logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
News
September 14, 2021
“A commercial pool rental is ….

“A commercial pool rental is going to be a much higher impact — zoning codes look at that much more carefully — and so, you’ve got things like noise and parking impacts. You also have a number of health and safety regulations,” Swartz said.

When the agency receives a complaint that a pool owner is renting out their pool, the city inspector goes to the house and educates the homeowner on what the city allows. After that, they will fine you $150, a fine that goes up after each visit.

For jurisdictions that don’t allow renting private pools to the public, the issue has to do with safety concerns.

But beyond facing administrative fines and noncompliance fees for code violations in areas that disallow renting private pools to the public, personal injury lawyers say that across the country, the legal ramifications will be very severe if anything should go wrong.

Private pool owners have been sued tens of millions of dollars after someone drowned in their pool, and those weren’t even paying customers.

The platform does have an insurance program that covers $1 million in liability, but this is only a mere fraction of what a potential injury or death might cost a homeowner.

Darcy Merkur, a personal injury lawyer with Thomson Rogers law firm, said the $1 million in liability amounts to peanuts.

“If I was consulted by someone who was injured at a swimming pool, I would sue the homeowner”, Merkur said. “It doesn't matter if they have an airtight rental agreement, we would absolutely implicate the homeowner… and those cases are often quantified in the $10-million range.”

And while some hosts require pool renters to sign a waiver releasing them from all responsibility in the event of an accident, lawyers worth their salt can run circles around such agreements.

Merkur said that waivers might help in the event of a lawsuit, but they aren’t bulletproof.

“Lawyers like us get around them all the time,” Merkur said. “Renting out your pool, as a side hobby, is not advisable from a liability perspective at all.”

Furthermore, Swimply’s plan does not cover injuries arising out of alcohol consumption nor those related to the use of amenities such as pool inflatables and trampolines.

If a guest has a few beers, trips over a pool floaty and hurts their back, the host could be in for an expensive, uninsured legal battle.

Injuries occurring outside of booked and paid reservation times aren’t covered, either.

Loretta Worters, VP of Media Relations for the Insurance Information Institute, doesn’t think it’s worth it.

“This is a huge liability risk to take for the small price of making a few dollars,” Worters said.

Then there’s the host’s property to consider. Swimply offers property damage protection of up to $10,000, but that doesn’t cover losses arising from theft or damages occurring after booking times.

So, thinking about renting out your pool? Better think long and hard about that.

LATEST NEWS
Body found in backyard swimming pool
News
Body found in backyard swimming pool
A Suffolk County, NY police detective discovered a body in his swimming pool
June 14, 2025
A Long Island, New York, homeowner and his son discovered a body this May while opening their backyard swimming pool for the season. The body is belie...
this is a test
News
Need to raise prices? Read how to do it
June 14, 2025
This years’ Service Industry News survey revealed an interesting trend: Pool and spa small business owners have raised their average monthly prices. A...
this is a test
Florida pool builder sentenced to 20 years
News
Florida pool builder sentenced to 20 years
June 14, 2025
A Florida pool and spa builder has been sentenced to prison for defrauding customers. According to a press release from the Florida Attorney General’s...
this is a test
Las Vegas hotels discover Legionella in water
News
Las Vegas hotels discover Legionella in water
June 14, 2025
For many American families, the summer months signal a time for vacation. That’s why health departments are sounding the alarm about a hidden health t...
this is a test
News
Todrain,ornottodrain, that is the question
June 14, 2025
The state of Montana has enacted a new regulatory change concerning hot tub maintenance for short-term rentals that is expected to save the state mill...
this is a test
Minnesota struggles with backyard spas:  Public or private?
News
Minnesota struggles with backyard spas: Public or private?
June 14, 2025
When are residential pools, spas, or hot tubs actually public pools, spas, or hot tubs? It sounds like a riddle, but it’s a real question up for debat...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 12-14, Dallas, Texas
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 28-30, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 35th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 26-28, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 4-8, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 6-8, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK