Are Ring Doorbells Allowed In Apartments?

Ring doorbells are generally allowed in apartments as long as management doesn’t ban them and they don’t invade your neighbor’s privacy. Landlords reserve the right to enforce certain rules and restrictions for tenants which may include banning Ring and other surveillance type devices. These rules will be outlined in your lease agreement. Make sure you thoroughly read the lease or ask whether or not Ring Doorbells are allowed in the building before you sign. Some apartment complexes allow them while others do not. Luckily for tenants who are not allowed to install the device, a Ring Peephole Cam with Chime is a suitable alternative.

Then there’s the problem of installation to consider. Even if you’re technically allowed to install a Ring Doorbell in your apartment, they may not want you drilling installation holes in the wall. Ring Doorbell is installed by first screwing a mounting plate into the wall and then securing the Doorbell to the mount. If the apartment won’t allow you to drill holes in the exterior wall then you can’t install the Ring. But there are some alternatives.

If you’re apartment doesn’t allow you to drill holes, consider using a Ring Peephole Cam, Ring’s No-Drill Mount or an Anti-Theft Ring Mount that attaches to the edge of a storm door.

In this article, we’ll discuss the Ring Peephole Cam and how to install it, along with so no drill options for installing a Ring Doorbell.

Do Apartments Allow Ring Doorbells

Before installing a Ring Doorbell or drilling holes into your apartment walls, check with your landlord to see if it’s allowed. Read your lease agreement or ask management about the rules. And check you local and State rules too. In some areas a Ring Doorbell in an apartment may be seen as a privacy concern because the live video can be used to watch someone else’s apartment.

I wouldn’t install a Ring Doorbell until making sure your apartment complex allows it.

Most apartment lease agreements prevent you from installing fixtures or altering the exterior of the building in any way. And unfortunately, a Ring Doorbell is usually considered a fixture and an alteration because it involves drilling holes into the building’s facade.

However, here’s an article we published explaining how you can install a Ring Doorbell without doing any drilling. This may help you install the Ring in your apartment without breaking any rules.

If you have an existing doorbell box which can be removed and replaced with a Ring Doorbell then you may be able to install one with the existing screw holes.

Ask maintenance to install the Ring Doorbell for you if they allow it. If you install it yourself and something gets damaged they may hold you responsible.

There are ways to install a Ring Doorbell without drilling holes or using screws. These include:

• Ring No-Drill Mount
• A third party No-Theft Mount
• Ring Peephole Cam

If your apartment allows the Ring Doorbell but doesn’t allow you to drill holes in the building, one of the above methods may work.

Keep in mind that mounting a Ring Doorbell without screws makes them very easy to steal since you can rip them right off the wall at any time.

Privacy Concerns Of Ring Doorbells In Apartments

Many apartments and building associations don’t allow external modifications to your home with what they consider to be a surveillance device. Things like cameras and listening devices are seen by some as a violation of privacy. And this sometimes includes a Ring Doorbell.

Since condominiums and apartments are located so close to one another, a Ring Doorbell can pick up audio and video from the neighbors front door. They can also pick up audio and video from surrounding shared spaces and in some cases inside other units when the door is open. This can be considered a violation of your neighbor’s privacy rights if they feel like they’re being spied on.

The main privacy concern surrounding video doorbells are the live video and two way audio functions. You’ll receive notifications if the device detects activity, and can then use the live feed to spy on others.

Ring’s terms of service states that users are solely responsible for all content that is uploaded, posted, emailed, transmitted, or otherwise disseminated using, or in connection with, the products or services.

If your apartment is in close proximity to the neighbors, you can adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor to only pickup people right in front of your door through the door view cam. This helps prevent taking video of people simply walking in the hall, but it won’t help if the neighbors door is adjacent to yours.

Ring Doorbell is definitely a privacy concern when installed in an apartment. I wouldn’t install one without the permission of the landlord, and I’d speak with the neighbor to see if they have an issue with it.

Ring Peephole Cam is a little bit better of an option, which I’ll discuss later in the article.

Ring Peephole Cam

A Ring Peephole Cam is a great door view cam for renters who aren’t allowed to install a Ring Doorbell. It attaches to the peephole on a front door and does not require drilling or screws. The Ring Door Peephole Cam delivers live high-definition video and audio with the same basic features as Ring’s other doorbells.

