Renting a Pool Home in Orlando

[TamaraQT]

Hello everyone, I came here to get some advice/insight about renting a pool home for 2 weeks in Orlando area. I have always stayed at timeshare resorts so I have no experience on renting a home with a pool. I am VERY concerned with the maintenance of a pool. Staying at timeshares, I see them test/treat the pool water. I also see them cleaning/skimming the pool daily before it opens. So my question is: If I rent a private home with a pool am I responsible for cleaning it daily? My family wants to rent a 7 bedroom unit with our own pool for a family reunion. I'd rather stay at a timeshare resort so we don't have to worry about pool maintenance. Am I overreacting? Please share any info and experiences you've had. I appreciate any input and advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[WVBaker]

Hi Tamara, we rented one a while ago and the owner took care of everything. The owner should take care of this however, if it makes you feel better just ask before you rent.

 

[TamaraQT]

Hi Tamara, we rented one a while ago and the owner took care of everything. The owner should take care of this however, if it makes you feel better just ask before you rent.

Thanks @WVBaker , I intended on asking. I just came to ask fellow TUG members their experiences. I really prefer a timeshare but the majority wants to rent a pool home. Thanks.

 

[moonstone]

You should probably check with the home owner as to the pool maintenance. DH's cousin rents a nice home with a pool outside of Fort Lauderdale each Feb. The home owner's 'pool guy' comes each week at a pre-arranged time to clean the pool and do maintenance. He is also the guy they called last year when the heater quit. They don't have to do a thing to the pool during their stay. It is enclosed in a screened 'room' so leaves don't even get in the pool.

~Diane

 

[Janann]

Are you worried about having to clean the pool yourself, or worried that it hasn't been cleaned and chlorinated properly?

You can buy a package of water test strips for under $20 and check the chemical levels yourself.

 

[Sea Six]

The owner has a pool service come by once a week to clean and add chemicals. Like most of us in south Florida. You just may be surprised when one day a rusty old Ford Ranger shows up and a guy is carrying yellow chlorine bottles onto your lanai.

 

[TamaraQT]

Are you worried about having to clean the pool yourself, or worried that it hasn't been cleaned and chlorinated properly?

You can buy a package of water test strips for under $20 and check the chemical levels yourself.

Both...but I have resolved to believe that renting a pool home is not advisable if pool maintenance is my concern. I am not buying test strips to test myself. I refuse to be responsible to maintain a pool while on vacation. Thanks for your response. I think I will stay at a timeshare resort. If the rest of the family rents a pool home then I will commute back and forth. A week without water tests is one thing but we are staying 2 weeks. If an owner takes responsibility for it then I may reconsider. Thanks for the input.

 

[Sea Six]

Seriously, NOBODY rents a house without having a pool service, or a lawn service, etc. You just don't know when they show up.. You may want to sleep late, and hear all the machines going, but such is life. It is what it is. No different than any high end resort. They mow, they blow, they trim, they edge, they trim, then they go away. Then the neighbors service shows up. It never stops!

 

[silentg]

My sister has rented houses in Orlando area and if there was a pool it was taken care of by the owner..
Let us know if this is the case for your rental.
Silentg

 

[TamaraQT]

Thanks everyone. I feel more confident. I wouldn't be so overly concerned and overreacting if only there for a week. But the plan is 2 weeks. I will pass the info onto my family and make sure its addressed with the owner before THEY rent. Notice I said THEY. I guess I really don't like the private home idea.

 

[Big Matt]

Just get an AirBnB. Everything is included and you won't have to worry about anything. Just make sure that you check up on the hosts. Alternatively look at VRBO. Same deal

 

[mcsteve]

I’ve rented houses in both FL and NV with pools and in all cases the owner has an arrangement with a service to look after everything. Simply ask the question with the owner and I am sure they will put your mind at ease. I did every time and in the form of “what day does the pool guy come so we know when to expect him”. They have always provided the day and we rest at ease.

 

[Sea Six]

Just make sure the lanai door is unlocked the day the pool guy comes.