Need Help: Keep whirlpool tub or replace?

[Randy Gutierrez]

Hey everyone,

Purchased a SFH where the bathroom has a shower/whirlpool combo instead of your typical shower/tub. We are in the middle of rehabbing the property and wondering if for liability reasons we should remove it completely and put in a standard tub? Not familiar with whirlpools but it seems to me that they can potentially leak from more places and the entry height is about double that of a typical tub measuring 24". The previous owner (owner occupied) had a handle suctioned to the shower wall to enter it safely. My obvious concern is a tenant slipping, tripping, or falling as a result of the whirlpool height as this will be used as a long term rental. The whirlpool is technically legal and up to code.

Ideally we like to leave it in place and see if there is way we can make it safer as this option hardly requires any capital. Replacing the whirlpool and framing it to fit a tub wouldn't be ideal since it would cost a good chunk of change and won't exactly bring a whole ton of value, especially it being a Class C-/D neighborhood. Curious to hear your thoughts! Thank you in advance