When retrofitting a smart lock to a rental property, learn whether management company permission is required and what your restoration-to-original-condition obligations are upon move-out. We explain how to obtain permission, recommend products, and highlight practical safety benefits for foreign residents.
Reviewed by: Nobuyuki MoriPresident, M-Assets Co., Ltd. / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist (Miyagi #018212)
Smart locks (electronic locks that can be locked and unlocked via smartphone) offer high convenience and multiple features, such as checking the lock status while away and issuing temporary access codes for guests. While some smart locks can be retrofitted to rental properties, it is important to understand whether you need approval from your property management company or landlord before installation.
A practical guide covering whether you can install add-on fixtures (water purifiers, dishwashers, bidet seats) in rental homes, how to get permission, and how to handle restoration to original condition when moving out—making it easy to improve your quality of life.
Japanese share houses offer many advantages for foreigners, including low initial costs and no guarantor requirements, but cultural differences and language barriers can also lead to troubles. A real estate professional explains the benefits and drawbacks based on actual cases, providing thorough guidance from move-in considerations to exit checklists.
Social residences offer international communities and unique living spaces, but they operate under different contracts and rules compared to standard rentals. To help foreign residents live comfortably, experts provide a comprehensive guide to contract terms, community guidelines, and move-out procedures.
Whether you need management company permission depends on the installation method of the smart lock.
Types That Likely Do Not Require Permission:
Double-sided tape, tool-free types (Sesame series, Qrio Lock, SwitchBot Lock, etc.): Products that attach over the existing key mechanism without altering the door structure. Since they can be completely removed upon move-out, restoration-to-original-condition issues are unlikely to arise.
However, it is not necessarily certain that you do not need management company permission, as permission may be required if your lease includes clauses such as "prohibition of equipment modifications."
Types That Always Require Permission:
Smart locks that require replacing the existing cylinder (lock mechanism). Products that require drilling holes in the door or installing fixed screws.
Submit your request by email or in writing using text similar to the following:
"I would like to inquire about installing a smart lock. The product I am considering (product name/model number) is a double-sided tape adhesive type that attaches to the thumb turn (interior knob portion) of the existing key mechanism. No drilling or tools are required, and it can be completely removed at move-out. May I please have permission to proceed with the installation?"
Attaching copies of the product catalog and installation instructions makes it easier for the management company to make a decision.
Sesame 5 (Candy House): Double-sided tape installation, no tools required. No monthly fees. Control via smartphone Bluetooth or internet connection. Price: approximately ¥8,000–¥10,000.
Qrio Lock (Sony Group): Double-sided tape installation type designed for rentals. Supports NFC and Suica unlocking. Price: ¥15,000–¥25,000.
SwitchBot Lock: Highly versatile and compatible with other SwitchBot products (curtains, home appliance remotes, etc.). Price: ¥10,000–¥14,000.
Smart locks offer practical benefits for foreign residents:
You can grant temporary access to non-Japanese-speaking visitors (friends, family, delivery personnel) by sharing a code via smartphone. The risk of key duplication and loss decreases. You can check the lock status while commuting home, providing peace of mind.
In case you lose your key (which foreign residents often find difficult to handle), using the smart lock as a backup can greatly reduce the stress of a lost-key emergency at night.
Tool-free, double-sided tape smart locks can be restored to original condition simply by removing them at move-out. However, if adhesive residue from the double-sided tape remains on the thumb turn, cleaning is necessary at move-out.
As a precaution, we recommend saving photos before and after installation to have evidence that you restored the lock to its original state at move-out.
不動産ネットワーク
投資物件・賃貸住宅・テナント・運営会社をつなぐ不動産4サイト連携。
A practical guide to garbage disposal rules, noise etiquette, and neighbor relations—essential knowledge for living in Japanese rental apartments. Explained from both the perspective of foreign residents and Japanese living culture, this article covers practical knowledge to prevent problems before they occur.
床スラブ厚と上階の足音問題——賃貸で「ドン」という衝撃音が響く構造的な理由と物件選びのポイント
前橋・群馬の賃貸エリアガイド【2026年版】——主要エリア別家賃相場と住みやすさを徹底比較
Making the Most of Protruding Beams and Columns in Rental Apartments — Smart Furniture Placement Strategies
Mito & Ibaraki Rental Area Guide [2026] — Comprehensive Explanation of Rental Rates and Livability by Major Area
Uncovering Property Issues by Asking Previous Tenants About Their Departure—Questions to Ask During Viewings and How to Interpret Answers
