[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

In addition to liability I would be concerned about the pool water. Specifically, I worry about TDS (total dissolved solids) building up in the pool water. We are very careful to not introduce stuff into the pool that builds up TDS and wouldn’t trust others to do the same. TDS come from things like soap residue, sun tan lotion, deodorant, make-up, perfume, and other man made products. Natural stuff like dirt, hair, and sweat are taken care of by the pool chemicals and filter, but TDS can not be removed from the water. When the TDS count gets high it becomes very difficult to properly balance the pool water and the water must be drained and replaced, which is both a pain in the a$$ and expensive.

If you have internet active when not there I would put a camera in your birdcage to watch your pool, otherwise I would put up a battery operated trail camera. We don’t lock the doors to our birdcage because if someone wants to get in it would be better to let them use the door than cut your screen. Good luck.

I agree that I would not let my neighbor have access to my pool when I'm gone - the liability issue would be my primary reason.

The information concerning TDS is inaccurate and a relic of the way pools were cared for years ago (reference TDS - Further Reading | Trouble Free Pool). When properly checked and maintained, TDS never comes close to being an issue, and is irrelevant.

The only time a pool owner should ever have to drain a pool is if CYA (cyanuric acid) levels or pool hardness reach levels that compromise the ability to maintain the pool. Even then, it's not costly. Simply drain the amount of water required to bring the levels down to the recommended levels (there are calculators to determine how much to drain) using a standard sump pump attached to a hose. Then bring the level back up using your water supply. When I filled my entire pool, the cost was less than $30, so If I had to remove 1/3 of my water to correct one of the above issues we're only looking at $10.

[Speedie]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

In addition to liability I would be concerned about the pool water. Specifically, I worry about TDS (total dissolved solids) building up in the pool water. We are very careful to not introduce stuff into the pool that builds up TDS and wouldn’t trust others to do the same. TDS come from things like soap residue, sun tan lotion, deodorant, make-up, perfume, and other man made products. Natural stuff like dirt, hair, and sweat are taken care of by the pool chemicals and filter, but TDS can not be removed from the water. When the TDS count gets high it becomes very difficult to properly balance the pool water and the water must be drained and replaced, which is both a pain in the a$$ and expensive.

If you have internet active when not there I would put a camera in your birdcage to watch your pool, otherwise I would put up a battery operated trail camera. We don’t lock the doors to our birdcage because if someone wants to get in it would be better to let them use the door than cut your screen. Good luck.

Most TDS comes from the water that has evaporated leaving behind the dissolved solids naturally in the fill water. Over time the concentration will increase and need to be reduced by flushing part of the water out of the pool and replacing with fresh water resulting in dilution of the high TDS

[Bitsee]

We had bought a brand new corner CYV 6 years ago near Brownwood.
Our new so called "friends" and neighbors we THOUGHT we could trust with a key.. agreed to check our house once a month while we were up north for 4 months.
Well I'm here to say that our home was one big free for all that 1st summer there !!!!
Those trusted neighbors invited thier relatives to stay in our house, stored things in our garage, used items from our home and kept them,
used our corner lot, and back yard for a dog potty place continually, and left oil stains in our driveway from the vehicles that were parked
there on a regular basis......
ALL OF THIS OCCURRED THAT SUMMER AT OUR CYV WITHOUT ANY OF OUR PERMISSION MIND YOU !!!!
When we returned in Fall the one and only nice neighbor lady in there told us what had been going on there that entire time.....WOW.
Needless to say, WE WERE BEYOND LIVID !!
A huge confrontation took place with those so called friends, we sent them a bill for the entire cleanup fees, and put every person on notice that lived next to us and witnessed that fiasco for 4 months.
And get this.....all those neighbors were so angry that we returned for the winter and thier free-for-all was over that they refused to talk to us !!!!
Needless to say, that house was sold 3 weeks later and we NEVER looked back !!!!
Good riddance to bad rubbish ~

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by Maritimer

We bought a home with a pool recently. Like most in TV its in a lanai with appropriate screen doors. But when we are away we leave a lanai door unlocked so the pool guy can get in -- the latch is more than 54" above the ground as is required for toddler intrusion safety. The neighbours (who are fine folk -- that's not the issue) have told us that when the previous owners were away for the summer, they were told that they could use the pool whenever they wanted -- and they did. There is an expectation or at least a hope, it would seem, that we will have the same "policy". But the liability issue if there is an accident seems to us very serious. Sure, perhaps the neighbours would not sue if there were a slip and fall on the pool deck or worse, but the insurance companies are seldom so understanding. Any thoughts or experience on how this expectation of being a good neighbour is handled?

