Because pools cost a fair amount of money from the start, you may find it difficult to recover that cost early on. However, you can set yourself up for a better return on investment by focusing on the design and the location. For example, if you live in a warmer climate—especially near a beach—or in a more family-friendly neighbourhood, installing a pool helps you attract more tenants.
Likewise, the type of pool you pick also plays a role in how desirable your property is—and how much value it adds to the place. In-ground pools may cost more to add to your rental property, but this structure blends more seamlessly into the landscape and housing design. As a result, you can likely charge a little more in rent for this added perk.
Note, however, that the older your pool is, the less value you can claim. Specifically, older pools require more maintenance over time, and the more repairs you have to make on a regular basis, the less valuable the feature becomes.
Once you install a pool on your property, you, your tenants and any property managers acting on your behalf should abide by certain safety guidelines. These government-mandated regulations primarily focus on keeping young children safe around the structure. If you, your property manager or your tenants don't abide by these regulations, you could face fines or other legal action should a child sustain an injury on your property.
Some of these guidelines include building a barrier around the pool if the water is more than 300 millimetres deep, using the correct materials to build the barrier, placing the barrier in the correct place and including a warning label on all rigid-sided, soft-sided or portable pools.
Before your first tenants move into your rental property, ensure you maintain an up-to-date swimming pool certificate that states your agreement to follow government-mandated guidelines. Additionally, hire a professional to inspect your pool and make any necessary repairs before allowing tenants to occupy the property.
Make sure to include the barrier or fencing around the pool as well as the pool-specific components like the pumps and filters. If anything seems out of place or in poor condition, schedule repairs as soon as possible.
To keep your pool in continuously good condition, hire a professional to inspect and service the structure on a regular basis. You can also outline tenants' responsibilities for cleaning and maintaining the pool while they occupy the rental property.
However, you can also include pool cleaning and maintenance costs in your rental agreement so a professional is the only one handling the structure. In this case, you ensure your pool stays in good repair and clean condition, which preserves the lifespan of your pool—and continues maintaining its value.
If you need to schedule service for your pool or purchase any replacement parts to keep your aquatic system up and running, rely on Shenton Pumps to provide you with what you need. And if you have any questions, we'll happily answer them so you can feel confident that we'll help your pool work as effectively as possible.