The Smart Home Gadgets For Renters Guide!

[@anthonygross123]

YES!!! Thanks for keeping us renting automators in mind in your videos! So hard to find other relevant videos from others, but you nailed it! Keep 'em coming!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oh great! Thanks for the encouragement!

[@mashehab]

I highly recommend those suggestions you made. I’m a renter and I’m using almost everything that you stated in your video especially that double sided tape. Smart plugs/bulbs, wyze/blink cams, myQ with amazon cloud cam for my garage Echo Dots, wyze sensors, smartthings hub/sensors and switchbot button press and their humidifier/thermostat combination along with their small hub The only exception/addition that you might wanna talk about in you future video is that I used “Third Reality” switches over my existing wall switches that works with smartthings hub and can be installed and removed easily as well as the ecobee smart thermostat with room occupancy sensors and some smart vents from Airtap in some rooms where I needed them to regulate the air flow pressure. Thanks Brian for truly being a good consultant throughout this journey!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Lots of folks talking about those Third Reality switches! Love it! Good stuff sir.

[@mashehab]

@@AutomateYourLife thank you, next I guess I’ll be going for the wyze door lock as you suggested. Many Thanks again

[@Slocko]

I live in a rented house. The smart wall switches have gotten so cheap, I have replaced most of mine. The TP Link KASA wall switches are very affordable and come in 3 packs. I like those because they come with wiring so all you need to do is wrap them with the existing wires using the provided caps and you are done. I can switch one out in like five-ten minutes. The KASA app is easy to use and once you set it up, any time you add an extra device, the Google home app automatically picks it up. No rescanning required.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I like the fact that you're good just doing that Hans! Good on ya man!

[@Slocko]

@@AutomateYourLife being able to say nite nite and have everything turn off and the thermostat lowered is priceless. Lol. Oh yeah I swapped out the doorbell and thermostat too. The day I move I will probably take everything with me, unless there are newer versions of nest thermostat and nest hello that are a lot better than what I currently have.

[@Slocko]

If you are renting a house with a chamberlain garage door opener, their inexpensive adapter turns it into a smart garage door opener. Very easy to set up and it's so light you don't need to mount it with screws. Using the double sided tape you introduced me to, I was able to secure it to the chamberlain itself.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Very good! MyQ works for lots of folks but I've really struggled getting it to work right in a couple places. I'm glad you've had success though!

[@Slocko]

@@AutomateYourLife the only thing I couldn't do was link it to Google Assistant. I couldn't find any menu option to link inside Google Assistant like the instructions called for. And it doesn't integrate with Google Home. But that's not a big deal to me. I suspect the linking feature applied to an old version of Google Assistant.

[@N2tech]

I love a smart home. I'm all in on Merkury Innovations that are sold at Walmart. It's 1/3 the price of the more expensive ones and they work flawlessly.

[@AutomateYourLife]

If your WiFi can hold on to all the devices, that's great! You'll be a bit limited on some other options heading down this route, but it's a great choice for many to get started.

[@EsotericArctos]

I know what you mean about WiFi networks. There are about 50 around me. That said, I tend to manually choose the channels and I set ZigBee to be 15 or above which is outside the WiFi range. I have found Philips Hue tends to set 15 by default here in Australia, but DeConz tried to use channel 11 so I moved that one pretty quick. I've seen similar double sided tape to that clear tape. I found it really good and surprisingly easy to clean off the wall when moving or removing a device. With the AirCon in the unit, I initially used a Zwave to IR controller, but I ended up going with a Broadlink RM Pro to control it. I found Broadlink was really easy to setup and configure.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oh that's a good one. Lots of folks using Broadlink to successfully control IR stuff. Thanks Brendan!

[@eFinchMovie]

You might consider the 3M Command brand of adhesives and velcro attachments. They really hang in there and can hold a lot of weight and are easily removable without damaging the paint/wall.

[@AutomateYourLife]

You know Roy...I know these work for most, but I had a really rough time getting some of these off and they actually ruined paint on me! I don't know if I did something wrong but...that's what happened to me :(

[@eFinchMovie]

@@AutomateYourLife that's interesting. It may have something to do with how long they stay up. I use them for seasonal decorations and don't have a problem with their removal. I have not tested the long term use and how easy/safe they are to remove. Guess I'll find out in the years to come...

[@AutomateYourLife]

I get the sense it was the length of time I left them. Funny thing was that it wasn't all of them. Just some!

[@Cee_Cee8]

i'm a renter in the UK and this was so informative. great video!!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

So glad!!

[@garethjones5068]

Another really useful video Brian, with many people in the UK living in privately rented accommodation this sort of information is especially useful. Just a shame those Wyze products aren't available over here. Think that's the first time I've mentioned that isn't it?!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey what??? Wyze isn't available there???😃😃😃

[@garethjones5068]

@@AutomateYourLife Yeah it's a shame someone from the UK doesn't mention it with monotonous regularity in your comments section

[@HeyTechi]

#ShareTheLove Coming back to post on this video which defined the beginnings of my smart home journey - So few content creators recognise the struggle that people in rented accommodation face when building a smart home. Thanks Brian ❤️

[@AutomateYourLife]

All the best!

