Advise on pool maintenance and new pool equipment

[JB B.]

HI,

We have a property with a pool/spa and we take care of the weekly maintenance (pool/spa lease addendum). 

When we leased the property, the pool/spa heater was not operational/repairable anymore. Tenant moved in and asked if we were going to replace the heater. At the time I said I would look into it and probably replace it. Fast forward 2 months, I have not replaced the heater yet. The tenant keeps on asking my pool man about it and also has asked me again. I told him I was looking at it.

The reason I have dragged my feet is because I noticed that, eventhough we take care of the weekly pool maintenance, the tenant does not seem to keep up with the leaves clean up in the skimmer (we have many trees around the pool/neighbor, and the skimmer baskets fill up very quickly especially now). I had to replace the capacitator on my pump last week, maybe due to excessive strain on the pump (leaves restriction in the baskets). Hard to prove, but that could be a cause. This does not encourage me to replace the heater, since they can be very sensitive to water flow and other restrictions in the lines. Just added chances to have un-necessary pool repairs.

Unless I do bi-or tri-weekly inspections to catch the non maintenance of the skimmer baskets, would it be ok to tell the tenant that we will replace the heater, but any future maintenance/repairs would be their responsibility ?

NOTE : I know some of you will mention that I should never have agreed to replace the heater when I was asked; its been said and done. I have to deal with it. I am looking at some ideas on how to best deal with the situation.

Thanks!