Particular pools and situations
Pool maintenance when you rent a villa
A pool can be the highlight of a rented villa and also a source of disputes. Knowing who looks after what avoids both.
Tenancy agreements differ on pools. Some landlords include regular maintenance; others expect the tenant to arrange and pay for routine care while the landlord remains responsible for equipment repairs and replacements. Where the agreement is silent, the split is worth clarifying in writing before the tenancy starts.
These guides adapt pool care to a particular season, household or type of pool.
Whatever the arrangement, recording the pool’s condition at move-in — photographs of the water, the finish, the plant room and the equipment, and a note of anything not working — protects both sides. During the tenancy, faults should be reported promptly in writing, because a small leak or a noisy pump left unreported can turn into a larger repair.
The short version
Read the agreement
It may say who handles routine care and who handles repairs.
Record the condition at move-in
Photos of water, finish and equipment avoid later disagreement.
Report faults in writing
Prompt reports protect the tenant and limit damage.
Typical division of responsibilities
Routine care
Cleaning, chemicals and regular visits — often the tenant’s, depending on the agreement.
Repairs and replacements
Pumps, filters, heaters and structural issues — often the landlord’s, depending on the agreement.
Grey areas
Damage from misuse, or problems from neglected routine care, are worth discussing up front.
At the start of a tenancy
Photograph everything
Water, tiles, coping, plant room and equipment labels.
Ask for the equipment details
Models, manuals and the current maintenance arrangement.
Agree who to call
For routine visits and for breakdowns.
Common questions
Who pays if the pump breaks?
It depends on the tenancy agreement. Equipment failure is commonly the landlord’s responsibility, but check your agreement.
Can I hire my own maintenance company?
Usually, if the agreement allows. Share visit records with the landlord.
What should I do before moving out?
Leave the pool clean and balanced and photograph its condition, as at move-in.
Related pool care guides
- Protecting the pool during garden worksPool care for a related situation.
- Dealing with a contamination incident in a private poolPool care for a related situation.
- Weekly or fortnightly pool serviceA related choice about how the pool is looked after.
- Doing it yourself or using a pool technicianA related choice about how the pool is looked after.
This guide sits under pool maintenance. Browse all pool care guides. We look after pools at homes and commercial properties across Dubai.
Ask about your pool
Describe the pool and the question. We will answer directly, and say when the honest answer is that nothing needs doing.
Phone
+971 56 181 0106Talk through what the pool is doing and book a time for us to see it.
WhatsApp
Send a messageThe easiest way to send photographs of the pool and plant room.
Next step
Renting a villa with a pool?
Tell us how the tenancy splits responsibilities. We can provide visit records that suit both tenant and landlord.