The Growing Phenomenon of Renting Private Pools Through Swimply

In Birmingham, Alabama, Jasmine Lawson’s Endless Summer Oasis pool attracts over 1,000 visitors each season. This influx of guests is facilitated through Swimply, a platform that allows homeowners to rent out their pools, similar to how Airbnb operates for homes.

Last year, Meghan Clopton used Swimply to host a vibrant summer party for her child. The event included water guns, slides, and inflatable toys. Clopton rented the pool for $381, accommodating up to 30 guests for three hours. Her guests were curious about the pool’s ownership. She explained that it was a rental.

Lawson’s pool visitors enjoy amenities like a hot tub, an eight-foot deep pool, and a well-equipped room for parties, featuring a private bathroom. With a selection of 50 different pool floats, guests frequently opt for the popular unicorn inflatable that sprays water.

Every new guest receives a tour from Lawson to ensure a smooth experience, although she is available for assistance when needed. Originally, Lawson began renting out her pool to cover veterinary expenses for her dog. Now, it serves as a source to offset pool upkeep costs.

Bunim Laskin, Swimply’s founder, launched the service in 2019 after negotiating with a pool-owning neighbor to host an event. Swimply has expanded to 150 cities and completed over 275,000 bookings this year, showing significant growth from the previous year.

Unlike Airbnb users, who typically come from out of town, Swimply’s clientele is predominantly locals seeking accessible staycations. The platform thrived during the pandemic when people needed alternative income sources and local leisure options.

However, renting a pool raises liability concerns. Swimply offers its hosts up to $1 million in liability coverage, similar to Airbnb’s policy. The legal responsibilities of sharing economy companies are still under scrutiny. Cases like the one in Minnesota, questioning whether Swimply pools require public facility licensing, illustrate ongoing debates.

Some communities might oppose such rentals due to liability fears. For instance, Lawson’s pool maintenance provider dropped her services over concerns about chemical-related incidents. Undeterred, Lawson manages pool maintenance herself.

Moreover, Meghan Clopton, after renting Lawson’s pool, considered building her own but found the $60,000 to $110,000 quotes daunting. For now, she plans to continue renting and even envisions listing her future pool on Swimply.