The most common question I am asked by landlords is, “What do I need to do to prepare my property for rent?”
This article is part of a series outlining the most important facets of preparing your investment property.
The 9 most important steps are:
- Arrange A Bond Clean by A Professional
- Water Compliance
- Smoke Alarm Compliance
- Pool Safety Compliance
- General Maintenance And Repairs
- Gardening – Clean Up And Tidy Up
- Landlord Insurance
- Carpet Cleaning And Pest Control
- Have Photos Taken
In this issue we cover: Step 4
Pool Safety Compliance
If you’re a pool owner, maintaining your pool includes more than just testing the water. Your pool fence or barrier must also be regularly checked.
There are strict laws about fence height, gate latches and other necessary inclusions, and you can learn more about these legal requirements here:
easy-to-use interactive pool compliance checklist. It will help you find out whether any areas of your pool barrier need attention by explaining some basic scenarios.
You must provide a pool safety certificate to the new tenant as well as the QBCC
(poolsafety@qbcc.qld.gov.au) if the current certificate has expired. It’s important to note that the pool owner is responsible for ensuring the barrier is compliant with the pool safety standard at all times. Failing to do so may result in penalties.
Expiry date for certificates
Pool safety certificates for non-shared pools are valid for 2 years from date of issue.
Pool barriers or fencing
The purpose of a compliant pool is to provide a safeguard for young children from drowning or injury. If your pool is non-compliant, you may get a fine from your local government.
All pools, including spas and some portable pools, must now comply with the pool safety standard. The standard applies to homes with new or existing pools as well as short and long-term accommodation premises.
Pool owners need to be aware that any person who props open a pool gate is liable to an on-the-spot fine.
CPR Sign
You must have a compliant CPR sign prominently displayed
The compliant CPR sign must:
- show how to perform CPR in line with the technique outlined below.
- be attached to the safety barrier of the pool, or displayed near the pool, so that the sign is easily visible to a person near the pool
- be at least 300mm by 300mm in size
- be made of durable and weatherproof material
- include a prominent statement explaining how to act in an emergency (e.g. call Triple Zero, stay with the injured person, provide first aid).
From 1 January 2017, all new CPR signs for swimming pools must comply with ‘
ANZCOR guideline 8 – cardiopulmonary resuscitation‘ published by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC)
Engaging a pool safety inspector
A pool safety inspector’s role is to inspect pools to determine whether they comply with the standard. If the pool is compliant, the inspector will issue a pool safety certificate. If the pool doesn’t meet the standard, a nonconformity notice will be issued after the inspection, unless:
- the inspector reinspects the pool within two days after the initial inspection and is satisfied that the pool now complies; or
- the owner and pool safety inspector agree that the inspector will carry out minor repairs within 20 business days of the original inspection.
Some inspectors can also carry out minor repairs such as adjusting or replacing a latch or striker and removing climbable objects.
Compliant pool barriers help save lives by preventing young children from accessing swimming pools
So yes, you must hold a valid Pool Safety Compliance Certificate before you
lease your property.
For more information from QBCC_
https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-building-owners/pool-safety/pool-safety-compliance
