SWIMMING POOL & SPA BARRIER INSPECTIONS

Government previously proposed that the sale of property with a swimming pool or spa could only proceed to market on the 29 April 2016 with a Certificate of Compliance attached to the sale contract. New amendments will now make way for the sale of property with a swimming pool or spa to proceed with a non-compliant notice, allowing the purchaser up to 90 days to undertake the necessary repairs required.

The amendment seeks to ensure property sales will not be delayed whilst also providing a transparent compliance process for vendors and purchasers.

Properties offered for lease are unaffected by the amendment and will still require a Certificate of Compliance before being listed for lease.

SPASA President, Robert Guthrie said that “SPASA is pleased that government has recognised the need to provide some relief for vendors whilst arming purchasers with the relevant information before entering into a contract. We appreciate the clarification by the minister and await the release of the Review of the Swimming Pool Barrier Requirements for Backyard Swimming Pools in NSW (Lambert Report) and its further recommendations," Mr Guthrie said.

SPASA CEO, Spiros Dassakis considered “the transfer of compliance amendment necessary as it addressed supply and demand issues for vendors, purchasers and tradespersons who are tasked with undertaking repairs within rigid timelines. Whilst this was seen as a good first-step there was still allot of work needed to be done with the pool inspection framework,” Mr Dassakis added.

SPASA would like to encourage all homeowners and landlords to continue seeking advice regarding compliance of their swimming pool and spa barrier from their local council or industry professionals.

More information can be found at www.spasa.org.au