6 Ways to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease in Short-Term Rental Hot Tubs | Safety Guide
Offering a hot tub as an amenity at your Airbnb or short-term rental property is a great way to elevate the guest experience and make your listing stand out. Adding a hot tub to your vacation rental can boost your occupancy rate and increase your average daily rate. However, more concerning statistics are on the rise. As of January 2025, the CDC reported that half of Legionnaires’ disease patients who reported travel-related stays also reported using a hot tub.
While hot tubs can increase your bookings, they can also increase risks to guests’ health and safety, and put your short-term rental business’s reputation on the line. A poorly maintained hot tub can become a breeding ground for Legionella bacteria, the primary cause of Legionnaires’ disease—a serious form of pneumonia that kills 10% of those infected.
Learn why maintaining short-term rental hot tubs is critical, how to minimize risks related to Legionnaires’ disease, and actionable steps to keep your guests safe while protecting yourself from liabilities.
- Legionnaires’ Disease & Its Link to Hot Tubs
- Hot Tubs and Legionella: What the CDC Says
- Hot Tub Care: 6 Ways to Prevent Legionella in Hot Tubs
- Legionella Doesn’t Stop at Hot Tubs: Health Risks in Vacation Rentals
- Risks and Liabilities for Short-Term Rental Hot Tubs
- Protect Your Property with Proper Insurance
Legionnaires’ Disease & Its Link to Hot Tubs
Hot tubs can be an excellent way to enhance your rental property, offering relaxation and a luxury experience that guests love. But have you considered the potential risks? From liability concerns to maintenance challenges and safety hazards, hot tubs can quickly become a source of stress without the right precautions.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Conditions like warm or stagnant water and inadequate disinfection allow Legionella to thrive, making hot tubs and jacuzzis a perfect habitat for this dangerous pathogen when poorly maintained. Inhaling water droplets or mist from a hot tub can expose guests to harmful bacteria, such as Legionella, which can lead to serious health risks.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, including coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing, can appear as early as two days after exposure and may escalate into life-threatening complications if left untreated. This is critical information for short-term rental owners offering a hot tub as an amenity.
Hot Tubs and Legionella: What the CDC Says
One of the largest disadvantages of hot tubs is the risk of bacterial infections. According to the CDC, hot tubs are one of the most common sources of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks when proper care is neglected, with more than 10,000 cases of Legionella reported annually. Their 2025 guidance for public health professionals highlights water management as essential in minimizing this risk.
How Many Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease Are Linked to Hot Tubs?
The CDC reports several cases where hot tubs in short-term rental properties were linked to Legionnaires’ outbreaks—a stark reminder of the risks in offering this amenity to your Airbnb guests. Recent statistics show that nearly 1 in 7 patients diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease reported traveling away from home. In 2022, a man died from Legionella after using an Airbnb hot tub, resulting in a $1.3 million lawsuit.
Is Legionnaires’ Disease Contagious?
No, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. It is typically contracted by inhaling water droplets containing the Legionella bacteria, often from hot tubs, cooling towers, or plumbing systems. Regular hot tub maintenance and proper disinfection can reduce the risk of exposure.
Hot Tub Care: 6 Ways to Prevent Legionella in Hot Tubs
Taking the right steps to maintain upkeep on a hot tub can greatly reduce the risks of Legionella. Hot tubs that are not properly sanitized or maintained are a known source of outbreaks of Legionella. Help ensure a safe, clean, and compliant hot tub for your short-term rental guests by following the CDC’s tips to control Legionella in hot tubs.
1. Regular Sanitization of Your Hot Tub
Disinfection is key to controlling Legionella. Using hot tub test strips (bought online or from a local pool supply store) to check sanitizer levels before and after guest visits can help you prevent the harmful bacteria levels in your short-term rental hot tub. Use chlorine or bromine to sanitize your hot tub water, and check that sanitizer levels meet CDC-recommended guidelines, with free chlorine sanitizer levels being 3–10 ppm, and bromine being 4–8 ppm.
