Safety Laws

New Pool Safety laws are being introduced in an effort to reduce the incidences of drowning and serious immersion injuries of young children.

All existing pools are to comply with a single pool safety standard within 5 years, unless you sell or lease your property beforehand.  For more information visit www.dip.qld.gov.au/poolfencing. 

For Landlords, you will not be able to rent your property to a tenant whether they are new or existing without a certificate of compliance from 1st December 2010.

For Sellers, a compliance certificate is required at the time of settlement. The buyer can accept the responsibility for getting the certificate, and extend the time period to 90 days after settlement, helping improve the smooth settlement of your property.  Real Estate Agents advise Buyers prefer properties with compliant pools.

For Short Term Accommodation Providers including hotels, motels, resorts and caravan parks , you will not be able to book an overnight guest after May 2011 without a Pool Safety Certificate.

For Body Corporates including Units complexes and Retirement Homes a compliance certificate is required if a lot owner sells or rents a unit to a tenant whether they be new or existing.

 

Pool Safety Certificates will remain valid for one year if you own a shared pool and will remain valid for two years for a non - shared pool.

 

All properties with regulated pools need to be included in the state - managed pool register within six months of the commencement of the legislation. The register is available from December. Local Governments will include details of pools on the register. Pool owners will need to check the register within six months after the laws start to ensure their pool is registered.

Potential Home Buyers and Conveyancers should be aware that a Pool Safety Compliance Certificate is required within 90 days of the settlement of a property. 

If you are considering buying a property with a swimming pool, it would be prudent to request this Pool Safety Compliance Certificate be provided by the seller prior to purchase.

The seller may decline your request, so we would recommend you request to have a Pool Safety Inspection completed at your expense.

When building and pool inspection services complete an inspection we provide a detailed report outlining all non-compliant aspects of the pool fence and surrounds. This information should give buyers a good idea of the works required to achieve compliance as required by law within 90 days of settlement.

 

The fact is that some pools require expensive adjustments to achieve compliance. We are also fully licensed to provide the required repairs.