Homeowners · 3 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Hot tub hire mistakes to avoid: power, base, water and timing
Mistake 1: relying on an extension lead
Hot tub heaters draw a lot of current for long periods. Standard extension leads and coiled reels can overheat, and leads trailing across a garden or through a window are a shock and trip hazard. Check you have an RCD-protected outdoor socket within reach of the tub's own lead before you book, or get one fitted by an electrician.
Mistake 2: choosing the wrong spot
- Sloping lawns or patios that put more water at one side
- Weak decking, balconies or soft ground that cannot take well over a tonne
- Spots under trees that drop leaves, sap and insects into the water
- Locations too far from the socket or hose
- Places overlooked by neighbours if privacy matters
- Positions with no safe, lit path from the back door
Send your supplier a photo of the spot. A quick check before booking avoids a wasted delivery.
Mistake 3: booking delivery too late
An inflatable can take a full day or more to heat from cold, especially in cooler months. Booking delivery on the morning of an evening party often means a lukewarm tub. Aim for delivery the day before the first planned use.
Booking too late in the year is a related mistake. Summer weekends, bank holidays and the Christmas period book up first, so leave plenty of time for popular dates. If your dates are flexible, midweek hires are often easier to get and better value.
Mistake 4: forgetting access
Inflatables arrive in a box and fit through most doorways, but hard-shell tubs are large and heavy. They usually need a clear side access around 90 cm wide or more, with no tight turns, steps or low branches. Measure gates, paths and side passages before you book a hard-shell tub, and check for anything blocking the route on the day.
Mistake 5: skipping water care
Water can look fine but still need sanitiser. Not testing is one of the main reasons water turns cloudy or smelly halfway through a hire.
Adding things to the water is a related mistake. Bath bombs, bubble bath, oils and household cleaning products upset the chemistry and can damage the tub. Use only what the supplier provides.
| Task | How often during a hire |
|---|---|
| Test sanitiser and pH with the strips provided | At least once a day, more after heavy use |
| Top up sanitiser as directed | When the test shows it is low |
| Rinse the filter | Every few days, or as the supplier advises |
| Shower before use | Every session |
| Keep the cover on | Whenever the tub is not in use |
Mistake 6: leaving the cover off
An uncovered tub loses heat fast, uses more electricity, collects leaves and insects, and is a drowning risk for children and pets. Put the cover back on and strap it after every session, even if you plan to get back in later.
Leaving the cover off in the sun is also bad for the water. Sunlight breaks down chlorine quickly, so an uncovered tub on a warm afternoon can lose much of its sanitiser in a few hours and turn cloudy.
Mistake 7: draining the water the wrong way
Most suppliers drain the tub themselves at collection, but if you are asked to start draining, do not run treated water into road gullies or surface water drains, which often lead straight to streams and rivers. Ask the supplier where to drain, which is usually a foul drain connected to the sewer, or let the sanitiser drop and spread the water on a lawn well away from ponds and watercourses.
- Never drain onto a neighbour's property
- Keep the water away from ponds, streams and ditches
- Do not drain into the road
- Follow any hosepipe ban rules for the refill and the hire
A final mistake is not checking the hire terms. Read what the price includes, what happens if the tub is damaged or the water is contaminated with glitter, bath products or pet hair, and what time the supplier will collect. Have the tub switched off and the area clear when they arrive, and point out any problems during the hire so they can be checked rather than discovered later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest mistake people make when hiring a hot tub?
Using an extension lead is the most common and most dangerous mistake. Hot tub heaters draw high current for hours, and household extension leads can overheat or get wet outdoors. The safest option is a weatherproof, RCD-protected outdoor socket within reach of the tub's own lead. If you do not have one, book an electrician before the hire.
Where should hot tub water be drained?
Ask your supplier, who often drains the tub at collection. Do not drain treated water into road gullies or surface water drains, as these often lead to streams and rivers. A foul drain connected to the sewer is usually the right place, or the water can be spread on a lawn away from ponds and watercourses once sanitiser levels have dropped.
How do I know if my garden is suitable for a hot tub?
You need a flat, level, firm area big enough for the tub plus space around it, a suitable outdoor socket within reach and a hose that reaches. For hard-shell tubs, you also need clear access from the road, usually around 90 cm wide or more. Send your supplier photos of the spot and the access route before booking.
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