Swimming Pools

[Laura2068]

Hi!  I would appreciate some advice from hosts whose listings include a pool on the premises.  I am trying to decide if I should allow guests to use my backyard above-ground pool or keep it covered and closed. 
●How do you prevent guests from throwing pool parties?  Do you limit use of the pool to only guests included on the reservation?
●Do you set Open and Closed hours for  pool use, including a scheduled time for cleaning and maintenance? 
●What specific House Rules do you have regarding pool use?
●What other questions should I be asking?
Any advice, tips, or helpful information will be greatly appreciated!  Thank you!

[Lazmee0 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Laura2068, adding a pool is a fantastic way to increase booking rates, but it does require strict boundaries to protect your property and liability. To prevent unapproved parties, your most effective tools are an outdoor security camera monitoring the pool perimeter and a strict policy limiting pool access exclusively to registered guests. Setting defined operational hours such as 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM is essential; it prevents late-night noise disturbances for neighbors and creates a dedicated, predictable window for you to handle daily skimming, chemical balancing, and maintenance without invading guest privacy. For your house rules, it is vital to mandate that children must be supervised at all times, establish a strict "no glass" policy near the water to prevent hazardous breakage, and explicitly prohibit diving, as above-ground pools are structurally unsafe for it. Finally, before opening it up, you should verify that your short-term rental insurance explicitly covers pool liability, consider providing dedicated pool towels to protect your indoor linens, and ensure your setup complies with local safety laws, which often require a locked perimeter fence or self-latching gate.

[Laura2068]

Thank you for sharing so much helpful information!

[Emilie]

Hi @Laura2068, 

Following Lazmee's insights, I wanted to check in and see if you'd decided one way or the other. Are there still any areas you'd like more  advice on before including or not including the pool?

Thanks, 

Emilie

[Laura2068]

Thanks.   I'm still trying to figure out a schedule for cleaning and maintenance chores that doesn't impact guests but still keeps the pool in pristine condition.  If anyone can recommend a reliable pool cleaning service,  I would really appreciate it!

[Helen427]

@Laura2068 

Have you considered doing a course on pool maintenance yourself?

It could be a good way to learn, plus it's another qualification to add to your own.

It's not too hard to do from what we understand from those in the industry.

Getting the ph levels correct is vital, cleaning the inside edges can be a fun job and is good exercise to keep fit.

Add to the mix of pool maintenance, also maintain any garden area and sweep up leaves and place them in the garden to nourish the plants and ecological systems.