[@brandontarabocchia756]

I got permission from my apartments manager to swap out my thermostat for a smart thermostat. I originally bought the echo bee but come to find out there was no C wire, could have added an adapter to the existing HVAC wiring, but I am not risking messing up my AC in the middle of an Arizona summer, so I ended up returning it and getting the simple Nest thermostat which works well. Only gripe with the nest is that it’s very simple in terms of the physical device itself and changing the temp on the physical thermostat is not pleasant, but I just adjust the temps on my phone anyways.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Nice insight, thanks!

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Really interesting video Brian! 😅

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks! 😃

[@carissam8718]

Have a link for the tape? ❤️

[@AutomateYourLife]

Ohh! This was the one I'd had linked, but you can use a large number of them Carissa - Double-Sided clear tape - geni.us/DoubleSidedTape (Amazon Affiliate Link)

[@jellyjenn12291]

can I use that lutron dial with other smart bulbs other than Hue?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey - so not as far as I've seen, sadly. Now...you CAN connect other bulbs into Hue, so that's an option! Check out the 3rd option in this video for an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKTclnWundxgl5Y

[@rexhoss]

I'd love to know more about how to use the switchbot button with a garage remote. I don't have usable electricity in my garage so triggering the garage door by switchbot would be great

[@AutomateYourLife]

There's not much to know rexhoss! The biggest thing is whether or not you can get the button pressed and if you can't, then you can affix something to the end of the SwitchBot. I also used this one here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5itoplsidV7npY

[@rexhoss]

@@AutomateYourLife thanks for the reply. I had seen that 3d printed piece for the garage opener but just not sure how to make something similar. That yolink device sounds very promising too though. I really appreciate your videos and willingness to answer people like me 😊

[@Xxbadxampl416xX]

Total side note but shout out to the blacklist! Amazing show

[@richarddickson482]

I also use the thirdreality switch for over my switches. I find it looks a little bulky but it works great with smartthings also. Have u had any further discussion with samsung. Can hardly find any of their devices now.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Nothing from them so far! Sadly :(

[@faengelm]

I also use those. They work really well www.amazon.com/dp/B07K3TRG6W/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_b40TFbD87T2PB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@earlsimpson333]

Thanks! This was the video for me.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oh great! Definitely a big request, so I'm glad people are finding worth in this video.

[@TheSledge77]

I live in an apartment. When inside my apartment, cellphones get little to know connectivity whereas when outside, they have full bars. I have other things that require wireless connections but those things are not connecting to my wifi even though my router is in the next room. Any idea why this is happening?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hard to say not being there, but probably materials in your building blocking if you go outside and get full bars. Odd though.

[@SpaceStrike]

Another thing, I’m moving into a new room, and thinking of painting a wall sky blue. My only concert is that I wanted to put my tv there and put some nice light strips behind it. Would the light blue on the wall make the ambient and bias lightning unoticable? When I’m to watch the my room is dark and I’d probualy only have that as my lighting for movies, but I didn’t want to ruin the effect. It’s a 40inch tv if that has anything to do with it

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think what you'll notice is some change, but not necessarily a bad thing! If you look at some of my older videos, the blue lights I put on my wall show more purple because of the actual color of the wall. That's the biggest thing you can expect. Didn't bug me in my old place, but if you're looking for color sync with movies...well...then I wouldn't. :)

[@dyejimmy]

I am here because a wonderful human named Paul Hibbert mentioned you in his latest vid. Subbed and sticking around.

[@AutomateYourLife]

That guy I tell ya! Well, welcome!😃😃

[@CarnivoreRonin]

Thanks for another cool video! I am sending this to my son who rents since he's away at college. He has some Wyze bulbs and plugs and a couple G home minis but he is often looking for more ways to automate, especially after visits my silly, automated home.😁

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's not a silly automated home! It's an amazing, automated life!

[@stevepowsinger733]

Lots of interesting ideas. I thought i had a good grasp of products out there but no. By the way, looking over the black Friday sales ads I see a lot of smart home devices available for the first time to a wide audience.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks Stephen! Yeah, I agree...this could be an explosion of smart home folks. Good thing I have a smart home for newbies video ready! :)

[@markiebee1971]

Hey Brian. Mark from Cape Town. Great content as usual. Thank you.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Mark! Hi from Canada buddy! Thank you!

[@SteveBays]

Hey Brian, what’s the double tape you use? Gorilla tape ?

[@AutomateYourLife]

There's a link in the description! It's all pretty much the same stuff. Use VERY little and you won't have issues taking it off.

[@ronm6585]

Good info Brian, thanks.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you Ron!

