Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate Investor Club

Hi Shelly,

None of my rent houses have a pool, but I would be very leery to ever rent out a house with a pool (however, admittedly I'm overly cautious)... If I ever did have a rent house with a pool, I would have the tenant sign numerous documents that release me from liability... If I were to advise, I would suggest adding an addendum to the original agreement and amend the contract/lease agreement language ab initio....

For me I would pass on renting out a home w/ a pool... Even with the tenants signing away their life, you can always lose a case if there is a minor anomaly that potentially caused harm. You'll see in my previous posts that I protect myself to the MAX... This is one example of how I do so (by not taking unnecessary risks like having a pool).... Please Note: Most other investors probably are not as paranoid as I am and probably don't share my concern.... I'd be curious to see if anyone else chimes in.

Regards,

Brian R. Baker, MBA

brian@texashousingpartners.com  

Good question, Shelly!

We don't have any rentals with pools, and, due to liability concerns, we don't plan to acquire any.  There are enough other challenges in life without unnecessarily inviting this one.  In my opinion, there's a much bigger downside to owning a rent house with a pool than there is an upside.  As long as there are plenty of opportunities to buy rent houses without pools, and there are, we will continue focus on those.

Even if you have liability insurance, which every rental property owner should, do you want to have to deal with the hassle, etc. if a claim is filed; particularly if a tragic loss of life is involved?  I most certainly do not.

Beyond the liability issue, consider that it may also be harder to rent a property with a pool to a young family with little kids.  There are lots of young mothers (and fathers) who are very concerned about accidental drownings who will not even consider renting a house with a pool.

Thanks,

Robin