With scorching summer heat in the Valley of the Sun, having a home with a pool is a hot commodity for renters. However, renting a house with a pool requires that a landlord deal with a variety of issues including swimming pool liability, maintenance, insurance and more. There are several issues for you to consider when the property has a pool or hot tub.
- Liability and City Codes – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the third leading cause of death from unintentional injury worldwide. If injury or death occurs in a property’s pool, both the landlord and the tenant can be sued. Therefore it is important to understand the laws and codes for pools in Maricopa county. All of codes for Maricopa County can be found here. As a landlord, you should already have a liability insurance policy. Be aware that not all liability policies include swimming pool liability coverage. You may have to pay an additional amount to include any claims resulting from the “attractive nuisance” that pools and hot tubs can sometimes be considered.
- Maintenance – A swimming pool requires a variety of mechanical systems. The pool equipment has an electrical system that operates the pump and any pool lighting. The electrical system requires regular maintenance by someone who knows how to operate this kind of system. A tenant may not be qualified to work on an electrical system, so we recommend that you do not leave this to the tenant. Look into hiring a company to clean and maintain the pool so that there are not costly repairs later on. Mosaic Properties can assist you with finding a pool cleaning company.
- Expectations – Be clear with potential tenants about their responsibility of renting a property. It is important that they understand what maintenance they are responsible for and that they know the safety protocol. All expectations should be laid out clearly in the lease agreement, and having a Property Management team behind you can ensure that you cover your property as well as the safety of your tenants.
If your rental property has a swimming pool, hot tub or spa, you have an obligation to stay informed, obtain the right amount of insurance, and inspect and maintain this property feature. What may seem like an abundance of caution can save you a great deal of money, and even save your property. If you have questions about renting a house with a pool, contact us today and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
