hand. The motor disengages when you pull.
• Quiet operation: The Curtain 3 is significantly quieter than the previous generation. You will not hear it from the next room.

The Lease Safety Score is A because the motor clips onto your existing rod. There is no adhesive and no drilling. The only reason it is not A+ is that the motor unit adds weight to the rod, and in very rare cases with cheap tension rods, this could cause the rod to shift. On a properly mounted rod, this is a non-issue.

For more options on motorized window treatments, including blinds and shades, see our smart blinds guide.

Upgrade 6: Door/Window Sensors ($25) – Security Alerts Without Drilling

Door and window sensors are the unsung heroes of apartment security. They are small, cheap, and incredibly useful. A sensor consists of two pieces: one attaches to the door or window frame, the other to the door or window itself. When the two pieces separate (meaning the door or window opens), you get an instant alert on your phone.

For renters, this is huge. You can know the moment someone opens your front door, back door, or any window in your apartment. Set up an alert routine that turns on your smart lights and starts recording on your camera if a sensor triggers while you are away. Get a notification if your roommate comes home late. Check that you remembered to close the bathroom window from work.

Best Pick: Aqara Door/Window Sensor P2 (LSS: A)

The Aqara Door/Window Sensor P2 is our top pick for renters:

• Price: Around $25 for a single sensor. Multi-packs bring the per-unit cost down further.
• Compact size: The sensor is small enough to be unobtrusive. About the size of a large postage stamp. It will not look bulky on your door frame.
• Matter support: The P2 version supports Matter, which means it works directly with Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa without needing the Aqara hub. This is a big deal for renters who do not want to buy extra hardware.
• Adhesive mounting: Sticks on with included 3M adhesive. No drilling, no screws. Removes cleanly.
• Battery life: Up to 2 years on a single CR1632 battery. You will barely ever need to change it.
• Response time: Near-instant alerts. The sensor detects opening in under a second and sends a push notification immediately.

The Lease Safety Score is A because the adhesive is strong and reliable but can occasionally leave a faint mark on painted surfaces if removed carelessly. Pull slowly and use a hair dryer on low heat to soften the adhesive if needed. On metal or finished wood frames, removal is completely clean.

Upgrade 7: Smart Speaker/Hub ($50) – Your Apartment’s Brain

You can have smart plugs, bulbs, cameras, locks, curtains, and sensors, but without a central way to control them all, you are just switching between six different apps on your phone. A smart speaker solves this by giving you a single voice interface for everything, plus it serves as a smart home hub that can coordinate routines and automations across your devices.

Think of it this way: “Alexa, good night” can turn off all your lights, lock your door, close your curtains, and arm your door sensors. That is the promise of a smart home, and it requires a hub to make it happen. The good news is that the cheapest smart speakers on the market are also the most capable hubs.

Best Pick: Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen (LSS: A+)

The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen is the best value smart speaker and hub for renters:

• Price: Around $50, and frequently on sale for $30 or less during Prime Day and Black Friday.
• Smart home hub: Built-in Zigbee and Matter support. This means it can directly connect to compatible devices without needing a separate hub. The Aqara sensor, for example, can connect directly through the Echo Dot via Matter.
• Voice control: Control every device in this guide with your voice. “Alexa, turn off the living room lamp.” “Alexa, lock the front door.” “Alexa, close the curtains.”
• Routines: Create custom automations. “Alexa, I’m leaving” can turn off lights, lock the door, start camera recording, and close curtains. All from one phrase.
• Sound quality: The 5th Gen sounds noticeably better than previous generations. Fine for podcasts, audiobooks, and casual music listening.
• Temperature sensor: Built-in temperature sensor can trigger automations. If the room gets above 80 degrees, turn on a smart-plug-connected fan automatically.
• Compact size: Small enough to sit on a nightstand, kitchen counter, or bookshelf. Takes up almost no space.

The Lease Safety Score is A+ because the Echo Dot is a small puck that sits on a flat surface. No mounting, no adhesive, no installation of any kind. Plug it in, connect to WiFi, and you are done. Unplug and pack it when you move.

For more on Matter-compatible devices and how they work together, check our Matter device guide.

