Renting doesn’t mean going without a video doorbell — but it does mean the standard advice (“just screw it to the frame and wire it to your chime”) is useless to you. The best video doorbell for renters in Australia runs on battery, mounts without a single hole, and comes with you when the lease ends.
This guide covers the renter-proof doorbells actually sold in Australia, the no-drill mounting options you can buy here, how to hear the chime without wiring, and the tenancy basics that protect your bond. Prices checked October 2026.
What renters actually need from a video doorbell
Before models, the requirements. A renter-friendly video doorbell must:
- Run on battery. Australian rentals essentially never have doorbell wiring, and you’re not paying an electrician for a property you don’t own.
- Mount without damage. No screws in the frame, no holes in the render. Adhesive or clamp mounts only.
- Be portable. When you move, it comes with you — so avoid anything that needs a wired chime or a hub screwed to the wall.
- Chime without wiring. Your phone is the chime, backed up by a smart speaker or plug-in chime if you want sound in every room.
Every pick below meets all four. See our wireless video doorbell guide for the broader battery-model field.
The best video doorbells for renters in Australia
1. Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) + No-Drill Mount — simplest renter setup
Price: $149 for the doorbell at ring.com/au (checked Oct 2026); the No-Drill Mount bundle is sold on ring.com/au.
This is the path of least resistance. The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) records in 2K with a head-to-toe view, and Ring sells an official No-Drill Mount: a bracket that fixes to the wall with strong weather-resistant adhesive — no screws, no holes, and it removes without damaging the property. Ring markets it explicitly for Australian renters and apartments. When the lease ends, peel it off and take the doorbell to the next place.
The trade-off is the subscription: without Ring Solo ($4.95/month) you get live view and motion alerts but no recorded history. If that bothers you, the eufy below is the answer.
2. eufy E340 — best no-subscription renter doorbell
Price: $349 at JB Hi-Fi, $347 at Bunnings (checked Oct 2026).
The E340 is battery-powered, records to built-in local storage with no monthly fee, and its dual cameras cover both faces and parcels — handy when you’re at work and the courier leaves things at the door. Mount it with a third-party adhesive bracket or a door-clamp mount (more below) and it’s fully renter-proof. It’s the priciest option here, but it’s also the only one with zero ongoing cost, which matters when you’re budgeting rent.
3. Arlo Essential 2K (2nd Gen) — cheapest renter doorbell
Price: $129 at The Good Guys and au.arlo.com (checked Oct 2026); seen as low as $79 on sale at JB Hi-Fi.
2K HDR video, 180° head-to-toe view, battery or wired — for $129 it’s the cheapest entry from a major brand, and it’s light enough for adhesive mounting. The catch for renters is the same as for everyone: the good detection features need Arlo Secure (from ~$7.99/month). On a tight rental budget, weigh that against the eufy’s one-time price. Our Ring vs Eufy vs Arlo comparison has the three-year maths.
4. Tapo D205 — best budget no-fee renter doorbell
Price: from ~$99 at Amazon AU (checked Oct 2026).
2K video, free person detection, local microSD storage, no subscription — and light enough that a quality adhesive mount holds it securely. The box even includes a 3M adhesive pad. For a renter who wants the job done for about a hundred dollars with nothing owing each month, this is the value pick.
5. Google Nest Doorbell (battery) — best for Google-household renters
Price: $329 at the Google Store AU, $278 at Harvey Norman (checked Oct 2026).
If your rental already has a Nest Hub or Nest Minis, this is the natural fit: presses ring through your speakers and the feed appears on the Hub. Battery-powered, no wiring, and the free tier includes on-device person/package/vehicle alerts. Adhesive-mount it like the others. The 1080p resolution is the compromise at this price.
How to mount a video doorbell with no drilling
You have three proven options in Australia:
- Adhesive no-drill mounts. Ring’s official No-Drill Mount (ring.com/au) uses weather-resistant adhesive rated for outdoor Australian conditions and removes cleanly. Third-party adhesive brackets on Amazon AU do the same job for eufy, Arlo and Tapo models. Clean the surface with the supplied wipe, press firmly, and give the adhesive its full cure time before hanging the doorbell — most failures come from rushing this step.
- Door-clamp mounts. Products like the DoorbellBoa hook over the top edge of the door itself — no tools, no adhesive, nothing touches the wall at all. They suit inward-swinging doors up to about 2 inches thick and come off in seconds when you move. The anti-theft design means the doorbell can only be removed while the door is open.
- Heavy-duty outdoor mounting tape. For the lightest models, industrial outdoor tape works, but it’s the least secure option and heat can weaken adhesives over an Australian summer. Prefer a proper mount.
One hard rule from Ring’s own guidance: adhesive mounts are not suitable for glass surfaces. If your rental has a glass panel beside the door, use a door-clamp mount or mount to the frame instead.
The chime problem — and four renter-friendly fixes
No wiring means no traditional chime. That surprises some first-time buyers, but the workarounds are easy:
- Your phone. Every doorbell here sends a rich notification with video preview when pressed. This is the default chime for most renters and it works fine.
- A smart speaker. An Echo device announces Ring presses; Google speakers chime for Nest. If you already own one, it’s free.
- A plug-in chime. Ring sells a plug-in Chime that pairs wirelessly — plug it into any power point, no wiring. eufy and Tapo offer similar add-ons or use a hub as a chime.
- A smart display. Echo Show or Nest Hub shows the live feed when someone presses — the closest thing to answering the door without getting up.
Tenancy basics: protect your bond
A quick word on the boring-but-important part. In Australia, your tenancy agreement almost certainly requires written landlord or property manager consent before you alter the property — and “alter” can include mounting hardware. Adhesive, damage-free mounting is the lowest-risk approach, but get permission in writing anyway. A one-line email approval costs nothing and protects your bond if there’s a dispute at final inspection.
