Nearly 42% of UK households now own at least one smart home device, according to recent industry data. That means if you’re buying an apartment in 2026, there’s a good chance the property you’re looking at already has some smart tech built in — or the seller expects you to want it. Over the years I’ve written about UK property, I’ve noticed this shift happening faster than most buyers realise. What was once a novelty is becoming a standard expectation, especially in newer builds and renovated apartments.
The problem is that most buyers don’t know what to look for. You walk into a flat, see a smart thermostat on the wall and a video doorbell, and assume it’s sorted. But the reality is more complicated. Some systems lock you into a single brand. Others rely on a hub that the seller plans to take with them. And plenty of older apartments have thick walls that kill Wi-Fi dead. Here’s what you actually need to know.
What Smart Home Technology Actually Means for Apartment Buyers
When I talk about smart home technology here, I mean any device that connects to the internet and can be controlled remotely or automated. That covers everything from a smart thermostat that cuts your heating bill to a video doorbell that lets you see who’s at the door from your phone. The key isn’t the gadget itself — it’s whether the apartment is set up to support it properly.
Why Smart Features Matter More Than You Think
The biggest reason to care about smart home tech in an apartment is energy costs. With the UK energy price cap sitting at £1,758 per year, a smart thermostat can save the average household around £265 annually on heating bills. That’s not a small number — it’s roughly 15% of your total energy spend. If the apartment you’re buying already has one fitted, you’re starting ahead. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to budget for installing one.
But it’s not just about heating. Smart security cameras are now in 19% of UK homes, and smart locks are in 6%. For apartment dwellers, these features matter differently than they do for house owners. You’re sharing entrances, hallways, and sometimes parking areas. A video doorbell that works with the building’s entry system can be genuinely useful. A smart lock that lets you grant temporary access to a cleaner or a tradesperson saves you having to hand over keys.
What I’ve noticed is that buyers in the 25–44 age bracket — the group with the highest adoption rate at 61% — tend to prioritise these features without always checking whether they’ll actually work in the building. An apartment with thick concrete walls might need a mesh Wi-Fi system to get a signal in every room. That’s an extra cost and a potential headache if you don’t spot it before you move in.
Where Apartment Buyers Get Smart Home Decisions Wrong
I’ve seen the same mistakes come up again and again. Here are the ones that cost buyers the most time and money.
Assuming the Seller Leaves Everything Behind
This is the most common trap. A seller might have a smart thermostat, video doorbell, and smart lights installed — but they’re not legally required to leave them unless they’re fixtures. A smart thermostat wired into the wall is usually a fixture. A smart speaker sitting on a shelf is not. And a video doorbell that’s screwed into the door frame? That’s a grey area. I’d always ask specifically what stays and what goes, and get it in writing. If you want the smart lock that’s on the front door, make it a condition of the sale.
Ignoring the Ecosystem Lock-In
If the apartment is set up with Amazon Echo devices and Alexa-compatible lights, but you use an iPhone and prefer Apple HomeKit, you’re looking at either replacing everything or living with a fragmented system. Apple HomeKit-compatible products have seen a 34% year-on-year increase in UK sales, which tells me more buyers are thinking about privacy and ecosystem choice. Before you exchange contracts, find out what ecosystem the apartment’s devices use. If it’s all one brand, you can either accept it or budget for swapping it out.
Overlooking the Building’s Infrastructure
An apartment building’s shared infrastructure matters more than you’d think. If the building has a communal entry system, a smart lock on your individual door might not integrate with it. If the building’s broadband is slow or limited to one provider, your smart devices will struggle. And if the walls are solid concrete — common in 1960s and 1970s blocks — a standard router won’t cut it. You might need a mesh system or powerline adapters. That’s an extra £100–£300 you hadn’t planned for.
