[JSR22]

We have a pool, and none of our neighbors have asked to use it when we go away. One person did ask if they could bring their dogs over to swim.

[tonycirocco@me.com]

Dogs!!????

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by tonycirocco@me.com

Dogs!!????

Yes dogs like to swim, and they cannot go into the ponds because of the alligators.

[TOMCAT]

I would never ask anyone if I can use their pool when they are away. Even I know about liabilities. There are plenty of pools that I can go to. That reminds me when a child asks me to pet my dog in front of a parent. I feel bad, but I usually say no because I am not sure how my dog will react and might bite. He has not bitten anyone yet, but one never knows.

[TOMCAT]

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 ~

So sorry for your experience. Some people can take advantage of good nature. That was terrible!

[MSGirl]

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?

Maybe it’s me, but besides the liability issue, I think it’s a little nervy of the neighbors!

[NotGolfer]

I have friends and acquaintances who have pools---I'd never ask them if I could use it, even if they were home!! I agree with the other posts re: liabilty etc., but it's just not using manners to ask for any time!!!

[KSSunshine]

After reading through the comments, (and we have a pool, too), it is too much of a liability risk. While they would say that they would never sue you, a third party could to recover their costs against your home owners insurance. I also make sure that both of us are in the pool area since at our age, a medical event can occur. You potentially have more people around you at a Villages pool to provide aid until EMS can arrive. While I love my neighbors, I will just invite them when we are home. May be a good idea to check with your insurance agent about your liability if someone gets hurt in your pool...or uses it without your blessing.

[billethkid]

Common sense conclusion.....Nobody outside, the family, uses the pool while we are away!
No further discussion needed.

[OhioBuckeye]

You know where we live (not in TV) we have Blink Cameras, they’re inexpensive & you can see anybody that comes in view of the camera when you’re anywhere in the U.S. We live in Texas & we see anything or anyone in Ohio. As soon as you see them on your Blink camera you could call the police. We have one on the back of our house & on our front porch. No one can get away with anything, they’re very clear!

[tophcfa]

If we were willing to let others use our pool while we weren’t at our Villages home then we would rent our home and get paid for it. That’s one of the primary reasons we have never rented our home.

[Mellow]

I would think it to be extremely forward of the neighbors to think you would take a chance on such a liability.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Maybe I'm missing something, but with so many pools available, why would you ask to use someone's private pool. In fact, why would anyone want a private pool?

I had one in SoCal for several years. It's kind of like the beach when you live there. You use it a bunch the first summer, half as much the next summer, half as much of that again the third summer and by year 5, you don't even look at it. You just pay the premium for installing it and then keeping it running. About year 5 you're due for a plaster acid washing on top of all that.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Maybe I'm missing something, but with so many pools available, why would you ask to use someone's private pool. In fact, why would anyone want a private pool?

I had one in SoCal for several years. It's kind of like the beach when you live there. You use it a bunch the first summer, half as much the next summer, half as much of that again the third summer and by year 5, you don't even look at it. You just pay the premium for installing it and then keeping it running. About year 5 you're due for a plaster acid washing on top of all that.

I totally disagree. We had our pool built 7 1/2 years ago and use it almost daily. It was fantastic during the pandemic. I would not live here without my own pool. Nothing beats floating in the dark looking up at the stars.

[sborlove]

Remember the pool is protected by only a screen that can be cut or pushed in/out. So when you lock your pool you create more damage. The best thing to do is put up camera's and ask your neighbors to watch your house.