A common question that arises when a customer signs up for Home Security System with Vivint is who owns this equipment. This is something that one should always take into consideration whenever they are subscribing to Vivint or any other home security company. The question is, does a Vivint customer own the security equipment that belongs to them, or does Vivint retain the ownership of those items? Below, you will find more details on how the equipment ownership process is carried out with Vivint.

What Equipment Can I Get With Vivint?

First of all, let us take note of what a basic Vivint home security package contains in terms of equipment. The core components you receive with a basic Vivint system are: 

  • Touchscreen Smart Home Hub: This effectively serves as the heart and operating console for your Vivint home automation system. The assistant is used to turn your system on and off, manage devices connected to it, and many others.
  • Door/Window Sensors: These sensors are placed on doors, windows, and any other hollow that may provide an easy way for a break-in.
  • Motion Sensor: Can sense motion and has an alert capability.
  • Yard Sign and Window Stickers: Try to scare burglars away by informing them that your home is under the protection of Vivint.
  • Vivint Mobile App: For access to the programs and control with your smartphone or tablet.

You can also include other devices that include doorbell cameras and indoor cameras, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, smart locks, flood sensors, garage door controllers, smart thermostats, and more.

Vivint Equipment Ownership Policy

Generally, the conventional contract states that Vivint owns all the equipment it puts in a customer’s home throughout the contract. This is typically 42 or 60 months In this case, the length of the lease depends on the agreement that exists between the company and the lessor. However, it should be noted that during the contract period you signed with Vivint, the company technically owns the gears even though they are installed at your premises.

From Vivint’s standpoint, this is a logical configuration. Standard packages entail the company subsidizing the cost of the hardware hence retaining ownership is important to protect its assets. It also ensures that the customers complete the entire contract and do not abandon any halfway.

However, there is also a con, and that is that it is Vivint’s property that is put in your home, but you as a customer have control over the equipment. Well, Vivint does not go around pulling off items they have provided while you are still bound by your contractual agreement. You receive the full functionality of the Vivint system even if you are paying your installments monthly. It means that they are only owned in some capacity because it is effectively given to the company by Vivint.

What Is the Life of a Contract Car Manufacturer After the Contract?

However, when you manage to stay with Vivint until the end of the contract term or exercise the early termination option, the picture alters. Now, Vivint offers full ownership of the equipment to you as the customer without any kind of hidden charges. This transfer occurs easily and smoothly without incurring further charges or the preparation of documents.

And while paying monthly installments do consider it akin to “leasing” the Vivint equipment from them. However, after running your contract term, that same equipment will benefit you to the maximum extent. The same is the case with paying the final installments on a car loan.

However, there is one important thing to note and it is that software licenses are not part of the items that are transferred in this ownership structure. As a result, you are the owner of the physical devices of the machines but not a single firmware or software. Those are still owned by Vivint but the idea of grouping them in one category is logical and makes it easier to navigate through all the products that the company is offering to its clients.

Moving to a new home, can you take equipment with you?

Their equipment belongs to them until you finish your contractual obligations, which means the equipment cannot go to a new home if you relocate. It is limited to the location where it is installed in the first place. However, some customers stated that they have the option to take security gear to another residence for a new contract and installation charge. They appear to be less convincing on this as various experiences prove it.

The simplest way is to keep equipment installed at the home where it began its functioning. You would then enroll the new occupants of the house for their own Vivint service if they were interested. Or if moving to a new location, begin with new equipment that would thereafter exclusively be associated with that location.

Flex Pay Option

However, there is a more flexible approach for those who wish to own their Vivint gear without entering a lease plan from the start. Vivint’s Flex Pay works under the principle that customers pay for equipment either in full amounts or on credit over a shorter period. After repaid, you immediately gain full control and possession of those devices.

Thus there is a provision in the form of Flex Pay, which means you then can own as opposed to being given a standard contract of right to rent in its place. It is more expensive in terms of initial capital investment though. And you’d still be left with the added cost of having to pay monthly for an actual service plan to support the devices. It does so but it provides the customers with even more choices to make.

The Takeaway

It is also important to understand that when the Vivint home security service is signed up, the company retains the full legal title to all controlled equipment installed during the period of payments under the contract. It means that you own the gear and it is put to full use by you. However, Vivint is the one that maintains legal ownership of the equipment. While the contract is active, you get to rent the equipment and once the contract is up, it becomes your property at no additional charges. So while making installment payments over months and years, you are leasing the system from Vivint. That is until you get one that is officially yours after the payment has been done.

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