Private Room + Pool?

[Timothy420]

Hi. I host a private room upstairs and I have a large in-ground pool. Guests can see the pool from their window, so of course they ask me to use it. I have it in the listing that the backyard (which includes the pool, patio, grill, griddle, etc.) is not for guest use, and despite this, I still get asked. I get it. It’s a beautiful pool and I’m in TX, where it was 100° yesterday!

Anyway, what do you all think of allowing access from a liability perspective? Also, what are your thoughts about listing the pool for rent on something like Swimly (Airbnb for pools), and only allowing current guests to book it? That would give me an added layer of protection, right?

Just let me know your thoughts! 

[Karen114]

@Timothy420  A beautiful pool in Texas is an amenity that  would give your listing a lot of traction. I would include it with your listing and you can maybe even demand a higher nighly rate.

Maybe consider having certain hours it can be used? At one of my condos pool is open from 9A-9P.

I would not want the guest to have cart blance all hours of the day and night given it's s shared space.  Of course no pool parties from the guest 🤣

As far as laibiltiy you would of course have to have the normal pool safety rules and equipment in place.  

I think once you start offering it, if you do, the rules will evolve. 

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Timothy420 @Karen114 

Definitely visit with your business insurance agent about any liability rider and safety features you might need to protect yourself and your investment. Make sure your fencing, gates, posting, and safety precautions are up to current code. The city building inspector is likely the one to advise you. 

[Marie8425]

If your renting  1 bedroom not  the  house  first   who is your  market?    IIs  it really people  hanging  out   at youur  house usually room  renters arre a different mindset then  a  family  renting a homme?   Also  allowing usage of the pool,  means you have too look  will it   be  a  conflict of your use?  Also  it invites  guests to hang  out   in  your  backyard and  you   will  need  to  monitor   who is in your backyard  using your pool.  To me offering has an   Airbnb amenity could actually  hurt  youur  listing  because  most  guests realize it  costas to maintain a pool  correctly  and  may  not  want to  pay  for that  option  especially if they  just want   a  bed  because  they are  out all  day.

I  think the Swimmly would  be your  best  answer.  The guest then  is allowed to  choose..   it  lasos  gives you  a  way  to   control  times  and any   guests..     Check  the  liability insurance because    when  you   actually   charge  for pool  usage  then like  renting  a room   your homeowners  won't   cover but  I have  seen  peoples pools on sniiffspot   so  I   am   sure   that  they  have   something in place.   That could  be a pluus of  renting  on  an afternoon  and  the pool  reservation   allowing  a  certain   number  guests then your  guests  have the extra  benefit of  a small family pool party  but  you  still  have  control of usage

[Timothy420]

The guests that stay with me stay anywhere between 3 nights and 3 weeks. My current guest has been here 5 weeks. It just depends. Most of them don’t go anywhere. Some Uber here and just stay upstairs lol. 

Thanks for the reply! I agree that Swimly might be the best bet. I’ve not heard of sniff spot. I’ll check that out!