For anyone who’s thought of taking a try at running an Airbnb, smart devices are practically non-negotiable. With a modest investment in the right collection of gadgets, you can monitor your property in real time in a number of useful, potentially life-saving ways that otherwise would be impossible or too onerous to keep up with. And, most crucially, you can do all of this while preserving privacy and being transparent about it with renters—without coming off as some peeping Tom creep. (And, just to note, Airbnb has specific policies about using recording devices.)
I ran my own short-term rental for nearly a decade (I gave it up with local laws changed) and found this small collection of devices to be all but foolproof, providing convenience to my guests while giving me peace of mind.
Outdoor camera
The only device I used that could reasonably be interpreted as “snooping” was an outdoor camera that covered the entrance to our rental unit. (I used a Google Nest camera, because I like that it records 24/7, but there are plenty of good options.) To prevent suspicion, I installed the camera out in the open, rather than trying to hide it.
An outdoor camera is essential because it helps deter unwanted visitors—including package thieves—and also lets you keep tabs on who comes and goes into your rental. Unlike a non-smart camera, a smart camera can be set up to send notifications right to your phone whenever someone crosses its line of sight. This is great: Over time I caught bikes and packages being stolen, and also discovered extra guests being snuck in (whether you want to bust someone or not is up to you).
Smart lock
Rather than having to make endless copies of keys, which can be lost or stolen, I installed a smart lock with a keypad. That way I can create a unique PIN code for anyone who is visiting, and I can have the code expire when they leave. Guests love it because they let themselves in without having to arrange a meeting with me, and they don’t have to worry about losing a key.
Unlike with a non-smart keypad model, with a smart one I get notifications whenever the lock is triggered. And I can let someone in, or alter or delete passcodes remotely, at any time from anywhere. I have tried too many smart locks to count—I write our guide to the best smart locks. I recommend the Schlage Encode because it’s reliable, basic, nearly foolproof, and affordable, especially since it has built-in Wi-Fi.
Smoke detector
There’s no more important appliance in a house than a smoke detector, and we think a smart version should be in every home—that goes double for a rental unit. Unlike “dumb” smoke detectors, a smart one warns you verbally before it sounds its alarm, so renters have time to mute it before they get shrieked at.
As a landlord, I liked that I got notified on my phone the instant an alarm was triggered, so I could reach out and confirm it’s just burnt toast and not a real fire or short circuit smoldering in the wall. Though it’s pricey, the Google Nest Protect lasts for 10 years and has no comparable competition. It has loads of useful features, like a motion-activated night-light and built-in self-testing.
Smart bulbs
Having a well-lit entrance is essential for everyone’s safety and comfort. I found that when I let renters have control of the outdoor light, they’d invariably turn it off and then arrive back to a pitch-black home, or leave it on 24/7.
A smart bulb fixes that instantly: I screwed in a model that has built-in Wi-Fi and then used its app to set up a daily schedule, so that it turns on at sunset and off at sunrise. I also have the ability to dim it, so it’s not a bothersome beacon that annoys the renter or my neighbors. The WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb lets you tune the color to not be ugly. (To prevent the renter from messing up the schedule, I uninstalled the light switch and covered up the outlet box with a plate.)
Smart thermostat
It’s nice to let renters have control of the heat and/or AC (we actually have window units). But that can go horribly wrong when they either don’t understand the principles of HVAC or, often, don’t understand the difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius and end up boiling or freezing.
Using a Nest Learning Thermostat, I can opt to lock the controls if need be, or let renters adjust the temperature within a specified range while still being prevented from fiddling with any of the heating settings and hosing my system. I can also set it so the heat goes off when no one is home, since the thermostat has an occupancy sensor built in. And I can toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius as needed, without having to worry that the heat was left on high and it’s now hot enough to bake a pizza.
