What You Must Know Before Buying a House with a Pool or Spa!
🏊♂️🏠 Navigating Pool Regulations When Purchasing Property 📜🏊♀️
Swimming pools are a sought-after addition to Australian real estate, with approximately 1.2 million backyard pools nationwide. If you've recently acquired a home featuring a pool or spa or are considering it, understanding the latest regulations is essential. Additional steps might be necessary to ensure your new pool or spa has a compliant barrier.
When purchasing a property with a pool or spa, we would recommend you to have your conveyancer or solicitor verify the presence of an up-to-date compliance certificate in the Sale Contract. In some cases new homeowners get stung for costs involved in bringing the barrier up to standard, including inspection fees, rectification works and lodgement of registrations and certificates with council. Don’t let that happen to you!
Make certain that any non-compliant issues are addressed, and a compliance certificate is issued before the settlement date. Depending on the identified problems, the expenses for addressing these issues can become substantial.
Key points to note:
Registration with Local Council: Pools and spas meeting the criteria must be registered with the local council by November 1, 2020. Depending on your property's purchase date, this might have been handled by the vendors. Verify with your local council if your pool or spa is registered. If not, you can usually complete a straightforward webform to register, with a fee (eg Ballarat City Council around $35).
Barrier Compliance Certificates: For registered pools or spas, the council should have information on whether the vendor acquired a 'certificate of barrier compliance.' Barrier requirements depend on the pool's age, and some types of pools (e.g., some small inflatable pools, fountains) are exempt. If the vendor did not have a compliance certificate, you'll need to arrange an inspection by a registered building inspector in Pool Safety - Like Pool Safe. If compliant, you'll receive a certificate to be lodged with the council, accompanied by a small fee (e.g.in Ballarat this is around, $20.44).
Penalties for Non-Compliance: Non-compliance can lead to penalties. Failure to register a pool or spa by the deadline may result in fines of up to $1,652.20.
Buying a property with a pool or spa involves careful consideration of regulations. By staying informed and seeking professional guidance, you can secure a compliant property and a smooth buying experience.
#PoolFenceEssentials #SecureYourPool #PoolAreaTips #CreatingPeaceOfMind #StylishYetSafe #PoolsideLiving #PoolSafetyMatters #LandscapingTips #OutdoorOasis #StaySecure #SwimmingPoolSafety #CreatingMemories #PoolSafety #SwimmingPoolRegulations #ChildSafety #SwimmingPoolCompliance #SafetyFirst #VictoriaSwimmingPools #SwimmingFun #PoolSafe #PoolSafeRegionalVictoria #KidSafe #BuyingAHouseWithAPool #BuyingAHouseWithASpa
Jimmy Rushton
Pool Safe Fence Inspections
poolsafevic.com.au
0493 362 410 jimmy@poolsafevic.com.au
Disclaimer: The information provided in the blog above is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered as a substitute for a thorough Barrier Inspection or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the content, it may not cover all individual circumstances or specific requirements. . Always prioritise safety and seek expert advice to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.