Home security for renters: a no-drill setup under $150
Updated 24 July 2026 · 7 min read
Renting shouldn't mean going without security. The catch is that most "home security" advice assumes you can screw things into door frames and walls — which risks your bond. This guide sticks to renter-friendly gear: everything here installs without a drill, comes off cleanly when you move, and covers the three ways intruders actually get in — the front door, the windows, and the sliding door.
Start with the front door
Most break-ins are quick and opportunistic, and the front door is the first test. You don't need to replace the lock — you need to make the door harder to force and to alert you if someone tries. A floor-mounted security bar braces the door against being kicked in, a portable travel lock adds a second point of resistance you control from inside, and a door alarm makes noise the instant the door is opened.
All three are tool-free, tenant-safe, and pack up in a drawer when you leave.
Lock down the windows and sliding door
Windows and sliding doors are the quiet way in. Track locks stop a sliding window or door from being levered open — they clamp on without screws and adjust to the gap. Contact alarms are magnetic sensors that chirp loudly the moment a window or door is opened, which is often enough to send an opportunist running.
Fit track locks to every accessible sliding window and the patio door, and put contact alarms on the windows a person could reach from ground level.
Add eyes you can check from your phone
A small WiFi camera lets you see what's happening whether you're home or not, and the footage is a real help if anything does happen. Choose a magnetic or free-standing model so there's nothing to mount — sit it on a shelf facing the entry. Motion alerts go straight to your phone.
The shortcut: a no-drill kit
If you'd rather not assemble it piece by piece, our Renter's No-Drill Security Kit bundles the core door-and-window essentials together at a lower price than buying them separately — a complete, damage-free starting point that covers the main entry points in one go.
Frequently asked
Will any of this damage my rental or risk my bond?
No. Everything here is designed to be tool-free and removable — braces, portable locks, clamp-on track locks, stick-on sensors and free-standing cameras. Nothing needs screws or leaves marks, so it all comes off cleanly at the end of your lease.
Do I need my landlord's permission?
For removable, non-permanent devices like these, generally no — you're not altering the property. If you ever want to change the actual door lock, that's a conversation with your landlord or agent first.
What should I secure first on a tight budget?
Start with the front door: a door brace plus a door alarm covers the most likely entry point for the least money. Add window track locks next, then a camera.
Shop the range
Everything you need, all under $50
Browse the full rangeThis guide is general safety information, not professional advice. For gas, electrical or structural work, use a licensed Australian tradesperson. Safety devices reduce risk but never remove it.