Allow tenant to have hot tub?

Question

Hey Guys,

I am a first time landlord and I have a potential tenant who has requested that he install a hot tub in the back yard.  He will agree contractually to be fully responsible for it and any damage it may cause and to return the area to previous condition upon termination of our lease.  Should I allow this with a waiver and deposit?

Thanks,

Heather

Heather Lavergne · Answer

Thanks for quick replies!  I said no to this one despite my insurance company not really seeing an issue.  I purposely avoided a house with a pool due to the liability with it and ended up looking at this the same way.

Ned J. · Answer

Probably not..... what's the upside to you? is THIS tenant a superstar in every other way that you just HAVE to pick them? Then no.....

Downside.....liability, damage to the property, complaint from neighbors on noise, having to haul it away when they try and leave it behind when they move etc etc etc.....

Nicole A. · Answer

Will it be installed properly on concrete?

And this is a "potential" tenant...so a possible applicant?

I typically do not like modifications like this, especially right from the beginning. And having a hot tub can be a liability to you if something happens to someone in it even though it's not your hot tub.

Linda S. · Answer

@Heather Lavergne,

Check with your insurance, they might make the decision for you!      I know ours has told us no pools and no trampolines!

Matthew Paul · Answer

Having a licensed electrician do the wiring would be my first concern

Peter M. · Answer

@Heather Lavergne Just curious, what did you decide to do?

Colin B. · Answer

@Heather Lavergne, if you really wanted to consider the request, you might be able to think through the many excellent risks that everyone else has identified (and others) and find a way to minimize them via a combination of, i.e., insurance, contract, up front payment by the tenant (to cover proper installation to your satisfaction), increased deposit to cover the removal costs, and increased rent to compensate you for this very unusual request.

However, I highly doubt that the applicant would be willing to cover all of these costs and deposits (along with increased rent to compensate for the accommodation). Additionally, because you are a new landlord, unless you hire a lawyer you are much less likely to think through all of the risks and all of the ways to protect and compensate yourself for the accommodation.

I would probably not grant this accommodation myself unless, to @Ned J.'s point, I had a lot of upside in it.

Thomas S. · Answer

No I would not allow it, liability is one reason but additionally regardless of what they agree to you will be stuck with the fix up after they move out. Guaranteed every time they leave you the mess.

Stephen Renehan · Answer

I echo the sentiments of the previous posts.  Namely, liability and what is your upside?  Furthermore, the costs of removal probably far exceeds your benefits.  I’m sure you will find another tenant without the same demands.

Allow tenant to have hot tub?

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