How to Choose Smart Home-Equipped Rentals—Creating Comfortable Spaces Where IoT Transforms Your Daily Life
Smart home-equipped rentals with parcel lockers, smart locks, and home security systems are becoming increasingly common. This article explains the types of equipment available, how to choose the right features, and how to make the most of them after moving in.
Digital transformation of rental housing is advancing rapidly. Smart locks, IoT-enabled air conditioning, parcel lockers, and facial recognition auto-locks—equipment that once existed only in luxury apartments—are now spreading to standard rental properties. These smart home features enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency, and have the power to significantly transform daily life.
On the other hand, many people have questions: "Which equipment do I really need?" and "Is it cost-effective?" This column provides a detailed explanation of the characteristics of major smart home features and the key checkpoints to consider when selecting a rental property.
Parcel Lockers—A Necessity for Today's Busy Lifestyle
With the widespread adoption of online shopping, the challenge of receiving packages has become a common problem for many residents. Redelivery is a burden for both delivery companies and recipients, and improvements are needed from a societal cost perspective. Parcel lockers are facilities that safely store packages while you're away, significantly reducing the hassle of redelivery.
Parcel lockers are broadly divided into two types: "mechanical (combination locks)" and "electronic (IC card or smartphone-linked)." Electronic models offer higher security and include notifications via app or email when packages arrive. Additionally, more properties are introducing refrigerated or frozen parcel lockers, which are especially useful for those who order food online or use fresh grocery delivery services.
When choosing a property, be sure to check whether "parcel lockers are installed in sufficient numbers relative to the total number of units." A general guideline is that units equal to about 30% of the total number of apartments offer good usability. Additionally, whether the lockers integrate with the management company's app significantly affects user experience.
Smart Locks—Fundamentally Changing How Keys Work
Smart locks are systems that allow you to control the lock using a smartphone, IC card, passcode, and other methods. Because you no longer need to carry physical keys, the risk of losing your keys drops to zero. When multiple people live together, you can set different unlock methods for each household member. Additionally, a record of who entered and when remains, making it superior from a security management perspective.
Rental properties have two types of smart locks: "those installed as standard equipment by the management company" and "those installed by residents as add-ons." When included as standard equipment, the cost is usually covered in the maintenance fee, and the management company handles maintenance. For add-on installations, restoration to original condition is typically required at move-out. Installing without the management company's permission constitutes a contract violation, so be sure to confirm this during your viewing and before signing the lease.
Also, most smart locks are battery-operated, so it's reassuring to understand in advance what happens if the battery dies (such as whether an emergency physical key is available).
IoT-Enabled Air Conditioning and Lighting—Achieving Comfort and Energy Efficiency Simultaneously
More and more modern apartments offer the ability to control air conditioners, lights, and ventilation fans collectively via smartphone app or voice assistant. The biggest advantage of IoT-enabled air conditioning is that you can "turn it on from your smartphone an hour before arriving home" and "check and control whether you've forgotten to turn it off from anywhere." This also leads to reduced electricity bills, and the experience of coming home to a perfectly comfortable temperature in summer and winter is something you won't want to give up once you've tried it.
Smart lighting can be turned on and off from anywhere and is also used as a security feature to "make it appear the lights are on." Many models offer timer settings and brightness adjustment, allowing you to create automated control that matches your daily routine.
As of 2026, these IoT systems are becoming more common, particularly in newly built and recently constructed properties in urban areas, but installations remain limited. If you prioritize smart home features, combining search criteria such as "built within the last 5 years" and "within walking distance of major stations in urban areas" will make them easier to find.
Home Security and Security Cameras
Security for rentals must be considered from both angles: the equipment and systems of the entire property and the measures taken by residents themselves.
Equipment to check as part of overall property security includes the type of auto-lock (facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, or IC card), the placement and number of security cameras, and elevator security settings (such as specifications where the elevator won't stop at certain floors without a card key). The level of security also varies depending on whether the property has on-site management staff or only patrol security.
Individual residents can add measures such as installing a smart doorbell (video intercom) or adding supplementary locks to windows. However, since these may require management company approval or landlord permission, confirming during your viewing whether "add-on equipment installation is permitted" can prevent future problems.
How to Find Smart Home-Equipped Rentals and What to Look for During Viewings
On property portals, you can narrow your search using keywords such as "smart lock," "parcel locker," and "IoT-enabled." However, even if equipment is not listed in the posting information, it may actually be present, so contacting the real estate company directly is also effective.
During your viewing, always confirm that the equipment is actually functioning. For smart locks, check the battery level and what to do in case of an emergency; for IoT systems, verify the app download and initial setup procedures. This will prevent problems after moving in. Additionally, since Wi-Fi and communication environments can affect how smart home equipment operates, we recommend also checking the property's internet connectivity.
Maintenance Costs and Reviewing Contract Details
Properties with comprehensive smart home equipment typically have rents that are about ¥1,000–¥5,000 higher per month compared to standard properties with similar conditions. Additionally, separate monthly charges may apply for security services or app usage fees.
Before signing the lease, clearly confirm which services are "included in the maintenance fee and common service fee" and which services "require separate charges." You also need to verify in the lease agreement and important disclosure documents who is responsible for repairs if equipment fails (landlord or tenant). Battery replacement for smart locks typically falls to residents, but repairs to the system itself are almost always the landlord's responsibility.
Smart home equipment enhances your quality of life so much that once you experience it, you won't want to do without it. By adding "equipment comprehensiveness" as an important consideration when searching for properties, you'll significantly increase your chances of finding a home that offers convenience, safety, and energy efficiency all in one. We encourage you to use this guide in choosing your next home.