Two more checks:
- Strata/body corporate: if you rent in an apartment or townhouse complex, the by-laws may restrict cameras or anything fixed to common property and external walls. Ask your property manager — this is the most common reason renter doorbell plans fall over.
- Intercom buildings: if your building already has an intercom, a video doorbell at your individual door may be redundant — or against building rules. Check first.
Also worth knowing: in most states, recording video of a public area like a shared hallway or the street is generally fine, but audio recording has stricter rules. A doorbell that records sound continuously in a shared apartment hallway deserves a moment’s thought — check your state’s surveillance laws if you’re unsure.
Apartment-specific tips
- Wi-Fi: apartment Wi-Fi can be congested. Most of these doorbells use 2.4GHz, which penetrates walls better than 5GHz — that’s actually an advantage in unit blocks. Test your phone’s Wi-Fi at the door before you buy; if it’s weak there, the doorbell will struggle too.
- Motion zones: set them tight. A doorbell facing a shared walkway will ping you every time a neighbour passes unless you narrow the detection zone to your own doorway.
- Privacy: angle the camera at your door, not into the neighbour’s. It’s courteous and it keeps you clear of complaints.
Renter doorbell setups: what each one really costs
Adding the mount and a chime solution changes the totals, so here’s the full renter setup cost for each pick:
| Setup | Doorbell | Mount | Chime fix | All-in cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Battery + No-Drill Mount | $149 | Included in bundle | Phone (free) or Echo you own | $149 |
| eufy E340 + adhesive mount | $347–$349 | ~$20–$30 (third-party) | Phone (free) | ~$370–$380 |
| Arlo Essential 2K + adhesive mount | $129 | ~$20–$30 (third-party) | Phone (free) | ~$150–$160 |
| Tapo D205 + adhesive pad | ~$99 | Included (3M pad in box) | Phone (free) | ~$99 |
| Nest battery + adhesive mount | $278–$329 | ~$20–$30 (third-party) | Nest Mini you own (free) | ~$300–$360 |
Mount prices are typical Amazon AU/third-party figures — they move around, so treat them as indicative. The point stands: a complete renter setup starts under $100 with the Tapo and tops out under $400 with the eufy, with no electrician and no holes in anything.
Moving day: taking your doorbell with you
This is the part owners never think about and renters should plan for from day one. A battery doorbell on an adhesive or clamp mount moves with you in minutes:
- Remove the mount cleanly. Adhesive mounts release with steady, slow pulling (or dental floss worked behind the pad for stubborn ones). Door-clamp mounts lift straight off. Clean any residue with eucalyptus oil or adhesive remover — don’t leave it for the final inspection.
- Factory-reset before you hand back the keys. Remove the doorbell from your app account and reset it, so the next tenant can’t access your footage or account. This takes two minutes and people forget it constantly.
- Photograph the door frame at install and removal. If there’s ever a bond dispute about marks, before-and-after photos end the argument.
- Reinstall at the next place the same day. That’s the beauty of the setup — new adhesive pad, same doorbell, fifteen minutes, done.
One more tip: keep the original box. It protects the doorbell in the move and makes the whole thing feel intentional rather than improvised when you reinstall.
What if the landlord says no?
It happens — usually in strata buildings where the by-laws prohibit anything on common property, not because of the doorbell itself. You still have options:
- Propose adhesive-only in writing. Many “no” answers assume drilling. A short email explaining “battery-powered, adhesive mount, no holes, removed at end of lease, photos before and after” flips a surprising number of them.
- Mount inside the doorway. A small indoor camera on a shelf facing the entry gives you a record of who comes in — no exterior mounting at all. It’s not a doorbell, but for unit entries it covers the security angle.
- Use the intercom you already have. Many apartment buildings have video intercoms tenants forget about. Check whether yours has an app — you might already own the solution.
Whatever you do, don’t install first and ask later. A bond dispute costs far more than any doorbell.
Frequently asked questions
Can renters install a video doorbell in Australia?
Yes. Battery-powered video doorbells mounted with adhesive no-drill mounts or door-clamp mounts require no drilling, no wiring and no permanent changes, so they suit rentals. Check your tenancy agreement and get written permission from your landlord or property manager before installing anything, even adhesive mounts.
How do you mount a video doorbell without drilling?
Three options: (1) an adhesive no-drill mount such as Ring’s official No-Drill Mount, which uses strong weather-resistant adhesive and removes without damage; (2) a door-clamp mount (e.g. DoorbellBoa style) that hooks over the top of the door with no tools; (3) heavy-duty outdoor mounting tape for lightweight models. None are suitable for glass surfaces.
What is the best video doorbell for apartment renters in Australia?
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen, $149) paired with Ring’s No-Drill Mount is the simplest renter setup — battery powered, removable, and you take it when you move. The eufy E340 ($347–$349) is the best no-subscription option for renters, and the Arlo Essential 2K ($129) is the cheapest way in.
Do I need my landlord’s permission for a video doorbell?
In Australia you should check your tenancy agreement and get written permission before making any changes to the property, including mounting hardware. Adhesive, damage-free mounts are the lowest-risk option, but permission in writing protects your bond. If you live in a strata or body-corporate building, check the by-laws too — common areas and external walls are often off-limits.
Prices checked October 2026 at ring.com/au, JB Hi-Fi, Bunnings, The Good Guys, au.arlo.com, Harvey Norman, the Google Store AU and Amazon AU. This is general information, not legal advice — tenancy rules vary by state, so check your agreement and local legislation. Compare all models in our best video doorbells Australia 2026 roundup. External reference: Ring Australia’s official No-Drill Mount bundle page.