Maintaining proper sanitizer levels is the most effective way to neutralize bacteria and protect users. Learn more about maintaining disinfectant levels on the CDC’s Legionella toolkit for hot tubs.
Airbnb Host FAQ: “Does Chlorine Kill Legionella in Hot Tubs?”
Yes, chlorine can kill Legionella bacteria in hot tubs, but it needs to be properly maintained at the right levels. Regular water testing and proper chlorination are essential to prevent the growth of Legionella, which thrives in warm, stagnant water.
2. Maintain Hot Tub Water Temperature
Legionella bacteria thrive in water temperatures between 77–113°F (25–45°C), making temperature regulation essential. To minimize risk, maintain your water temperature at or below 104°F (40°C) to avoid prime Legionella bacteria temperatures. This slows bacterial growth while keeping the tub comfortable and safe for users. Displaying a Legionella temperature chart nearby can make it easier to monitor proper hot tub temperature.
Airbnb Host FAQ: “What Temperature Kills Legionella Bacteria?”
Legionella bacteria can be effectively killed by maintaining water temperatures at or above 140°F (60°C). At 122°F (50°C), the bacteria’s growth is inhibited, but it may still survive.
Before using the hot tub, always reduce the water temperature to 104°F (40°C) or below, which is safe and comfortable for human use. Higher temperatures, such as 140°F (60°C), can cause severe burns and are not suitable for hot tub use. It is important to regularly monitor and regulate water systems to ensure temperatures are high enough to prevent the bacteria from thriving, particularly in environments like hot water tanks and plumbing systems.
3. Regularly Clean and Replace Hot Tub Filters
Dirty or clogged filters can harbor debris and bacteria, creating an ideal environment for Legionella. Follow these steps to clean your hot tub:
- Clean filters thoroughly each week with a manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution.
- Replace filters at least every 6 months (or sooner if usage is high).
- Inspect filters regularly for wear or buildup that could compromise their efficiency.
4. Keep the Hot Tub Covered When Not in Use
When the hot tub is not in use—particularly in short-term rentals—use a secure, tight-fitting cover to prevent debris, contaminants, and standing water from accumulating. Standing water can encourage Legionella growth and compromise water quality. Having a tight-fitting hot tub or jacuzzi cover also can protect guests with children from falling into the water without supervision.
5. Shock the Water Between Guest Stays
“Shocking” the water means adding a high dose of chlorine or bromine to eliminate organic matter and bacteria. Shocking the water after each guest’s stay is critical for short-term rentals with frequent turnover. Follow manufacturer instructions and ensure the water is safe for use before the next guest arrives.
6. Flush the Hot Tub’s Plumbing System
Legionella can thrive in stagnant water trapped inside pipes or plumbing. Flush the hot tub system regularly to prevent buildup, especially if the hot tub has been unused for an extended period. Use a line-cleaning solution specifically designed for hot tubs and consult the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Superhost Tip: Include Hot Tub Rules
Ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for your guests by clearly outlining your Airbnb hot tub rules. Proper hot tub safety rules help prevent accidents, maintain cleanliness, and protect your property.
Hot tub rules for guests could include:
- Limit usage duration to 15–30 minutes to prevent overheating or dehydration. Prolonged exposure may lead to dizziness or discomfort.
- Avoid using the hot tub if you have open wounds, skin infections, or respiratory issues to protect both yourself and other users from potential health risks.
- Shower thoroughly before entering the hot tub to remove oils, lotions, and organic contaminants that can affect water cleanliness and chemical balance.
Legionella Doesn’t Stop at Hot Tubs: Health Risks in Vacation Rentals
Hot tubs are commonly recognized as potential sources of Legionella exposure, but it’s important to note that Legionella can also thrive in various water-related devices, fixtures, and even within the property’s water supply system. By implementing proactive maintenance practices for your short-term rental, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.
- Showerheads and Faucets: Legionella can thrive in showerheads and faucets that are not used regularly (e.g., a week or more) or not cleaned properly. Visible buildup on aerators or low levels of disinfectant in the water can increase the risk of harmful bacteria buildup.
