How do you handle pools and tenants?

Question

What are your overall thoughts on homes with pools? Worth the extra hassle or not? If it’s worth it, do you make it the tenants’ responsibility to clean it or do you higher that out? How do you insure yourself to avoid liabilities.

Filipe Pereira · Answer

I am anti homes with pools unless your market requires it @Jesse Hodges.

If your market supports having a pool I would definitely include the cost to maintain it and keep it operational as a part of the rent. It can be very expensive to get a pool back into shape after it's been neglected for a while. Periodic maintenance is the way to go on that. Also make sure the pool pump is wired to a timer not a switch that the tenants will have to turn on / off. You don't want them forgetting each night/day.

There's always going to be a huge liability potential with a pool. Speak to an insurance co, and carry enough insurance. We put up a fence around our in-ground pool but that's a local requirement.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

There are no pools in my area. I wouldn't buy a home with a pool unless you lived in an area where they are common and a hot commodity. I would ensure tenants have very clear, written instructions on how to maintain the pool. Or, I would hire a pool service and include the cost of that service in the rent.

As for liability, just talk to an insurance company. Some cities/insurers will have requirements like adding a safety gate around the pool.