A method and system for providing selective access to appliances by terminals in a smart environment is provided. Each terminal and appliance is assigned a unique identification code (UID). Appliances and terminals wirelessly transmit their UID and receive UIDs transmitted by other appliances and terminals. Upon receiving a terminal's UID, an appliance queries a database to determine whether the terminal is authorized to control that appliance based on authorization information stored in the database. An owner may be notified if a terminal without authorization attempts to control an appliance or enters the environment. When a previously unauthorized user, local to the environment, desires access to the smart environment while the owner(s) is away from the environment, a request may be securely transmitted to an owner at his or her remote location. The owner may grant access to one or more appliances, and securely transmit the authorization back to the local user. Upon receipt of the authorization, the local user may control the appliance(s).