- Host Tip: Flush faucets and showerheads before guests arrive if they haven’t been used recently and maintain regular cleaning to prevent bacteria growth.
- Decorative Fountains: Fountains that are not cleaned or operated according to manufacturer recommendations can promote Legionella growth, especially if warm air or submerged lights increase water temperatures to the bacteria’s ideal range (77–113°F).
- Host Tip: Ensure fountains are cleaned and maintained regularly, adding disinfectant as needed. For more information, consult the CDC’s recommendations for preventing Legionella in fountains.
- Water Heater: Keep water heaters set at or above 120°F to minimize Legionella growth. For added safety, water temperatures of 130–140°F can kill harmful bacteria but increase the risk of scalding. Use thermostatic mixing valves to prevent burns, especially if children or older adults will be staying at the property. Regularly flush the water heater per manufacturer guidelines.
- Water Supply: Both public and private water systems carry risks for bacteria and Legionella. In public water systems, water main breaks or utility repairs can disrupt water quality and consume disinfectant residuals. Signing up for local alerts can help you stay informed and follow the best water advisory recommendations. Well owners must regularly test and maintain their water supply to ensure safety. Contact your local health department or a professional for assistance.
- Water Softeners and Filters: Poorly maintained filters, particularly carbon filters on faucets or ice machines, can harbor Legionella. Follow manufacturer instructions for regular maintenance.
By following these CDC-recommended guidelines, vacation rental owners can create a safer environment, protect guests from health risks, and reduce Airbnb liability concerns.
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Risks and Liabilities for Short-Term Rental Hot Tubs
Beyond the health dangers, failing to properly manage your hot tub can lead to serious legal and financial repercussions. If a guest contracts Legionnaires’ disease while staying at your property, you could face lawsuits or claims of negligence. Liability lawsuits can be not only financially devastating but also damaging to your reputation as a host. Commercial liability insurance can help protect you from personal injury claims, unlike traditional Homeowners or Landlord policies.
Airbnb Host FAQ: “Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Communicable Diseases?”
It’s important to know that a Homeowner’s insurance (HO) policy typically excludes coverage for communicable diseases like Legionella. While every effort should be made to maintain high hygiene standards for facilities such as the hot tub, accidents and communicable diseases happen. However, Homeowners liability coverage, even with a short-term rental endorsement, may not extend to cover bacteria like Legionella. And if your short-term rental is only covered by a Homeowners or Landlord policy, you are at risk for huge caps in coverage.
While you might feel confident in your hot tub maintenance routine, unforeseen issues can still happen due to the risks of offering a hot tub as an amenity. If your property isn’t covered by the right commercial insurance, you could be left paying out-of-pocket for medical costs, lawyer fees, and settlements.
Protect Your Property with Proper Insurance
While the risk of Legionnaires’ disease can be mitigated with proper maintenance and adherence to safety guidelines, it’s important to remember that accidents still happen. An outbreak at your short-term rental property could lead to severe health consequences for your guests and potentially result in costly lawsuits for you as the host of the property. These claims can disrupt your operations and create financial strain—but that’s exactly why having comprehensive insurance coverage is essential.
Proper Insurance offers specialized short-term rental coverage that does not exclude communicable diseases (like Legionella). With our short-term rental policy tailored specifically to the risk exposure of your Airbnb, your property is better protected against potential legal and liability judgements. Insurance is your safety net when things go wrong, and it provides the peace of mind you need as a vacation rental property owner.
Every guest brings a new set of risks, and the best defense is prevention…and the Proper policy for your short-term rental. Regular maintenance, clear guest communication, and understanding of liability risks can significantly reduce the chance of an outbreak, protecting both you and your guests. However, having insurance ensures that in the event something does go wrong, your policy is equipped with the right protections.
For reliable protection against these risks, contact Proper Insurance today and explore how our comprehensive vacation rental insurance coverage can support your Airbnb or Vrbo business.
