Renting an apartment should not mean compromising on water quality. But as a renter, you face unique constraints: you cannot drill into granite countertops without asking, you may move in 12 months, and you need a purifier that works in this apartment and the next one. Here is how to navigate these constraints without settling for less.
Installation options for renters
| Installation Type | Wall/Surface Damage | Landlord Permission | Portability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing / countertop | None | Not needed | Excellent — unplug and go | Frequent movers, short leases |
| Wall-mounted | 2–4 small screw holes | Usually not needed (wear & tear) | Good — 30 min deinstall | Long-term renters (2+ years) |
| Under-sink | Countertop hole for faucet | Recommended | Moderate — 60 min deinstall | Renters wanting invisible setup |
The renter’s decision: buy vs rent vs subscription
| Stay Duration | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 months | Rent (₹400–800/month) | Not worth buying for such a short period |
| 6–18 months | Rent or buy (borderline) | Renting is simpler; buying breaks even at ~18 months |
| 18+ months | Buy | Lower total cost, own the purifier, take it when you move |
| 2+ years | Buy (clearly better) | Saves ₹5,000–15,000 vs renting over the same period |
Best purifier types for renters
For frequent movers: standing purifier
The Boon Homie Tall is ideal for renters who move often. It stands on the floor, connects to a water line with a simple adapter, and needs only a power outlet. No wall drilling, no countertop drilling. When you move, disconnect and take it. It also doubles as a hot and cold water dispenser, replacing a separate appliance.
- 8-stage UltraOsmosis purification (same as under-sink models)
- 2000 ppm TDS capacity — works in any Indian city
- Hot, cold, and room-temperature mineralised water on demand
- WaterAI smart monitoring via app — adapts when you move to a new area
- BabySafe, Brew, and Active water modes
For long-term renters: under-sink purifier
If you are staying 18+ months and want a clean kitchen without a visible purifier, the Boon Tap hides under the sink with only a stainless-steel faucet visible. Discuss the countertop hole with your landlord first. When you move, the hole can be covered with a sink-hole cover plug (₹100–200 at any hardware store).
Moving with your purifier
What the relocation process looks like
- Schedule deinstallation: A technician disconnects the purifier (30–60 minutes). Water line is capped, screw holes filled if wall-mounted.
- Transport: Purifier is drained and packed. Most units weigh 8–15 kg — easy to include in your household move.
- Reinstallation: At the new home, the technician installs, connects, flushes, and verifies output TDS (60–90 minutes).
- Smart recalibration: WaterAI updates to the new water source automatically. You see the new area’s input TDS baseline on the app.
Boon relocation service
Boon offers in-house relocation service covering deinstallation, reinstallation, full system check, flush, and TDS verification. The same trained technicians who installed your purifier handle the move — no third-party contractors.
Renter-specific tips
- Photograph the installation area before and after installation for your records
- Keep the original packaging for easy transport when moving
- If your apartment already has a countertop hole from a previous tenant’s purifier, use it — no new drilling needed
- Choose a purifier with 2000 ppm TDS capacity so it works in your next city too, even if your current TDS is low
- Smart monitoring matters more for renters because you may move to areas with very different water quality
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a water purifier in a rented apartment without damaging walls?
Yes, several water purifier installation options avoid permanent wall damage in rented apartments. Wall-mounted purifiers require 2 to 4 screws in the wall, which leave small holes that can be filled with wall putty when you move out. This is the most common installation and most landlords in India consider small screw holes as normal wear and tear. Under-sink purifiers require no wall drilling at all because the unit sits inside the cabinet under your kitchen sink. The only modification is a 25 to 35 millimetre hole in the countertop for the faucet, which some landlords may object to. Standing or countertop purifiers require zero installation and no drilling whatsoever. They sit on the kitchen counter or floor, connect to the tap with an adapter, and can be unplugged and moved instantly. For renters who move frequently, a standing purifier is the most practical option. For renters on longer leases of 2 or more years, a wall-mounted or under-sink purifier is worth the minimal installation footprint because it delivers better performance.
Should I buy or rent a water purifier if I am renting my apartment?
The buy versus rent decision for water purifiers depends primarily on how long you plan to stay in your current rental. If your lease is 6 to 12 months and you expect to move to a different city, renting a purifier at 400 to 800 rupees per month is practical because you avoid the hassle of deinstallation, transport, and reinstallation. If your lease is 12 to 24 months, the decision is closer but buying generally wins because you reach the break-even point at 18 to 24 months and own the purifier afterward. If you are a long-term renter planning to stay 2 or more years, buying is clearly the better financial choice. Over 3 years, renting costs 14,400 to 28,800 rupees while buying a quality purifier costs 18,000 to 25,000 rupees with 6,000 to 9,000 rupees in maintenance. The total for buying is comparable but you own the unit and can take it to your next home. Modern purifiers are designed for easy deinstallation and reinstallation, typically taking 30 to 60 minutes each.
Can I take my water purifier when I move to a new rental?
Yes, water purifiers are designed to be deinstalled and reinstalled at a new location. The process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for deinstallation and 60 to 90 minutes for reinstallation at the new home. Wall-mounted purifiers leave small screw holes that are filled with wall putty. Under-sink purifiers disconnect from the water line and drain, leaving a hole in the countertop that can be covered with a sink-hole cover plug available at any hardware store. Standing purifiers simply unplug and move like any other appliance. Most brands offer paid relocation service at 500 to 1,500 rupees that covers deinstallation, transport assistance, and reinstallation. Boon provides relocation service by in-house technicians who also perform a full system check, flush, and TDS verification at the new location. When moving between cities with different water quality, a smart purifier with WaterAI automatically adapts monitoring to the new water conditions and updates your app with the new baseline TDS.
Do I need landlord permission to install a water purifier?
Technically, any modification to a rented property should be discussed with your landlord, but most Indian landlords consider water purifier installation as a reasonable and expected appliance setup. Wall-mounted installation with 2 to 4 screws is generally accepted without explicit permission as it falls within normal wear and tear. Under-sink installation that requires a countertop hole for the faucet is the one installation type where you should get explicit landlord approval because the hole is more permanent and visible. Some landlords may request that you use the existing tap hole if one is available from a previous purifier installation. Standing or countertop purifiers require no permission as they do not modify the property in any way. As a best practice, mention the purifier installation during your lease agreement discussion, specify the type of installation you plan, and take photographs of the installation area before and after. Include a clause about restoring the area when you move out.
What is the best water purifier type for someone who moves frequently?
For people who move frequently, every 1 to 2 years, the best water purifier should combine easy portability with no-compromise purification. A standing purifier is the most portable option because it requires minimal installation, sits on the floor or counter, and can be disconnected and moved within minutes. The Boon Homie Tall is a standing purifier with full 8-stage UltraOsmosis purification, 2000 ppm TDS capacity, and WaterAI smart monitoring, delivering the same water quality as a permanently installed unit without the installation commitment. It also dispenses hot, cold, and room-temperature mineralised water, replacing both a purifier and a water dispenser. For renters who prefer under-sink aesthetics and are staying for at least 18 months, the Boon Tap is easily deinstalled and reinstalled by in-house technicians at the new location. The WaterAI app adapts to new water conditions automatically, so you always know your water quality regardless of where you move.