Hot summer trend: Swimming pool rentals making a splash in Central Mass.

Over the last several years, it's become increasingly popular to rent someone else's home using websites like Vrbo and AirBnb . Now there's a new trend taking Central Massachusetts by storm: Pool rentals.

Swimply is similar to other rental sites. But instead of vacation homes, rooms or experiences, Swimply allows users to rent swimming pools by the hour or the day — and even offers monthly passes to participating pools. Created in 2018, the company gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a way for people to gather safely and for hosts to make extra income. Costs vary, but most local rentals range from $20 to $75 an hour, depending on pool size and amenities. In recent months, the site has also expanded to rent pickleball, tennis and basketball courts.

"I love the ability to be able to share my pool," said Jenifer, a local host who only wished to be identified by her first name. "When I hear children laughing and splashing outside it makes me very happy."

She is now in her third summer of hosting her swimming pool after a family member learned about the site on the television show "Shark Tank." Her children had moved out and the family had been spending more time maintaining their pool than actually using it, making renting the perfect option.

"This year has been great so far. We have had as many rentals so far this season as we had in the entirety of the last two seasons," she said, adding that in the past swimmers typically booked weekend dates, but this year she has been seeing bookings during the week due to the extreme heat.

Jessica Mullin is in her second summer as a host in Westborough and is also seeing a surge in bookings this year compared to last.

"This past Sunday, I had three bookings," she said, adding she leaves 30 minutes in between each guest to give the property a thorough cleaning and prepare for the next guest. "While it's a lot of work, the money is good enough to make the work worth it. I'm a single mom with three kids, living on a teacher's income. It's just so helpful to offset not just general expenses, but the expenses of owning a pool."

It's the third summer for Corinne Han-Danforth in Hopedale, who also discovered Swimply while watching "Shark Tank." She and her husband, Todd, began renting their pool not for the financial gain but "to get the joy of knowing the pool is not underutilized, as the daily pool maintenance is both laborious and expensive."

So far, she has seen a 40% increase in bookings this summer from last, she said, giving this year's extreme heat credit for the increase in bookings.

"My Swimply guests love the beautiful landscape and design of the pool area, the privacy and additional amenities like a mini fridge, grill, pool basketball hoop and an outdoor pingpong table," she said, adding hers is a saltwater heated pool, an attraction in itself.

"It's very calming and you will feel like you are gliding through silky smooth water as you swim. This feature has also attracted families with kids who have autism and other challenges as they use my pool for therapy. I love that I can help in this way."

In the past, Han-Danforth said, she has had professional photographers from as far away as Maine book the pool for shoots and has hosted a number of events from birthday parties to family gatherings.

To address risks associated with being a host, many pool owners set rules and prohibit things like pets, glass and alcohol.

"You have to do what's comfortable for you," Mullin said. "I'm cautious about the risk, so if I'm not home, I don't allow other people to use my pool."

"It can be a little nerve-wracking when a lot of people or small children are swimming," Jenifer said. "You hope the adults are watching the kids, but that is not always the case. We participate in the ' Colin's Hope ' initiative, which is a wristband that is given to a specific adult to assign them as a 'water guardian.' Often with large groups everyone is watching the kids and ultimately, nobody is watching them. The 'water guardian' has to pass off the wristband if they even go to the bathroom for a minute to make sure someone is always watching."

Swimply offers up to $2 million for general liability claims and $10,000 of property protection per occurrence.

"I would advise hosts to consider how much of the pool rental business they want to do as they could be stuck at home when the pool is booked for the entire weekend," Han-Danforth said. "It is a matter of balancing business with personal life."

And if you're thinking about renting for the first time, Han-Danforth said, "treat the property as their own and be respectful of pool rules, if they want to be invited back or able to use another Swimply pool," adding guests, just like hosts, are rated after every experience.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Hot summer trend: Swimming pool rentals making a splash in Central Mass.