FAQ - Hosts

Who will be coming to my pool?

Swimmers are more often than not local families or individuals looking for a quiet place to swim. Private pools also make ideal locations for neurodiverse children and families, as well as small swim classes, to come and enjoy a swim.

If you want to allow pool parties, or swim schools to also use the pool then this is something you will also be able to offer through Swimple.

Do I need to be there?

It's up to you, but in general, no, you don't need to be there.

You can message swimmers directly with any specific entry requirements they may need, and any additional information so you don't need to be there.

Do I need insurance?

Yes. To hire out your pool through Swimple you must have appropriate Pool Operators Liability Insurance (or equivalent swimming pool hire public liability insurance) in place.

Swimple offers two ways to meet this requirement:

Option 1 – Swimple-facilitated insurance

If you don't already have suitable insurance, you can opt into Swimple's insurance during the pool listing process for a small additional fee (currently 2.9% of each completed booking). This provides Pool Operators Liability Insurance, together with Property Damage cover, for bookings made and paid for through the Swimple platform only.

Option 2 – Your own insurance

If you already have suitable Pool Operators Liability Insurance, you can use your own policy instead. You may be asked to provide evidence that your cover is suitable for commercial pool hire.

Important:

• Swimple-facilitated insurance only applies to bookings made through Swimple. Private bookings arranged outside the platform are not covered.

• You should also check with your home/buildings insurer that they are happy for you to rent out your pool. Some standard household insurers may require you to notify them or arrange alternative cover. If you need help with this then independent brokers BGi.uk have some great options.

  
  

For full details of Swimple's insurance offering, including cover, exclusions and eligibility, please refer to our Terms & Conditions and Host Resource Centre.

What safety checks should I carry out?

As a Swimple host, you are responsible for taking reasonable steps to ensure your pool and surrounding facilities are safe for every booking.

Before welcoming swimmers, you should regularly inspect your pool and carry out routine maintenance, including, but not limited to:

• Checking that pool ladders, steps and handrails are secure and in good condition.

• Ensuring pumps, filters, heating systems and other mechanical equipment are operating correctly.

• Making sure all electrical equipment and installations are safe, properly maintained and comply with applicable regulations.

• Maintaining clean, clear water with appropriate chemical levels and filtration.

• Inspecting the pool surround for slip, trip or fall hazards and repairing any defects promptly.

• Ensuring safety features such as gates, fencing, covers, safety equipment and warning signs (where applicable) are in good working order.

• Removing or isolating any equipment or hazards that could pose a safety risk until they have been repaired, replaced or otherwise made safe.

Hosts should also carry out a suitable risk assessment for their pool, review it periodically, and keep maintenance, servicing and any required inspections up to date. This list is intended as general guidance and is not exhaustive. Hosts remain responsible for ensuring they comply with all applicable legal obligations, insurance requirements and manufacturers' maintenance recommendations relevant to their pool and facilities.

How do I get paid?

Swimple uses Stripe to handle all of its payment processing.

Payment is taken before the booking and is released to hosts once the booking has been marked complete by the swimmer, or after 7 days (whichever is sooner.)

How much should I charge?

Ultimately this is entirely up to you. We recommend charging between £20 - £40 per hour for your pool as a baseline. You can always start lower and then increase your price when you get busier.

Depending on how many swimmers you allow in your pool you could vary your pricing depending on the number of swimmers - £20 for 2 swimmers, £40 for 5 swimmers, for example.

How much does it cost to list my pool?

Listing your pool is absolutely FREE.

What fees do Swimple Charge?

Swimple charges a 12% commission on every booking. This allows us to keep providing you with the best service we can.

If you decide to opt in for the insurance then an additional 2.9% fee will be taken from each booking.

We also charge the swimmers a 6% service fee, plus 0.56% insurance fee, on every booking.

How long should I rent it out for?

This is entirely up to you. You could offer your pool up for 11 hours a day 7 days a week (providing your filtration system can cope with that number of people), or just for a few hours one afternoon.

There are no minimum or maximum hours on Swimple. The more hours you make available, the more income you could make.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Cancelling or rescheduling an appointment is easy. Simply go to your booking, hit reschedule and send a message to the swimmer. They will be prompted to choose another time and date. Or hit cancel to remove the booking completely.

What if a swimmer doesn't show up?

If a swimmer doesn't show up then they will still be charged and you will still be paid.

If a dispute is raised after the missed booking by a swimmer then Swimple will have final decision on whether a refund should be awarded.

How soon can I start renting my pool out?

All listings on Swimple are approved by one of our team before going live. This can take up to 24 hours. If any additional information is needed then a member of the Swimple team will be in touch.

What happens if a swimmer makes a mess?

If a swimmer leaves your pool area in a mess then please contact the Swimple team.

You can also leave them a bad review.

If there is any major damage then you should contact your insurance provider.

Do I need to provide toilets/ changing facilities?

The short answer is, no. There is no obligation for you to provide a toilet or changing facilities (though the absence of these facilities should be mentioned in your listing).

The more facilities you do offer, however, then the higher rates you can charge and the better feedback you'll likely get.

Do I need to provide towels/toys etc?

There is no obligation to offer any towels or toys. We recommend not offering towels and toys and simply provide the pool space.

Do I need a Lifeguard?

In most cases, no. There is no general legal requirement for private pools rented through Swimple to have a lifeguard on duty.

However, every host is responsible for carrying out a suitable risk assessment and taking reasonable steps to keep swimmers safe. Depending on your pool, the type of booking, or the activities taking place (for example swimming lessons, large group bookings or children's parties), you may decide that additional supervision or a qualified lifeguard is appropriate.

Hosts should ensure their pool rules are clearly communicated, maintain appropriate insurance, and follow all conditions of their insurance policy.

What about change of use/planning permission?

We recommend checking with your local stakeholders, local council/planning authority, home/buildings insurer and any other relevant organisations before renting out your pool. Requirements can vary depending on your property and how you intend to operate, so confirming any planning, insurance or other legal obligations in advance will help ensure you're ready to welcome swimmers safely and confidently.