The battery-operated unit is small and comes in two parts.

• The outside half resembles a Ring Video Doorbell Pro. However it has two lenses instead of one. The top lens is a conventional peephole door view cam while the bottom one is a video camera.
• The indoor half of the device has the viewing lens for the peephole and holds the battery.

The great thing about the Ring Peephole Cam is that you can still use it just like an old fashioned peephole.

Ring Peephole cam works the same way as a Ring Doorbell. When someone presses the doorbell button or the camera senses movement, you’ll get an alert from the Ring app on your phone. The app shows a live view from the doorbell and allows two-way talk with whomever is at your door. And it even works when your not home.

• There’s also an impact sensor built in for knock detection so you’ll be alerted if someone knocks on the door instead of pressing the bell button.
• The Peephole Cam includes motion detection, night vision and privacy zones.
• The battery life is really good so you only have to charge the rechargeable battery about once a year.
• Doesn’t require professional installation.

Privacy zones allow users to specify certain areas in the camera’s view that don’t trigger recordings or surveillance. This includes a neighbors adjacent door. The feature may answer potential privacy regulations that exist in the building.

How To Install Ring Peephole Camera

Ring Peephole Camera is my favorite door view cam on the market. I use it on my own apartment because my building doesn’t allow a Ring Doorbell. It installs over an existing door peephole. So if you don’t have a peephole you unfortunately can’t install it. Installation requires unscrewing the existing peephole and slotting the Ring Cam in its place.

Installing the Ring Peephole Cam only takes a few minutes and does no damage to the door. Drilling is not required.

To put the Ring camera over your peephole, follow these simple steps:

1. Charge The Battery:Fully charge the battery by plugging it into a USB port or power supply. When only the green light is lit, it’s fully charged.
2. Remove The Existing Peephole: Ring includes the tools you’ll need to do it.
3. Install The Camera: Insert the outdoor assembly through the peephole until the cam is against the door. If the hole is too big, use the adapter.
4. Install The Assembly: Next, install the assembly. This part goes on the inside of the door.
5. Connect The Tube & Wire. Both should be connected to the battery on the inside of the door.
6. Battery Install: Once both the camera and assembly are in place, insert the fully charged battery.
7. Scan QR Code. The battery will have a QR code to scan with your phone. It will automatically take you to the Ring Home App. Open the Ring app –> Set up a device –> Doorbells –> Follow instructions
8. Set Up An Account. The Ring app should take you through the installation steps.

Keep in mind that the Ring Peephole Cam is a wireless device and needs both an internet connection and WiFi to work. However, most Ring Doorbells will work with a mobile hotspot.

Ring Chime

A Ring Peephole Cam and Ring Doorbell will send your phone an alert when someone rings the bell or it senses motion. But it won’t make a doorbell chime sound. For that you need a Ring Chime.

A Ring Chime is a wireless device that pairs with your Ring Doorbell or Peephole Cam. It installs inside the house and chimes when the Ring is activated. If you want your Ring Device to make noise inside the house like a regular doorbell, I suggest installing one.

Like the Ring Doorbell and Peephole Camera, Ring Chime is wireless. So you need both internet and WiFi to use it. You install and pair it with your Ring Device by using the Ring App on your phone.

Some Ring doorbells will work with the existing chime in the apartment, but some won’t. Click the link to find out more because we have an entire article on the topic.

Are Ring Doorbells Illegal In Apartments?

Ring doorbells are generally not illegal to use in apartments as long as management doesn’t ban them and they don’t invade your neighbor’s privacy. Management reserve the right to enforce certain rules and restrictions for tenants which may include banning Ring and other surveillance type devices.

These rules will be outlined in your lease agreement. Make sure you thoroughly read the lease before you sign. Or ask your landlord. Some apartment complexes allow them and some don’t. But I’ve never heard of any State or Federal laws that ban them.

One of the best apartment doorbells is the Ring Peephole cam because it installs over the existing peephole in your apartment door.

There are two main problems with Ring Doorbells and apartments, privacy and installation.

• Privacy: Ring Video Doorbells are a type of surveillance device. They can potentially activate and record your neighbors as they come and go. And they may even see into their apartments. This may violate privacy laws in some areas making them illegal to use in an apartment, rental, condo, townhouse, etc. Check with your landlord before installing one.
• Installation: Ring Doorbells are secured to the outside of a building with screws. This generally requires drilling which leaves a permanent hole in the wall. Most rentals don’t allow alterations to the outside of the building. But there are alternatives like the Ring Peephole Cam, Ring No-Drill Mount and third party No-Theft Mounts.

