NY officials warn homeowners not to rent backyard pools

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Homeowners thinking about renting their private pools to New Yorkers looking to cool off during the hot Gotham summer may be breaking the law, officials said.

Authorities are advising against using Swimply and other apps to use backyard pools from strangers for health and safety concerns, according to Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon.

“Rentals of private backyard swimming pools to strangers are illegal if not in
compliance with the New York State Sanitary Code which requires that public pools follow specific construction standards and abide by water treatment requirements,” officials said.

The private pools are not maintained or inspected like public pools, and don’t have lifeguards, leaving homeowners vulnerable to several civil violations and even charges like criminal negligence if an accident happens, authorities said.

McMahon said his office has received numerous complaints from Staten Islanders about such activities but a spokesperson did not provide any details of the complaints or if there have been any accidents.

The politician encourages locals to use the borough’s public pools and beaches instead.

“I implore homeowners across our beloved borough to immediately cease
poolside subletting before any civil or criminal penalties incur,” the district attorney said.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

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