Swimming pools in rentals?

Question

Hi Friends,

What are the pros and cons of having a rental house with a swimming pool?  I know they don't necessarily add value to a house, but do they add value as a rental?  Is the liability not worth it?  Is the upkeep not worth it?  Does landlord or tenant maintain the pool?  Or do you hire a pool service and roll it into the rent?  It is a plus in desert areas like Las Vegas or Phoenix?

Thank you for your input!

Bill B. · Answer

My property manager requires pool service I pay for so it’s “rolled” in to rent in my 2 vegas properties with pools. I don’t think I would go out of my way to buy a pool house but often a house with a pool is the same price as a house without. For people without dogs it adds a purpose to the yard. (We have a pool in our primary only becuase without dogs or kids, rocks or grass both seemed like a waste.)

It doesn’t seem to affect insurance quotes at least here. I have a $3million umbrella for the liability but it covers all properties obviously. Long long story short, I wouldn’t pay extra for a pool property but I also wouldn’t avoid a house with a pool.

James Jackson · Answer

I have been considering adding a swimming pool to one of my vacation rentals. I have and maintain a 60,000 gallon pool at my primary residence. Maintenance is not a big deal but they have to be checked daily for mice, voles, and moles. No one wants to jump in a pool with a dead rodent in the skimmer. And they have to be checked regularly for chlorine and pH level.  I maintain two rentals and the pool requires very little attention compared to other issues. We have a competitor who owns a property bordering a major river and they are constantly booked and their rental is nice but not not that nice. All I can think of is the river is a draw for renters. Folks do like to play in the water and that being said I am considering adding a swimming pool. But "the jury is still out". I have not seen any comments from folks who have STR with pools and would be interested in hearing how much use they get from having a pool available for guests.

Ray Harrell · Answer

Pool? What's a Pool?!?

Stone Jin · Answer

We don't buy rentals with pools just from a liability perspective.  Do point adding more risk.  Also there is a cost of maintaining the pool (pump filter plaster).  You may get a premium in rent but then again you may not.

However if I were to buy a property with a pool, I'd require professional upkeep, either I would hire it out and charge the tenant or ask the tenant for proof that it is being done.

Swimming pools in rentals?

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