Looking for a noise sensor for a rental apartment

Hardware
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Hi all,

I manage some rental apartments and I’m looking for a HASS-compatible noise sensor. I’m aware of ready-made commercial solutions (like Minut), but I don’t want to pay an expensive subscription fee.

I basically want to be able to know if the guests are making too much noise for a long period of time.

I’ve thought about the following solutions, but I’m not 100% sure about any of them:

  1. Create my own sensor with an ESP and a KY-037 noise sensor (explained in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akt4rSyNS_E)
  2. Use a generic Tuya wifi sensor like this one: https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005006900323704.html
  3. Use a Milesight WS302 LoRaWAN sensor: Milesight WS302 LoRaWAN Lärmpegelsensor

I have Zigbee networks deployed in my apartments, but AFAIK there’s no Zigbee noise sensor.

Regarding the options I listed, I’m a little bit worried about how precise will number 1 be, I don’t like how number 2 looks and number 3 requires me to deploy a new network (but it seems like the most precise and robust solution).

What do you recommend for my use case?

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My allergy makes me itch just by thinking of #2.
I wouldn’t get close to a Tuya wifi device.

Whichever you choose make sure you inform the tenants that there is a noise sensor and where it is.
Someone could get quite upset if they find a microphone in some plastic box on the wall

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Consult a lawyer in your area to make sure a device of this type is legal for the rental situation you will be engaged in.

If it is and you pick one to use, buy at least 5… People don’t like paying to be surveilled and “accidents” happen.

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M5Stack Atom Echo:

And this in the yaml:

IMG_1246
IMG_12462236×779 243 KB

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Neighbours will inform you…
I don’t know where are you renting, but in many countries this would be illegal without tenants permit. Which they likely don’t give since noise sensor is a microphone.
If you really need to do that, use commercial decibel meter with datalogging and don’t open it, so at least in theory it’s not capable of listening what tenants talk.