Renters — smart locks that don't touch the landlord's hardware

Updated: 2026-08-23.

A renter-safe smart lock replaces or covers only the INTERIOR side of the

existing deadbolt. The exterior keyed hardware stays exactly as installed, your

original keys keep working, and the unit uninstalls cleanly at move-out. What

to check before buying:

• Existing deadbolt required. Retrofit locks rotate your existing

thumbturn; if the door has no deadbolt these products don't apply.

• Thumbturn clearance. The interior thumbturn needs ~1.5–2 in of clearance

from the door edge/trim for the motor unit to mount.

• Door thickness. Most retrofits fit standard 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 in doors;

verify against the manufacturer's fit range.

• Lease terms. Interior-only installation is usually reversible and

deposit-safe, but confirm your lease allows it.

Full deadbolt replacements (Schlage, Yale, Ultraloq, Level Pro, Wyze) change

the bored hardware and are NOT renter-safe despite being excellent owner locks.