What You Need to Know About Pools and Your Rental!

Do you have a in ground pool,  above ground pool or even portable pool up this summer? Well this article will outline what you MUST know in regard to specific laws in Western Australia that mandate the installation of safety barriers to enclose private swimming and spa pools.

All private swimming and spa pools that contain water that is more than 300 mm deep must have a compliant barrier installed that restricts access by young children to the pool and its immediate surrounds please note also tenants this rule still applies if you have a pool in a fully fenced yard.

Portable pools

Any pool designed for swimming, wading and paddling that contains water more than 300mm deep MUST be enclosed by an effective safety barrier. 
Please note upon inspection if your pool can hold water deeper than 300mm we will request it is emptied immediately, then seek direction from the lessor as to how they would like to handle the risk.  This could even mean receiving a breach of the tenancy agreement. 

If you have a portable pool it should be emptied immediately after use and stored away securely. If pools are left out they can fill up with rain or sprinkler water which could prove to be a fatal mistake.

Pool safety barrier and gate requirements

Pool gates are statistically considered to be an area of high risk. They are the most common avenue of access for young children that drown in pools –  This is because children can easily try and gain access to the pool. It is the owner’s responsibility for making sure their pool is compliant before they rent their property out to tenants however it is the tenants responsibility to watch children around the pool area.

We wish to make all tenants aware that if upon inspection or if Umbrella Realty is notified the tenants have a pool without the safety requirements installed you will be sent a breach of your agreement.

See below link to a PDF document in regard to further information that you MUST know if you have a portable pool or in ground pool at your rental property.

 https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/atoms/files/195697_web_rules_for_pools_and_spas_a4_booklet_feb_2019.pdf