Smart Home and Security Device Addendum

What Does the Smart Home and Security Device Addendum Cover?

If your rental property includes smart-home or security equipment, you need to provide clear expectations about usage, monitoring, privacy, maintenance, damage, and account transfers. The Smart Home and Security Device Addendum helps landlords and tenants document the devices accessible at the rental unit and establish responsibilities for their use throughout the tenancy.

This customizable lease addendum:

• Covers smart locks, video doorbells, security cameras, alarm systems, thermostats, and other connected devices.
• Addresses account access and transfers, internet connectivity, routine maintenance, repairs, damage, equipment modifications, privacy, and the return of devices and access credentials at move-out.
• Clarifies expectations for tenant-controlled devices.
• Acknowledges that equipment may experience service interruptions or malfunctions.

Add this document to your lease agreement to help clarify responsibilities, reduce misunderstandings, and document how smart-home and security equipment will be managed during the tenancy.

What Is a Smart Home and Security Device Addendum?

A security device addendum is a document attached to a residential lease agreement to outline landlord and tenant responsibilities regarding smart home and security devices provided with a rental property.

It clarifies who is responsible for device access, account management, routine maintenance, repairs, and damage. It also addresses privacy, the use of monitoring features, internet connectivity, and how account information should be handled at move out.

If your rental property includes smart-home devices, you should use this addendum to avoid confusion and ensure transparency about the use and management of smart devices.

What Smart Home and Security Devices Does the Addendum Cover?

A smart home addendum can cover any smart or connected device. Landlords can customize the addendum to include the specific devices accessible at their rental property. That said, common devices covered by a smart home addendum include:

• Smart locks
• Smart doorbells
• Smart thermostats
• Smart lighting
• Security cameras
• Alarm systems
• Security sensors
• Garage-door controls
• Smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
• Smart water sensors
• Smart home hubs

How to Add a Security Device Addendum to Your Lease Agreement?

Landlords can customize a security device addendum and attach it as an addendum to the lease agreement. If you’re creating the addendum at the start of the tenancy, it’s easy to simply incorporate it as an addendum to your lease package. If you’re adding it during the tenancy, you can include language in the addendum stating that the addendum should be added to the lease terms and doesn’t otherwise change any terms of the lease agreement.

Here’s what you need to do to add a security device addendum to your lease:

• Include language stating that the addendum is incorporated into the lease agreement
• Ensure the language of the addendum is consistent with the lease language
• Ensure the addendum complies with applicable laws
• Have the landlord and tenant sign and date the addendum
• Keep a copy of the signed addendum with the lease agreement
• Provide the tenant with a copy of the executed lease agreement

If you create your lease with ezLandlordForms, you can attach a smart home device addendum or Surveillance Camera Addendum with just the click of a button.

Who Is Responsible for Maintaining Smart Devices in a Rental Property?

As a general rule, landlords are responsible for repairs to landlord-owned devices, while tenants handle maintenance and repairs for tenant-owned devices. However, these responsibilities can vary, and landlords should clearly outline smart device responsibilities in a lease addendum.

Can Tenants Install Their Own Smart Home or Security Devices?

Tenants may be able to install smart home or security devices. However, they should get written approval from landlords before installing a device. For landlords, It’s important to note that some states specifically grant tenants the right to install security devices. Landlords should review applicable laws before creating a policy for smart devices.

What Happens to Smart Device Accounts and Access Codes at Move-Out?

How smart devices and access codes are handled at move out depends on who owns the account and who has access to the accounts. Generally, tenants should transfer account access back to the landlord, and the landlord should change passwords and sign-in information.

Subscriptions should be transferred or cancelled and tenants should remove personal information from devices. Clear systems for move out ensure a smooth transition and protect a tenant’s personal information.

Create a Custom Smart Home and Security Device Addendum Online

Make it easier to manage smart-home and security devices in your rental property with ezLandlordForms’ Smart Home and Security Device Addendum. Customize the document to specify the equipment provided, clarify landlord and tenant responsibilities, and set expectations for device access, maintenance, privacy, and account transfers.

Create your addendum online in minutes, then incorporate it into your lease paperwork to ensure clear expectations and avoid disputes.