When scouting for a short term rental or a weekly rental in Arizona, pools are a highly sought-after amenity, especially in the harsh desert environment. They’re a great way to cool down in the hot summer months, and contribute to a fantastic guest experience.

The pool is a focal point of your vacation rental. This makes proper pool maintenance and safety a necessity.

Safety

Pool safety is critical across the board. Accidents can happen to any guest under a myriad of circumstances.

Signage

Posting pool safety signs helps reduce liabilities. Include lines such as “No Diving,” “No Glass,” “No Running on Pool Deck,” and “No Lifeguard on Duty.” If your pool does not have a fence, make that clear as well. Don’t forget to include the days and times of regularly scheduled maintenance to avoid any surprises for guests. Post signs with bold, bright, eye-catching text. Post them both in the home and outside in the backyard. Posting by patio doors and pool entrances provides additional warnings.

Accessories

Having a variety of floating pool toys and safety accessories on hand helps guests stay safe. Stock your pool shed with pool noodles, and inflatable pool toys. Goggles keep chlorinated water out of sensitive eyes. A selection of arm floaties and life jackets in a variety of sizes not only will give peace of mind to parents, but also show your thoughtfulness as an owner and further contributes to an outstanding guest experience.

Fences and Gates

If at all possible, install a fence with a locking gate around the perimeter of the pool. Make sure the lock is secure and both fence and lock are high enough off the ground to be out of reach of small children. Make sure appropriate signage is posted by the gate. If a fence cannot be built, make sure there are child safety locks on any doors leading to the pool.

Chemicals and Storage

Store tools, equipment, and pool chemicals are stored in a secure, locked location guests can’t access. If a cleaner or pool tech needs access to the shed, use a combination lock and give them the code. Do not share this code with guests.

Opt for an automated tab feeder to dispense chlorine over a floating chlorinator to keep children from mistaking it as a toy.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas look picturesque and add greatly-needed shade, but when a monsoon hits and guests fail to close them, they become a major liability. In a split second a gust of wind can send them airborne into the pool, crashing into the house, or worse yet, into a neighbor’s house. Consider other alternatives, such as a shade sail.

Glass

An often-overlooked hazard, broken glass in the pool is not only a danger to guests, it’s an expensive removal and can damage your pool motor if it goes through the filtration system. Stock your rental with pool-safe, shatterproof plastic drinkware. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and are available at all price points. Include can cozies and a plastic pitcher for an extra touch. Most pool drinkware is also dishwasher safe. Check labels before purchasing.

Pool Treatment and Maintenance

A short term rental pool sees heavy use, especially in the summer months. Keep a fully-stocked test kit on hand to check the water balance(PH should be between 7.4-7.6 and chlorine should be 1-3 ppm). Skim the surface of the water regularly to remove leaves, insects, and other debris, and brush the entire pool base with a pool brush. The pump should run 8-12 hours a day for proper water circulation, which helps prevent algae and bacterial growth. It also mixes and dispenses pool chemicals evenly throughout.

Monsoon season brings in extra dust and debris that settles into every crevice of the pool. Hire a pool technician and schedule regular maintenance visits to help keep your pool clean and safe. Make sure they also service the filtration system and pool motor(especially during monsoon season!). Preventative maintenance will help you avoid costly equipment repairs and replacement later on.

If you follow these guidelines your pool stays sparkling clean and in great working order, and your guests will take happy memories with them when they check out!

Short Term Rental Manager has over 15 years of experience on both the real estate and management sides of vacation rentals. Our in-house roster of real estate agents, property managers, and cleaning team can help you maximize the potential of your property and give you the best return on your investment! Let us do the heavy lifting! We manage the bookings, handle maintenance and repairs, and make sure your property is sparkling clean and ready for guests! Visit our website to learn more.