If your building doesn’t allow Ring Doorbells, consider a Ring Peephole Cam instead. They’re a great alternative that works just like a Ring Doorbell. But they don;t require drilling or screws and have privacy settings. But they do require an existing peephole so they don’t work on every front door.

Ring For Apartments Without Peephole

If you live in an apartment without a peephole in your front door then you can’t install a Ring Peephole Cam. And if your not allowed to install a Ring Doorbell because it screws into the building, what can you do?

If you have a storm door that locks, consider installing a No-Theft Ring Mount.

The No-Theft Ring Mount is manufactured by a third party and not Ring. They install on the edge of a storm door and tighten from the inside using an adjustable knob. They stay secure to the door with pressure rather using adhesives or screws.

As long as the storm door is locked, thieves won’t be able to steal the Ring without breaking the door or lock. This makes them more secure than Ring’s No-Drill Mount which is attached to the building with two sided tape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about Ring Devices and rentals.

Are Ring Doorbells Allowed In Condos?

Ring Doorbells are allowed in condos as long as you get the managers permission, they don’t violate the lease or local privacy regulations. Get permission before you drill hole in the building’s facade. A great alternative for condos is the Ring Peephole Cam. It doesn’t require any drilling and won’t damage the condo. And it has privacy settings which may help comply with privacy regulations.

Are Peephole Cameras Legal?

A peephole camera is generally allowed as long as it doesn’t violate your building’s privacy regulations. The Ring Peephole Cam comes with privacy settings that can help. Set it so that it only detects people at your own door and not the neighbors.

Can You Install Ring Cameras In A Rental Apartment?

Ring Cameras are allowed in a rental as long as you get the managers permission, they don’t violate the lease or local privacy regulations. Get permission before you drill hole in the building’s facade. A great alternative for a rental is the Ring Peephole Cam. It doesn’t require any drilling and won’t damage the building. And it has privacy settings which may help comply with privacy regulations.

Does The Ring Peephole Cam Work Without A Peephole?

No. The Ring Peephole Cam requires an existing peephole. Or you have to drill a new peephole into your door. But either way, it requires a hole drilled through the door in order to mount it.

What’s The Best Wireless Doorbell For An Apartment?

The latest doorbell technology makes it easier than ever to monitor and secure the front door of your apartment. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Peephole Camera Doorbell are among our top picks for the best wireless apartment doorbell. They both have a sleek and modern design that’s easy to install in tight spaces like an apartment. Their cameras are fantastic with HD video and night vision. And you get all the standard features of top notch video doorbells like real-time video and two-way talk.

• If you want a tradition video doorbell next to the door, go with a Ring Video Doorbell 3. It has more advanced features and sensors vs the peephole camera.
• The Ring Peephole Doorbell is better if your apartment building doesn’t allow a full size Ring Doorbell. However, you need an existing peephole to use one.

Click the link to read our full article on The Best Wireless Doorbells For Apartments.

Summary: Are Ring Doorbells Allowed In Apartments?

Ring doorbells are generally allowed in apartments as long as management doesn’t ban them and they don’t invade your neighbor’s privacy. Landlords reserve the right to enforce certain rules and restrictions for tenants which may include banning Ring and other surveillance type devices. These rules will be outlined in your lease agreement. Make sure you thoroughly read the lease or ask whether or not Ring Doorbells are allowed in the building before you sign. Some apartment complexes allow them while others do not. Luckily for tenants who are not allowed to install the device, a Ring Peephole Cam with Chime is a suitable alternative.

Then there’s the problem of installation to consider. Even if you’re technically allowed to install a Ring Doorbell in your apartment, they may not want you drilling installation holes in the wall. Ring Doorbell is installed by first screwing a mounting plate into the wall and then securing the Doorbell to the mount. If the apartment won’t allow you to drill holes in the exterior wall then you can’t install the Ring. But there are some alternatives.

If you’re apartment doesn’t allow you to drill holes, consider using a Ring Peephole Cam, Ring’s No-Drill Mount or an Anti-Theft Ring Mount that attaches to the edge of a storm door.

If you have any questions about Ring Devices, email any time.