New pool safety certification – ­what you need to know

As of April 29 regulations for pool safety certificates.

What is a certificate of compliance?

All owners of pools are required to maintain the safety of their pool area, a pool certificate of compliance simply confirms that the owner has abided by all the necessary safety requirements. For a certificate of compliance to be valid, it must be less than three years old and it must authorise the use of your swimming pool.

How can I get a certificate?

The safety certificate can only be issued by an accredited inspector – contact your local council to have someone inspect your pool.

What if I am selling my property?

Under the new regulations, a certificate of compliance must be attached to the contract whether you are selling or leasing. If you fail to attach the certificate of compliance, it can render the contract invalid and the buyer can back out within 14 days of signing the contract, unless settlement has already taken place. Whilst these regulations apply to all pools, they do not apply to lots in strata schemes which consist of more than two lots. In these cases, the owners’ corporation is responsible for ensuring that the pool or spa is compliant with the Swimming Pools Act 1992.

To check that your pool has complied with all the appropriate laws, take a look at this checklist

If you would like more information about the new regulations, please review the fact sheet released by NSW Fair Trading.