This year I started using Aqara products in one of my holiday apartments with the goal of automating as much as possible — from access control to climate optimisation — while staying fully compliant with EU rental regulations.
Because indoor cameras are not allowed in holiday properties, I needed an alternative way to detect occupancy. This made Aqara Presence Sensors (FP2) essential. I installed them both inside the apartment and even on the balcony so the system can accurately detect when guests are present and trigger the right automations without compromising privacy.
To simplify guest arrivals, I added the Aqara Smart Door Lock (e.g., D100 Zigbee), which has fully automated the check-in process. Guests receive a temporary code, and I no longer need to coordinate keys or worry about replacements.
Energy efficiency was another priority. I installed Aqara Door & Window Sensors to automatically switch off the AC whenever a door or window is opened — something that saves a surprising amount of energy in a holiday rental. Combined with Aqara Temperature & Humidity Sensors, the climate system only turns on when conditions require it, keeping the apartment comfortable while avoiding unnecessary electricity usage.
Lighting is fully automated using Aqara Motion Sensors, Smart Switches, and Relay Controllers. Lights turn on when someone enters a room and turn off when no presence is detected. I can also remotely shut down all non-essential appliances between guest stays.
For comfort and energy control, I added Aqara Curtain/Blind Controllers, allowing the blinds to open in the morning, close during strong sunlight to maintain indoor temperature, and adjust automatically based on presence.
Everything is connected through the Aqara Hub, creating a seamless ecosystem that intelligently runs the apartment with minimal manual input.
The result is a fully automated, privacy-compliant, energy-efficient holiday property that delivers convenience for guests and peace of mind for me as the owner. Aqara has proven to be a reliable, flexible solution for rental environments where cameras aren’t permitted but smart automation is essential.