diff --git a/backend/app/schemas/user.py b/backend/app/schemas/user.py
index 1acc131..2372e6d 100644
--- a/backend/app/schemas/user.py
+++ b/backend/app/schemas/user.py
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 """User schemas."""
-from pydantic import BaseModel, EmailStr
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Optional
 
 class UserBase(BaseModel):
     """Base user schema."""
     username: str
-    email: EmailStr
+    email: str  # Changed from EmailStr to allow .local domains for home networks
     full_name: Optional[str] = None
 
 class UserCreate(UserBase):
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class UserCreate(UserBase):
 
 class UserUpdate(BaseModel):
     """Schema for updating a user."""
-    email: Optional[EmailStr] = None
+    email: Optional[str] = None
     full_name: Optional[str] = None
     password: Optional[str] = None
     is_active: Optional[bool] = None