Can I Put a Hot Tub in an Apartment?

With home ownership drifting out of reach for many people, there are more renters than ever. Condos have been popular for generations now.  

If you’re renting or living in a condo, trying to figure out what you can do to your own place is a big question. Many rental agreements and condo boards have rules and regulations on what can go where.

So can you put a hot tub in an apartment? Can you put one in a condo? These are good questions. We are asked them by potential customers in our retail stores, which is why we wanted to write this article.

They answer is yes you can, although it does depend on the circumstances. Factors include:

• Whether you’re allowed to install a hot tub
• If you have access to appropriate power requirements for your hot tub
• Whether there is an appropriate space for a hot tub that is safe
• If you have access to deliver the hot tub

We’ll go through all of these factors in this article, and hopefully by the end you’ll have a good sense of where you stand when it comes to putting a hot tub in an apartment or a condominium.

 

 

Do You Need Permission to Install a Hot Tub in an Apartment?

In most cases, if you don’t own the property, yes. So before you spend too much time planning on installing a hot tub in your apartment, make sure that you are allowed to put a hot tub in your living space first.

Most townhouses, condos and high-rise communities have governing bodies, often called HOA’s or Homeowner Associations, that determine the property rules. Make sure that you request the guidelines regarding hot tubs and get written permission from any association that governs you before you proceed.

Other requirements may exist:

• It may help to present an inspection to your HOA that has been performed by a structural engineer verifying that the area in which you want to place your hot tub is able to support its weight.
• You may also need to provide proof of coverage from your insurance company.
• You may need to negotiate on the monthly energy costs, depending on who pays those in your current agreement.
• You may also want to establish that when your lease agreement ends and you leave the condo or apartment, you will be taking the hot tub with you as it is a portable unit.

Is It Legal to Have a Hot Tub in an Apartment or Your Condominium?

British Columbia in Canada recently ruled that portable hot tubs count as “patio furniture” meaning that they are allowed. You can read more about that case here.

Hot tubs fit comfortably on patios and decks, even for small apartments. The Signature 379 is Hydropool’s smallest hot tub. For more, click here.

What Are the Power Requirements for a Hot Tub in an Apartment?

You have two options here, a standard, hardwired hot tub and a plug-and-play model.

• If the circuit breaker in your home has a circuit breaker that takes up two slots, called a double pole breaker, a direct wired connection for your hot tub is possible. If your unit supports 220v to 240v wiring, you can connect a hardwired model.
• If your residence does not support these power requirements, there are multiple ‘plug n play’ hot tub models on the market which are 110v. These can be plugged in almost anywhere there is a standard plug-in.

Where Should You Put Your Hot Tub in an Apartment?

After you confirm how you will power your hot tub, the next step is to determine where is the best place to locate your hot tub. Considering ventilation and draining is essential. If you live in a row home or main level and have backyard space, installing outdoors will ensure that steam isn’t an issue and the water can simply be drained onto the lawn.

If you do not have outdoor access, a balcony is almost always the best choice (and most can hold a small hot tub). Most high-rise apartments and condos have balconies built with reinforced steel and cement, which will not be damaged by steam.

One thing to keep in mind about having your hot tub on your balcony is how you will fill and drain it. The easiest option is to get a hose and run from a faucet to fill it or use the hose to drain into your bathtub. So it’s doable!

Can You Get a Hot Tub Delivered to an Apartment?

How you will get your hot tub delivered into your apartment is another major consideration. If it is a smaller hot tub, it may be possible to fit in the elevator and pass through the hallways into your unit (Hydropool makes smaller models capable of fitting through most doors, such as the 379, which is just 30” deep).

Larger models, or if your building has narrow corridors and spaces, may require a crane to lift and maneuver onto your balcony or rooftop deck.

When it comes to this kind of complicated delivery, you should always leave the delivery and installation process to a team of trained professionals recommended by your local dealer.

Can You Get a Hot Tub for an Apartment?

The answer is yes, you can, provided:

• you are allowed to have a hot tub according to your landlord, legal agreement, condo board or other governing association
• the power to run your hot tub
• the space that can hold the hot tub
• the ability to have it delivered

Hydropool has sold many hot tubs to people who rent their homes, and we think everyone who rents should be entitled to the same opportunities to enjoy a hot tub, just like anyone who owns their home.

We hope this article has answered all your questions about having a hot tub in a rental property. But if we missed anything, you can reach out to your local retailer and ask them. Find the one closest to you here.