Pool laws could affect NSW property sales
A new law change in New South Wales could require homeowners to have their pool fences inspected to determine whether they meet required safety standards before they sell or lease their properties.
The legislation change was proposed in a discussion paper released by Don Page, a local government minister. His recommendations to change pool laws in the state follow a number of recent near-drowning incidents in Sydney, as well as inquests into eight backyard swimming pool deaths that occurred across the state between 2006 and 2009.
Other recommendations made to the state government are requirements for homeowners to self-certify their pool barriers' compliance with existing laws, as well as private swimming pool inspections carried out by local authorities.
The measures, which have been designed particularly for the protection of young children, echo similar recommendations made by NSW deputy state coroner magistrate PA MacMahon nearly two years ago.
Any changes could affect NSW landlords, as well as anyone planning to buy or sell a home in Australia's most populous state. It is thought that there are more than 300,000 homes with swimming pools in NSW, according to the state government.