→ Scroll right to see all columns
| Device Type | UK Household Penetration | Typical Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Thermostat | 22% | £265 |
| Smart Security Camera | 19% | N/A (security benefit) |
| Smart Lighting | 17% | £50–£100 |
| Smart Lock | 6% | N/A (convenience) |
Forgetting About the PSTI Act
Since 2022, the UK’s Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act requires smart device manufacturers to meet minimum security standards. That means devices sold in the UK must have unique passwords, a way to report vulnerabilities, and a minimum support period. If the apartment has older smart devices that predate this law, they might be less secure. I’d ask the seller when each device was installed and whether it still receives firmware updates. If they don’t know, factor in the cost of replacing them.
How to Buy an Apartment With Smart Home Tech That Actually Works
Writing about topics like this takes real time and research. If you buy something through an Amazon link on this page, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the things that makes it possible to keep BritWealth free to read. I only link to products that are genuinely relevant to the article.
Here’s the practical process I’d follow if I were buying an apartment today.
Audit Every Smart Device Before You Offer
Walk through the apartment with a notepad and list every smart device you see. Note whether it’s wired or battery-powered, what brand it is, and whether it requires a subscription. A video doorbell that needs a £5/month subscription to store footage is a different proposition from one that records locally. A smart thermostat that’s wired into the heating system is a fixture and should stay. A smart plug that’s just plugged into a socket is not. If you’re unsure, ask your solicitor to include a clause in the contract specifying which smart devices are included in the sale.
Test the Connectivity Yourself
Bring your phone and run a speed test in every room. If the signal drops in the bedroom or the far end of the living room, that’s a red flag. Ask the seller whether they use a mesh Wi-Fi system or a standard router. If they have a mesh system, ask whether it’s included in the sale. If not, budget for one. A mesh Wi-Fi system is one of the few purchases that can genuinely improve every smart device in your home, and it’s relatively inexpensive compared to replacing individual gadgets.
Check the Building’s Broadband and Wiring
Some older apartment buildings still use copper phone lines rather than fibre. If the building doesn’t have fibre broadband, your smart devices will be slower and less reliable. Check with the building management or use a postcode checker online. Also look at the wiring: if the apartment has USB outlets built into the walls, that’s a sign the current owner cared about smart home integration. If it doesn’t, you can add them later, but it’s worth knowing upfront.
Plan for Future-Proofing
The smart home market is projected to reach £9.2 billion by 2030, and the technology is changing fast. If you’re buying an apartment now, look for devices that support the Matter protocol. That way, if you want to add a new smart light or sensor in three years, it’ll work with what you already have. Avoid buying an apartment that’s locked into a proprietary system that only works with one brand’s hub. That’s a recipe for frustration down the line.
- 1List Every DeviceWalk through and note every smart device, its brand, whether it’s wired or battery, and whether it needs a subscription. This tells you what you’re getting and what you’ll need to replace.
- 2Test Wi-Fi in Every RoomRun a speed test on your phone in each room. If the signal drops, ask about mesh systems or budget for one. Thick walls are common in apartments and can kill connectivity.
- 3Check the Building’s BroadbandUse a postcode checker to confirm fibre broadband is available. If it’s not, your smart devices will be slower and less reliable. This is a dealbreaker for some buyers.
- 4Ask About the EcosystemFind out whether devices use Alexa, Google, or Apple HomeKit. If you already use one ecosystem, buying an apartment set up for another means either adapting or replacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I negotiate the price down if the apartment has old smart devices? ▾
What happens to smart devices if the building loses power? ▾
Do I need a solicitor to check smart home contracts? ▾
Are smart homes harder to insure? ▾
What’s the cheapest way to add smart tech to an older apartment? ▾
Sources and Further Reading
Essential tips for buying an apartment with good insulation — Smart tech only helps if the building itself is energy-efficient. This guide covers what to check before you buy.
Service charges explained: understanding UK apartment maintenance fees — Some smart systems are maintained through service charges. Know what you’re paying for.
UK Smart Home Statistics 2026. Smart Home UK, 2026.
The Future of UK Housing: What 2026 Buyers Will Expect. Walker Homes, 2025.
If this was useful, you might also want to read Beyond location: overlooked factors that make or break your apartment investment.