The Complete 7-Upgrade Cost Breakdown

One of the best things about this renter-friendly approach is that you do not have to buy everything at once. You can start small and add upgrades over time. Here is the full cost breakdown, organized into three tiers based on how much you want to invest.

A few notes on these numbers:

• Prices are approximate and based on typical Amazon pricing. Sales can bring costs down significantly, especially during Prime Day (October) and Black Friday (November).
• The minimum viable setup assumes you buy 4-pack bundles for plugs and bulbs, which is the most cost-effective way to purchase them.
• The recommended setup adds a single camera and three sensors. If you have a larger apartment, you may want additional sensors for more doors and windows.
• The full setup includes one SwitchBot Lock Pro (for your front door) and one SwitchBot Curtain 3 (for one window). If you have multiple windows with curtains, you will need additional curtain motors.
• None of these prices include optional subscriptions. All devices in this guide work without paid cloud subscriptions, though some offer enhanced features with optional plans.

The key takeaway: you can have a functional smart home for $85. That is less than most monthly utility bills. And every dollar you spend stays with you when you move, because all of these devices are portable.

Move-Out Day: The 30-Minute Restoration Plan

This is the section your deposit cares about most. When your lease ends, you need to return your apartment to its original condition. The beauty of this setup is that restoration is fast, simple, and requires no tools. Here is the step-by-step plan, timed so you know exactly how long each step takes.

Minute 0-5: Unplug All Smart Plugs and Speakers

Go room by room and unplug every smart plug from the wall. Unplug your appliances from the smart plugs. Unplug your Echo Dot. Wrap the cables, put everything in a box. This is the easiest step. Five devices should take you about 5 minutes total.

Minute 5-15: Swap Smart Bulbs Back to Originals

Get your labeled box of original bulbs (you did label them, right?). Go fixture by fixture, remove the smart bulb, and screw in the original. Check that each bulb works before moving to the next one. With 4 to 6 bulbs, this should take about 10 minutes. If you labeled your bulbs as suggested, you will not waste time figuring out which bulb goes where.

Minute 15-20: Remove Sensors and Camera

Pick up your camera from its shelf or bookcase. For the door and window sensors, use a hair dryer on low heat for about 10 seconds to warm the adhesive, then peel off slowly. If any residue remains, wipe it with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. This should take about 5 minutes for 3 sensors and 1 camera.

Minute 20-30: Remove Smart Lock and Curtain Motor

Use the SwitchBot removal tool (included in the box) to detach the Lock Pro from your door. The adhesive should release cleanly. If not, use the hair dryer and rubbing alcohol technique. Unclip the Curtain 3 from your curtain rod and detach it from the curtain. Both devices come off in minutes. Total time: about 10 minutes.

Final Check: Photo Documentation for Deposit Return

Before you hand back the keys, take photos of every surface where a device was installed. Door frames where sensors were stuck. The door where the lock was attached. The rod where the curtain motor rode. The shelves where the camera sat. These photos are your proof that no damage was done. If your landlord tries to claim damage, you have timestamped evidence showing clean surfaces.

Also photograph every light fixture with the original bulbs back in place, every outlet (to show no damage), and every window (to show no marks). This takes 5 minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars in bogus repair charges.

Total restoration time: 30 minutes. Total deposit risk: zero. That is the promise of a renter-friendly smart home.

FAQ

Can my landlord forbid smart home devices?

In most cases, no. Your lease typically prohibits permanent modifications (drilling, wiring, structural changes), not the use of plug-in or adhesive-mounted devices. A smart plug in an outlet is no different than a power strip. A smart bulb in a fixture is no different than a different brand of bulb. However, some leases have specific clauses about security cameras, especially those that record common areas or neighbors. Always check your lease and, if in doubt, ask your landlord. Most will not care about devices that leave no trace.

Will smart plugs increase my electricity bill?

Smart plugs draw a tiny amount of power themselves (about 1-2 watts when idle), which adds up to less than $1 per year per plug. However, smart plugs can actually save you money by cutting phantom power (the electricity devices draw when turned off but still plugged in). A TV, game console, and soundbar can draw 10-20 watts in standby mode. Scheduling a smart plug to cut power overnight saves more than the plug itself consumes. Net effect on your bill: roughly neutral to slightly positive.

