Minister for Local Government Paul Toole has announced regulations applying to the sale of properties with swimming pools to take effect from 29 April 2016.

 New amendments to the regulations will give home buyers of properties with swimming pools 90 days to rectify non-compliant swimming pool barriers.

 “While there is no substitute for vigilant adult supervision of children, this change will ensure that new pool owners understand what they need to do to make their pools safe,” Mr Toole said.

 Over the past ten years 1,000 children have required hospital admission as a result of an immersion in a backyard swimming pool. Tragically, 60 children have drowned with an additional 70 children suffering permanent neurological damage.

 “These statistics highlight the devastating impact on families and the need for property owners to ensure their swimming pool barriers are compliant at all times,” Mr Toole said.

 Unfortunately, with up to 95 per cent of swimming pools barriers failing a first inspection, many homebuyers may be unknowingly purchasing homes with non-compliant swimming pool barriers.

 From 29 April 2016, vendors will need to attach to the contract of sale a Certificate of Compliance, or a Certificate of Non-Compliance outlining what needs to be fixed.

 “This will ensure that home buyers are fully informed before entering into a contract of what they need to do to make their pool barriers safe,” Mr Toole said.

 Fully-informed homebuyers will be empowered to negotiate a purchase price that takes the cost of compliance into account. Councils can issue fines to owners if pool barriers that are found to be non-compliant.

 The NSW Government has previously announced that, from 29 April 2016, every new tenancy application to the Residential Tenancy Tribunal must have a compliance certificate if the property has a swimming pool.