ADT Security System Does not validate home owner identify prior to installing system Tampa Florida

I own a home in Valrico, Fl which I rented out while deployed overseas. The tenants decided to have ADT install a security system in my home so they contacted ADT and arranged to have it installed. I was not contacted at any time by the tenant requesting my permission to have this installed, nor was I contacted by ADT to verify that I had authorized this installation. ADT proceeded to cut a hole (approx 6"X6") in the wall to install the pad. Upon my return home I found the system had been installed and proceeded to contact ADT to have it removed. I was told I couldn't authorize the removal of the system or have it deactivated as it was not in my name.

I was astonished at this response since I owned the home. I spoke with three different customer service representatives to whom I inquired of "as a renter what must I do in order to have the system in the home I was renting?" I was told each and every time that I had to have the owners permission and in order to acquire that permission and that ADT would send a form to the owner for them to sign. I never received any such form from them.

I then contacted the main ADT offices and spoke to someone there. I asked for a copy of the contract that had been signed by the tenant in order to determine whether she had presented herself as the owner of the house and also asked for a copy of the company policy requiring homeowner approval for installation. Of no surprise was they could not find any such policy in writing, or so I was told. Do I believe that? No.

On receipt of the contract I read through it and noted that there was nothing next to the signature indicating whether or not the person signing was the owner or not. However, one of the paragraphs in the contract did state that by signing the contract they were attesting that they had permission from the owner or were attesting to being the owner of the property. When I asked the company what the person at the home had to show the installer to prove they were the owner of the home I was told, they don't ask for proof.

I finally managed to have the system deactivated and removed from my home. They wanted to charge between $800-$900 to do this to which I told them I would not pay the money as I had not authorized the installation of their product in my home. I did not pay it. It ultimately took a threat of sueing the company for installing something in my home without my permission to get anything done.

So, I would recommend that any homeowner who rents their home to perhaps put a paragraph in the lease stipulating whether or not the tenant may or may not have security systems such as ADT installed during their occupancy/lease agreement. This may afford some form of protection to the owner and prevent them from going through the garbage I did.

Anonymous
Lake Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.