Do I need WiFi for all these devices?

Most devices in this guide require WiFi for remote control (controlling from outside your home), app notifications, and voice control. However, many devices have limited offline functionality. Smart bulbs can still be controlled with a physical switch. The SwitchBot Lock Pro still works with your key and the physical thumb turn. The Aqara sensors can trigger local automations if you have a Matter-compatible hub like the Echo Dot, even without internet. For full functionality, you need a stable WiFi connection.

What if my apartment has thick walls?

Thick walls (common in older buildings) can weaken WiFi signals, causing devices to disconnect or respond slowly. Solutions: position your router centrally, add a WiFi range extender (about $20) in the area where devices are far from the router, or use a mesh WiFi system. Smart plugs and bulbs that operate on 2.4 GHz WiFi (which all of our picks do) typically have better range through walls than 5 GHz devices. If a device keeps dropping, a range extender placed halfway between the router and the device usually fixes it.

Can I take these devices when I move?

Absolutely. That is the entire point. Every device in this guide is portable and belongs to you. Smart plugs, bulbs, cameras, sensors, the Echo Dot, the SwitchBot Lock Pro, and the SwitchBot Curtain 3 all move with you to your next apartment. In fact, this is one of the biggest advantages of a renter-friendly smart home: you build your setup once and take it with you to every new place. No sunk costs, no leaving expensive hardware behind for the next tenant.

Are adhesive-mounted devices safe?

Yes, when used correctly. The 3M adhesive strips included with the Aqara sensors and SwitchBot Lock Pro are designed for this purpose and are rated to hold securely for years. The key is proper installation: clean the surface with rubbing alcohol before applying, press firmly for 30 seconds, and wait 24 hours before putting stress on the mount. The adhesive reaches full strength after 24 hours. When removing, heat with a hair dryer and pull slowly. Done correctly, adhesive mounts are completely safe and leave no damage.

Do I need a smart home hub?

For the minimum viable setup (smart plugs, bulbs, and an Echo Dot), the Echo Dot serves as your hub. Most devices in this guide connect directly to WiFi and do not require a separate hub. The Aqara sensor P2 uses Matter, which means it connects directly through the Echo Dot without an Aqara-specific hub. The SwitchBot Lock Pro and Curtain 3 work best with the SwitchBot Hub for voice control and remote access, but the Hub is a small, plug-in device that costs about $35. You do not need anything permanently installed.

Will these work with my existing smart speaker?

If you already have an Amazon Echo, Google Nest, or Apple HomePod, most devices in this guide will work with it. All our picks support Amazon Alexa. Most also support Google Assistant. The Aqara sensor P2 supports Apple Home via Matter. The Wyze devices work with both Alexa and Google. The SwitchBot devices work with Alexa and Google through the SwitchBot Hub. If you have an existing smart speaker, you can likely skip buying the Echo Dot and use what you already have.

What’s the total monthly cost after setup?

For most renters, the answer is zero. Every device in this guide works without a paid subscription. Smart plugs, bulbs, sensors, the Echo Dot, and the SwitchBot devices all offer full functionality with no monthly fee. The Wyze Cam v4 offers free cloud storage for 12-second clips (with a 5-minute cooldown) and supports local storage via microSD card. If you want continuous cloud recording or person detection on the camera, Wyze offers an optional Cam Plus subscription starting at $3 per month. This is optional, not required.

Can I install these without any technical knowledge?

Yes. This is by design. The most technically complex step in this entire guide is downloading an app and following on-screen instructions. Smart plugs: plug in and follow app prompts. Smart bulbs: screw in and follow app prompts. Camera: place on shelf and follow app prompts. Echo Dot: plug in and follow app prompts. The SwitchBot Lock Pro and Curtain 3 have slightly more involved installation, but both come with detailed instructions and take about 15 minutes each. If you can set up a new phone, you can set up every device in this guide.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Links in this article are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we have tested or thoroughly researched. This article is part of our renter-friendly smart home series, which includes our complete guide and our smart locks for renters review.