If you have a pool or spa on your property, you should arrange for a valid compliance certificate, this will be required if you decide to sell or lease your property.  A purchaser can rescind the contract within 14 days of exchange of contracts if a valid certificate is not attached to the contract.  In other words, you may lose the sale.  The requirement comes into effect from 29 April 2016.

If you are leasing a property with a pool or spa, the residential tenancy agreement must also contain a copy of the valid certificate of compliance.

These requirements are a result of an amendment to the Swimming Pools Act 1992 in 2012 to improve the safety of children around swimming pools in NSW, as drowning is a leading cause of preventable death in children under 5 years of age.  For more information check here.

Pool owners can register their pools online, and once registered, a certificate of registration will be issued to the pool owner.  Local councils and accredited certifiers with the Building Professionals Board, can issue a certificate of compliance if the pool or spa meets all the safety requirements.  You can search the NSW Government’s Swimming Pool Register to check if a pool has been registered and whether a certificate of compliance has been issued.

Inflatable swimming pools may also come under the compliance regulations – you can check this out here.

Don’t forget – 29 April is the deadline!