Summer’s Coming: Is Your Pool Safe for Tenants?

By E-Renter Tenant Screening
Posted on May 16, 2013 under Landlord Paperwork and Forms, Landlord Tips | Be the First to Comment

For apartment communities with swimming pools, safety is a concern for landlords and property managers. While some are obligated to follow specific state or municipal regulations, others are guided by common sense.

Regardless of whether you have to follow laws or regulations, you’ll want to review pool safety with all of your tenants, especially those with children. Use these tips to improve the safety around your community’s pool—and increase the fun for everyone this summer.

• Use clear signage: Not only do clear, legible signs help inform users of the rules, they can also help your case if there should be any problems with injuries or litigation. Posting signs that say “No Lifeguard on Duty,” “No Diving,” “No Access After Dark” and “Keep Gate Closed” are essential.
• Be sure that any guests or non-residents are accompanied by a tenant at all times. Consider selling guest passes for $2.00 or $5.00 per day to reduce the number of guests.
• Enforce a minimum age rule. Children under the age of 15, 16, etc. must be supervised by an adult.
• Don’t allow food or beverages in glass containers near the pool, to reduce the possibility of injury.
• Request that people with infections diseases, skin abrasions, cuts, or other injuries avoid using the pool.
• Do not allow pets inside the pool area.
• Keep trash receptacles close by and empty them frequently.
• Equip the pool area with safety equipment, such as life rings, life hooks and whistles.
• Compile a complete list of pool rules and warnings, include them with the lease, review them with new tenants, and have them initial the page at lease signing.
• Close the pool during inclement weather, especially during and after thunder/lighting storms.