Can I fill in a swimming pool?

Question

I live in Florida in a home with a pool. I have an open 1st mtg and an open home equity line. With both I am, (as many homes in Florida are), upside down/out of equity. The pool is rarely used. Very rarely used. I get in it to clean it. My wife has been in 3 times in our 13 years here. Maintaining it is like throwing money into a hole. I'd like to be done with it; to fill it in. I know the pool is calculated in the value of the home and considered as collateral. How can I get rid of this money pit?

Update:

I've been advised that if I empty the pool it will likely pop up and out of the ground because of a very high water table in my area.

SmashTheState · Accepted Answer

Is there any reason you can't put a plastic liner in, then fill it up with earth?  You won't have to clean it, and if you ever decide to sell or they foreclose, it just has to be emptied out.  The liner will prevent any damage to the pool.  At the very least, it can be used to show you didn't intentionally cause damage to it.

Steve D · Answer

If the pool has been considered part of the equity, by filling it in, you are devaluing  the home on purpose and will be in violation of at least one if not both of your mortgages.  If you read your contract, you will find that you are required to maintain value/upkeep on the house and premises.

Drain the pool, cover it, clean it annually and you will only have the sweat equity from the cleaning.

Anonymous · Answer

Jack hammer a large hole in the bottom of the deep end to prevent the pool from floating if the under ground water level rises then fill it with dirt. A pool does not increase the value of the home very much.

Ryan M · Answer

There are MANY business that fill pools. Look in your yellow pages or a 3 second google search for those in your specific area.

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Can I fill in a swimming pool?

4 Answers