QLD Pool Safety Laws

So what is the QLD legislation? 
Queensland's pool safety laws apply to all new and existing pools. By law, you must register your pool or spa. Pool safety laws apply to both outdoor and indoor swimming pools. If your pool is found to be unregistered you can suffer heavy fines. 

If you're unsure if your pool is registered you can check by doing a property search

All new swimming pools need building development approval and must comply with the pool safety laws.

1. Pool owners of a rental property with a pool
The Queensland pool safety regulations state that all pool owners must construct and maintain a compliant fence around their swimming pool. The regulations came into effect on 1st December 2010. They require property owners with pools to have a pool safety certificate before the property can be leased or sold. This is regardless of when the pool was built.

2. Tenants in a rental property with a pool
The important thing for a tenant to understand is this. The regulations make no excuse for a pool safety certificate to be provided before signing a lease for a property with a pool. At the time of change over of residency, a valid pool safety certificate is required from the property owner. Furthermore, a copy of the pool certificate should be provided to the tenant, prior to signing a tenancy contract. This means that the tenant should be fully protected by a current safety certificate at all times, and should not be in any doubt as to the validity of the pool safety certificate.

3. Property managers of a rental property with a pool
At About You Real Estate, we educate our landlords on the latest regulations concerning a property with a pool so that we can assist both property owners and tenants to understand their respective rights. With the correct information, we know that both parties to a rental agreement with a pool should understand their rights, and have the correct knowledge of the regulations prior to signing a lease agreement.

What You Need to know as a Property Owner
As a property owner, you must:

• ensure your pool fences comply with the law
• maintain the pool fence
• remove any objects (such as furniture) that would allow children access to the pool
• repair any damage immediately.

Read about the standards for pool fences and safety barriers in Queensland.

There is no longer any excuse for not taking action to make pools safe

If you’re a tenant

As a tenant, you must:

• ensure the pool gate is closed
• remove any objects (such as furniture) that would allow children access to the pool.