A Safe Pool Environment Can Help Your Long Beach Rental
Dustin Edwards • August 2, 2021
The Right Pool Area Can Help Your Long Beach Rental
Though a rental with a pool
has numerous benefits, there are several safety concerns to consider. Failure to make your Long Beach rental’s pool a harmless environment can pose a significant legal liability for you. Not to mention, facing the wrath of injured and angered tenants is hardly a landlord’s dream.
Below are some simple yet important additions you should implement to make your pool as safe as possible.
Pool Fence
Installing fencing around your rental’s pool is necessary to keep unaccompanied children out of the pool. This protects your tenants’ kids from severe injuries or accidental drowning and eliminates any liability you may otherwise face.
Aside from children, pool fences can prevent pets or wild animals from entering your rental’s pool. Squirrels, mice, rats, raccoons, and opossums in search of water will happily drink pool water. In the midst of their endeavor, these creatures may defecate in/near the pool or slip into the pool and drown. Either occurrence presents a biological health hazard for your tenants and, at the very least, will cause severe discomfort if they happen to discover a dead animal floating on the surface.
The price of a pool fence varies by the size of your rental’s pool and the type of material you wish to use. Consulting with your local pool supplies company can give you the best idea of what rates to expect.
First Aid Kit
Imagine your tenants are having a wonderful afternoon lounging by the pool. Dad is cooking delicious burgers on the grill. Mom is reading an engrossing mystery while sipping a sweet cocktail. And the kids are roughhousing in the water. Then, it happens. One of the kids slips on the damp cement while exiting the pool and scrapes their knee.
To simplify scenarios like these, put together an easy-to-locate first aid kit. Waterproof bandages (both small for tiny cuts and large for bigger scrapes), Neosporin or another antibiotic, compress gauze pads, and acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol) are essential items to include. Additionally, perhaps add some aloe vera for minor sun irritation and sunscreen to prevent further burns.
Your tenants will appreciate all the supplies readily available to them, especially in the event of a minor emergency like the one described above.
Non-slip Material
Accidents like scraped knees or gashed elbows can easily be avoided by investing in non-slip deck material. When kids, or distracted adults, run around after coming out of the pool, they are bound to slip on wet flooring. However, non-slip deck material can absorb this excess water and reduce the risk of falls. Not only will this protect your tenants, but it will also reduce your liability risk. In the rare event that one of your tenants tumbles on the non-slip material, you will not be held accountable for the accident as you took the responsible preventative measures.
Brands like Ames Safe-T-Deck
adhere to a wooden deck similar to paint and can be found at Home Depot. They come in different color swatches to match your deck color and cost around $80 per gallon.
Safety Rails
While safety rails are common sights at public and hotel pools, chances are you have not seen many of them at residential pools. That being said, safety rails are one of the most necessary factors for a rental with a pool as they reduce the risk of falls that occur when entering or exiting a pool.
Furthermore, safety rails accommodate disabled tenants or tenants who struggle with reduced movement. Regardless, all tenants can appreciate the added safety and ease safety rails bring.
The price of safety rails can range anywhere from $150 to $450 depending on the best choice for your pool. In the Swim
has plenty of options but you can also check your local pool supplies company.
Maintenance
One of the obvious drawbacks of a rental with a pool is the maintenance. Although you can put your tenants in charge of standard pool maintenance, such as chlorination, vacuuming, and straining, there is no guarantee that they will treat the responsibility seriously or do an adequate job. As such, it is best to complete pool maintenance yourself or hire a professional pool cleaner.
Whether you decide to hire a professional pool cleaner or do the job yourself, it is vital that you keep the pool cleaning supplies in a protected area that cannot be easily accessed by your tenants, such as a locked pool shed or your personal residence.
Chlorine tablets are dangerous chemicals and children or pets who wander into an unlocked pool shed may ingest these harmful products. Doing so can result in severe sickness, hospitalization, or even death. Chlorine tablets are not the only hazardous pool cleaning supplies. Nets to collect leaves, trash, and other debris from the water can inadvertently suffocate a helpless small child.
Situations like these can present severe legal issues for you and, if serious enough, can incur fines or a prison sentence. Thus, you must find a lock that carefully and effectively safeguards your pool shed.
A rental with a pool significantly interests potential tenants, especially in the year-round warmth of Long Beach. Nevertheless, implementing the above safety measures is important to protecting your tenants and yourself from any potential liability. If you would like assistance with these changes to your pool, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247, or you can fill out our Owner Application online.
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Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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