Out of the pool! Chelsea co-op owners battle with renters

Owners at Chelsea’s London Terrace are demanding that renters pony up $750,000 a year if they want to take a dip in the tony co-op’s Olympic-sized swimming pool. And the renters are telling the owners that they’re the ones who are all wet. The pool fight is crystal clear: The owners in four co-op buildings known as the Towers – including Chelsea Clinton, designer Isaac Mizrahi and “Project Runway” co-host Tim Gunn – think their renter neighbors should pay to play; the renters point to their $4,000-to-$18,000 monthly rates and argue they’re already being soaked.

The pool fun has been free since 1930, although the two sides have had a water water before – in 1992. Two years later, after a rent strike and a lawsuit, the factions finally reached a 20-year agreement. The deal expires next year.

London Terrace’s management company offered $500,000 for pool admission – double the fee being paid currently – but the owners turned down the deal. [NYP] — Hiten Samtani