- June 13, 2024
- Posted by: CCM
- Category: Uncategorized
While every season in Florida is swimming season, when school’s out for the summer, even more families will be flocking to the pool. Homeowners love having access to a pool as part of their HOA amenities. While playing and swimming at the pool is fun, it’s also dangerous. HOAs have a duty to protect their residents by developing and enforcing rules about behavior in and around the pool to keep pool-goers safe.
No Diving.
Diving into water that is too shallow can cause spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or death. By posting a rule prohibiting diving, you may be able to limit the likelihood of someone suffering one of these tragic accidents in your HOA’s pool.
No Glass Containers on the Pool Deck.
With residents walking around barefoot, a piece of broken glass could seriously injure someone if they step on it.
No Running on the Pool Deck or Horseplay on the Deck or In the Pool.
This can be hard to enforce, especially if there are many children at the pool, however for safety’s sake, it’s still an essential rule. Running or horseplay could cause someone who can’t swim well to fall into or be knocked into the pool. If lifeguards see someone running on the pool deck, they should remind the resident to walk. Similarly, if they see residents behaving unsafely in the pool, they should tell them to stop.
No Swimming During Inclement Weather.
Swimming during a storm with thunder and lightning can put a resident at risk of electrocution. Similarly, if swimming during high winds, a projectile could hit a resident.
Other Rules Your HOA May Wish to Consider
- Will your HOA allow alcohol on the pool deck?
- Can residents use the pool if there is not a lifeguard on duty?
- Will you require residents to enter the pool area with a key card? This can be helpful to prevent unauthorized users as well as prevent vandalism.
Your HOA’s pool rules must comply with the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. To comply with FHA requirements, all rules must apply to everyone and not single out anyone due to age. For example, a rule requiring babies to wear swim diapers could run afoul of FHA requirements because it is an age-based rule. In contrast, a rule requiring anyone who has incontinence to wear a swim diaper could be acceptable since it impacts everyone. To comply with ADA requirements, service animals should be allowed on the pool deck, and the pool and pool deck should be built to be accessible to those with disabilities.
Your choice of rules for your HOA’s pool impacts your liability if someone if injured, killed, or feels they have been discriminated against. Before making any rule changes, consult your HOA’s attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. For more suggestions on managing your pool and property, contact CCM. We offer exceptional property management services to many of South Florida’s premier communities.
Consolidated Community Management (CCM) is a full-service property management company specializing in condominium and homeowner association management in Broward and southern Palm Beach Counties. We are committed to working together with community Boards of Directors to develop management plans tailored to the unique requirements of each community and their residents.
CCM provides a quality of service that is unique to our industry and consistently delivers a distinct competitive advantage. Our concentrated, extensive local presence and knowledge of community associations results in lasting partnerships and superior service. We have built our industry reputation on employing the best in the business and assigning only a limited number of properties to each Property Manager Team.
Our team at Consolidated Community Management provides expert property management services at competitive prices. Contact us today by calling (954) 718-9903 or clicking on ccmfla.com.