Virginia Graeme Baker Act for Public Swimming Pools and Hot-tubs

Virginia Graeme Baker was only seven years old when she lost her life in an incident when she was trapped in a hot tub by the suction from the drain. As a result, the Virginia Graeme Baker Act was conceived. It was the Baker's family's hope that Virginia's tragedy would prevent others from this tragic occurrence ever happening again by advocating for public pool safety.

Offering rental properties with public amenities such as pools and hot-tubs is advantageous in many ways for both landlord and tenant. Who does not like to splash around in a pool on a hot summer’s day or slip into a nice, warm hot-tub on a cool Autumn evening? Let’s face it, providing these extra perks in your rental community can be very enticing and even maximize occupancies. With benefits come risks and it is important to make sure that, as a landlord, you are staying within the parameters set up by state and local law and regulations.

When renting a property which has a community swimming pool or hot tub, landlords and property managers have some responsibility in ensuring the safety of their tenants by regularly inspecting and maintaining these special property features. There is no such thing as being too cautious when it comes to the safety of tenants.

Landlords and property managers who offer rental homes with a public pool or hot tub also have an obligation to be not only be knowledgeable of any local, state or federal rules and regulations regarding safe maintenance and upkeep of such items but also must be intimately familiar with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. For example, landlords and property managers must be aware that swimming pools built before 2008 must have anti-entrapment drain covers. There are other important things to know and this informative document provides information for the Act.