NSW Swimming Pool Laws Postponed

The NSW Office of Local Government has postponed laws that will require all swimming pool and spa owners to have a certificate of compliance, which are now due to come into effect on 29^th April 2015.

Council officers have reported that it can take up to three months to issue a compliance certificate from the initial inspection, leaving real estate representatives concerned that not all of their properties would have been compliant before the cut-off.

The delay in commencement of this legislation will allow for a smooth transition period, and means at this stage no further action is required from you as a property manager. Be sure to inform your home owners of this change, and over the course of the year start including pool compliance registration into your procedures to ensure you are prepared once this legislation has been implemented.

You can read more about this Pool Legislation in our blog post, here.

New Swimming Pool Laws in NSW

New legislation affecting backyard swimming pools and spa pools has been introduced in NSW to enhance the safety of children around private (backyard) swimming pools and spas. How will this affect you?

Pool owners

Swimming pool and spa pool owners are required to register their pools on an online Register to be provided by the NSW State Government. Owners are required to self-assess and state that their pool complies with the applicable standards when registering.

The NSW Swimming Pool Register is available for use at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au. Owners must register their pools by no later than 29 October 2013. There is a penalty for owners who fail to do so. Owners may also register their pools via their local council.

Owners may apply for a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate from their local councils or an accredited certifier so they are in a position to confidently register their pool. However, there is a fee payable for this service.From 29 April 2014 pool owners who wish to sell their property must apply and obtain a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate to be attached to the contract for sale, and pool owners who wish to lease their property must apply and obtain a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate and provide a copy to the tenant.

A Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate is valid for 3 years.