Who's got a hot tub?

[Inadays]

We're in the process of buying a house, and it's being sold with a large hot tub in the garden! We believe that the vendors would rather leave it in situ than go to the bother of having to sell it as they live abroad.

We've never really wanted a hot tub and have no idea how to maintain one so are a bit bemused as to what we should do. DS is excited at the thought of it; me and DH less so!

Would appreciate any advice about whether they're worth the bother, how often you use them or whether it would be best to just sell it. I've no idea of the make, but it is large - would seat at least six people I would say. It also looks a good quality one.

Many thanks in advance to all you hot tub owners .

Get the make and model from the vendors and google it. Some are easier to run than others.

If it fits in with the house and isn't taking up space that you'd rather use for garden or patio then why not try it and see if it's for you? They are pretty easy to sell on if you find you don't like it never use it.

I'm not keen and wouldn't have one but friends swear by theirs - her husband has bad joints and it really helps with pain relief. Our neighbours used theirs all the time.

We’ve just moved next door to one and the noise from them, even when not in use, is awful. Think low level generator. Check it out again before buying id say.

We love ours. It's just a cheap inflatable one. No noise. Upkeep is a bit annoying - my husband does it and has to check chemical levels each evening and regularly replace the water. We love it though and use it all the time!

Even if you don't decide to keep it you can probably sell it on

Find out make and model.

Also I disagree with a PP re noise when not in use. Most higher end ones are silent when not in use (including our own which is below our bedroom windows) but some of the 'plug and play' portable ones can be a bit noisy. If they are leaving it it's probably hard wired and heavy and more likely to be the former

Most hot tubs now come with water sanitisation systems. Either way it's just a case of testing your water every 2-5 days (water system ones like in Hot Spring Spa models can go longer) and chucking in small amounts of chemicals. Dump and replace water every so often (2-6 months depending on systems again)

We love ours that came with our house. Great for relaxing under the stars after work. They are hated on here but as long as you aren't a dick when using it (no screeching shouting loud music or late at night useage) then I doubt your neighbours EM will even know! (Ours didn't even realise until they popped over for a drink one day)

They are not easy to sell on as they are a massive pain to transport. We had one -top end. It was lovely for about two years. It lost huge amounts of water through evaporation even with lid on. Took ages to heat. Eventually had to chop into four bits to get rid of it. Avoid at all costs is my advice!

Agree that when they die hey are nightmare to get rid of. Nevertheless we love ours and we use it everyday. I also know ours is at least 10 years old and still going strong. I know to replace it it would be around $26000 so about £13k so if it's as big and grand as you say you've got a bargain (ours is a 4 seater Hot Springs Spa Prodigy).

If you've got a hi tec water system then there is some investment to replace the bits every 12 months or so. I'd estimate around £400 for that. £100 for chemicals a year but it costs us 50p a day to run electricity wise.

Never experienced evaporation and we live in a hot country!

Ours is very quiet - virtually silent - when not in use. When we are using it we ensure that we aren't shouting or being dicks because we have wonderful neighbours and don't want that to change. We're building a pergola over ours to reduce the noise further. Ours is a mid-range rigid model; I believe it's usually the inflatable ones that are really noisy, not the rigid ones.

DS1 has autism and various added extras and the hot tub has become an essential element of his sensory therapy. Plus the rest of us love it!