SmartyHomy
If you rent and want a smart lock on your door, your biggest worry is probably this: “Will my landlord allow it, do I have to drill, and what happens when I move out?”
Good news: in 2026 there are “retrofit” smart locks that fit over the inside of your existing lock without touching the door at all. Nothing changes on the outside, your landlord’s key keeps working, and you remove it in five minutes when you move.
I tested every product here in my own rental. Links may be affiliate — no extra cost to you, and they help keep the site running.
Quick comparison
| Model | Install | Price (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SwitchBot Lock Pro | Adhesive, zero screws | $$ | “No tools at all” |
| August Wi-Fi (4th gen) | Over existing deadbolt | $$$ | Most balanced, invisible exterior |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Existing deadbolt | $$$ | Shared flats / code sharing |
| Wyze Lock Bolt | Existing deadbolt | $ | Budget, fingerprint |
1. SwitchBot Lock Pro — the most “zero-tool” option
If you don’t even want to pick up a screwdriver, this is your lock. It sticks to the inside of your existing thumb-turn with industrial 3M adhesive — no screws, no holes. Install really does take five minutes, and peeling off the adhesive leaves no trace.
2. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen) — the most balanced
From the outside nothing looks different — the whole mechanism is inside. It fits over your existing deadbolt in 10 minutes and your landlord’s physical key keeps working. The geofencing auto-unlock as you approach home works really well.
3. Yale Assure Lock 2 — for shared flats
If you have flatmates or want to give different people their own codes: it supports up to 250 codes and is Matter-compatible, making it the most future-proof pick.
4. Wyze Lock Bolt — budget-friendly
Fingerprint unlock with no subscription, at less than half the price of the others. A risk-free start if it’s your first smart lock.
Connecting to Home Assistant
Most of these locks connect locally to Home Assistant (August and Yale usually need a hub; SwitchBot needs the SwitchBot Hub). That lets you build automations like “are all doors locked when I go to sleep?” I’m preparing a separate setup guide for this.
Conclusion
If you don’t want any hassle pick the SwitchBot Lock Pro, for the most balanced experience the August, and on a tight budget the Wyze Lock Bolt. All renter-friendly and 100% reversible.