Absolutely no! Liability, my neighbour asked me to use our pool when we were gone, no. He didn’t like it, too bad. There are so many pools in the villages use them .

[Djean1981]

Just no. I would not like others in my house or pool while I'm away.

[asianthree]

Then again OP your neighbors may be giving you a line of sh**. That they were given free rain of using pool while previous owners were gone. Hoping you would fall for questionable idea, and guilt you if you choose not.

[CZN715]

Originally Posted by Maritimer

We bought a home with a pool recently. Like most in TV its in a lanai with appropriate screen doors. But when we are away we leave a lanai door unlocked so the pool guy can get in -- the latch is more than 54" above the ground as is required for toddler intrusion safety. The neighbours (who are fine folk -- that's not the issue) have told us that when the previous owners were away for the summer, they were told that they could use the pool whenever they wanted -- and they did. There is an expectation or at least a hope, it would seem, that we will have the same "policy". But the liability issue if there is an accident seems to us very serious. Sure, perhaps the neighbours would not sue if there were a slip and fall on the pool deck or worse, but the insurance companies are seldom so understanding. Any thoughts or experience on how this expectation of being a good neighbour is handled?

Same thing happened to me in CT. The occasional ask to use the pool turned into all day, everyday, radios, the dog, flotation devices, snacks, friends.. Made things very uncomfortable. They moved away before I had to throw them out. Never again!

[La lamy]

Another vote for NO, way too risky.

[Babubhat]

Why you have multiple security cameras to alert for any event. Inexpensive protection. Amazon has wyze for about 35 dollars

Originally Posted by Bitsee

We had bought a brand new corner CYV 6 years ago near Brownwood.
Our new so called "friends" and neighbors we THOUGHT we could trust with a key.. agreed to check our house once a month while we were up north for 4 months.
Well I'm here to say that our home was one big free for all that 1st summer there !!!!
Those trusted neighbors invited thier relatives to stay in our house, stored things in our garage, used items from our home and kept them,
used our corner lot, and back yard for a dog potty place continually, and left oil stains in our driveway from the vehicles that were parked
there on a regular basis......
ALL OF THIS OCCURRED THAT SUMMER AT OUR CYV WITHOUT ANY OF OUR PERMISSION MIND YOU !!!!
When we returned in Fall the one and only nice neighbor lady in there told us what had been going on there that entire time.....WOW.
Needless to say, WE WERE BEYOND LIVID !!
A huge confrontation took place with those so called friends, we sent them a bill for the entire cleanup fees, and put every person on notice that lived next to us and witnessed that fiasco for 4 months.
And get this.....all those neighbors were so angry that we returned for the winter and thier free-for-all was over that they refused to talk to us !!!!
Needless to say, that house was sold 3 weeks later and we NEVER looked back !!!!
Good riddance to bad rubbish ~

[Luggage]

And then they'll also drink your liquor. As others have said put on a lock and give your pool guy a key. Solve the problem and then don't worry about kids or dogs getting into the Ianai

[banjobob]

I would just say no to the use of the pool while you are away, just good common sense so that no issues ever arise.

[bowlingal]

Do you know for a fact that the previous owners allowed your neighbors to use your pool?

[sallyg]

Just say sorry, no. Too risky. Best to lock the door and give the pool guy a key. I'd say your neighbors were pretty nervy to ask. Lots of pools here for their enjoyment.

[Bikehike]

There are so many pools in The Villages and there's always one right around the corner. Maybe if they were acting as your home watch? But no parties Joel use your best judgment

[NoMo50]

No way, no how. You are not being stingy, you're being smart. I would also go the extra mile and install motion activated WiFi cameras in the pool area. Then, you can remotely ensure your neighbors are not on your property without permission, plus you can check to make sure your pool service person is doing his/her job. The nerve of some folks is unbelievable.