Public health officials issue warning after new law allows private pools to be rented out in North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Just in time for summer, a new law in North Carolina allows private backyard pools to be rented out.

The trend is gaining popularity, but before you dive in, public health officials are issuing a warning.

Backyard private pool rentals are making a splash across Charlotte.

The map on Swimply.com shows pools for rent in the area ranging from $32 to $180 an hour.

“People are just utilizing their own property in order to make a little extra money,” said Chrystal Swinger, Director of Environmental Health for Mecklenburg County Public Health.

Think of it as an Airbnb, but just for the pool.

Before July 1st, backyard private pool rentals were kind of out floating on an island by themselves.

They weren’t regulated in North Carolina, but Swinger says a new law now puts in specific requirements for pool owners.

“Just having your chlorine in your pool, some safety precautions, some fencing, just things to keep the pool safe,” said Swinger.

While the law lays out certain requirements for backyard private pool rentals, Mecklenburg County Public Health says there’s no one to enforce it, so it’s a little bit of rent, or swim, at your own risk.

“When you’re starting to get a lot of people and you’re booking every weekend, various people that you don’t know them as your guest, it’s a little concerning because you’re not sure what their expectations are coming in or what their behavior is going to be,” said Swinger.

She says it’s important for renters to be aware of the new law and question pool owners about their safety.

“You can ask them, ‘Where is your emergency phone? Is there a bathroom we can use? How do you know the pool’s chlorinated? When did you last check it?” said Swinger.