[@omaral-azzawi2266]

Great video most KZbinrs don't cover this situation and those smart companies are the same we need more options for renters, btw is there any cheaper solution than the Amazon peephole doorbell I saw the upcoming wyze doorbell but it's hardwired

[@AutomateYourLife]

I haven't seen another great option other than the Ring DoorView just because I like the idea that it's still attached to your door and isn't SO easy to steal. The Eufy Video Doorbell is what I've used in the past, just taped up. It works REALLY well and integrates well with Alexa. I can recommend that if you're comfortable doing that.

[@omaral-azzawi2266]

@@AutomateYourLife thank you so much 🙏 I'll check it out

[@Blackdog57]

Is there a way I can get echo dot to control my emerson tv without buying expensive Logitech hub? It's not a smart tv but do have a 4k firestick connected to it??🙏

[@AutomateYourLife]

That SwitchBot Hub Mini is perfect for you. You want an IR controller and then you can make all kinds of things happen with your voice.

[@Blackdog57]

@@AutomateYourLife Any ideas where to find one?

[@SpaceStrike]

@@Blackdog57 amazon kink in description

[@SomeIndoGuy]

hey I have a unique use case I think, I have multiple rooms that each has its own alexa that can control the lights and other devices specific to that room, but how do I completely isolate the alexa per room? Currently, as long as the smart devices are within the same network, alexa can discover devices in the other rooms and add them thus one room can mess with the other room's devices. I tried different amazon accounts per room but that still does not work, any other suggestion to completely isolate alexa per room?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think the problem is that you're connecting services to each of the Amazon accounts that includes devices from ALL the rooms. So in each Amazon account, disable the devices you don't want. :) Should be good at that point.

[@SomeIndoGuy]

@@AutomateYourLife if I understand you correctly: first, separate amazon account on each of the echo show. Second, after adding the devices of that one room, the echo show will still detect devices from the other rooms but disable them as they come online? I am guessing using disable using this method: www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GH7J6YW8GMWE7BZY did I get that right?

[@SpaceStrike]

I realized why your name is Brian. I just flip around the letters a bit then it spells Brain. You my sir are naturally smart. If anyone tells you anything rude or calls you a nerd, remember that’s the 4 letter way of saying cool.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Ahahahahhaha, you wouldn't believe how many times I get called Brain, nerd, cool, or $#%^! ;)

[@SpaceStrike]

@@AutomateYourLife ah man I’m sorry. Just remember that people will always have hate and you have to ignore it and keep going. Just don’t forget that there’s a difference between hate and criticism 😃!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Ahahahahaha oh it's all good! People are funny, and fun

[@cohenfa]

Switchbot is great for pressing an intercom button in an apartment, so you can buzz yourself in with your phone or ask Google/Alexa to buzz a guest in.

[@AutomateYourLife]

That's a great idea!!! I love that.

[@houstonshomeautomation3524]

Wait !4:20 is smart things pulling out of the hardware market ???

[@AutomateYourLife]

Missed one hey!? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGHLk6awmK6tY5I

[@tonytango6676]

It appears so. Highly annoying as their pricing was great here in Canada. I haven’t found much that’s less than twice as expensive.

[@philipperostin]

As a multiunits owner I will never authorize most of IOT things here in quebec because 99.9% of tenants do not put the appartement back in order when they leave! It's sad because it is in their leases but no one inforces it. So, well screw them.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Maybe you should add it for them!?

[@adelphia9999]

You should put links to your metroid shirts in the description 🤔🥰😏

[@AutomateYourLife]

I know right?? I would if I could...best shirts ever

[@berylwhite2983]

😀Another great video! But you in civilization... That is scary!This will bring wonderful things to civilization.Thanks for all the hard work and keep up the great job.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Right!? It's trouble if they let me move to a city...

[@tonytango6676]

Good luck on being able to find any empty Wi-Fi channels if you live in a apartment style building. Smile

[@AutomateYourLife]

lol you probably won't find an empty one, but you can likely find one that's low enough in terms of dBm to not cause interference.

[@PhillyDjHook]

Whoever hit the thumbs down button? *Dont Hate, Automate.*

[@AutomateYourLife]

RIGHT!?

[@constantinalexandrupatrauc6287]

I expected this video coming

[@AutomateYourLife]

I hope you weren't disappointed! Lots of requests for me to start talking about this situation. 😃

[@constantinalexandrupatrauc6287]

@@AutomateYourLife I'm not disappointed at all(beside this I live in a apartment so thank you)

[@SpaceStrike]

Also, you should do a fully smart home tour at 100k subs. Don’t worry that will come very soon so start cleaning up haha

[@AutomateYourLife]

:D We'll do a home tour when I get a new place! 100%

[@Weltfrieden_5]

Anyone else having issues with the Alexa app

[@PhillyDjHook]

I'm sure a ton of people are because, it's not Google.

[@BaronOfHell666]

You share a wall. Oh man can your neighbor hear you when you start the loving with your lady? Does he bang on the wall and scream at you to stop making babies? You should buy him some noise cancelling headphones.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Wyze Headphones, they're cheap!

[@mikaelbrresen983]

I thought you had a house?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Not for the last year! It's a rental, but it's looks a lot like a house :)