Pool compliance paperwork is not something most homeowners look at very often. So when a council reminder arrives or you suddenly need to check when your next inspection is due, it is surprisingly common to realise you cannot find your previous pool or spa barrier compliance certificate.
The good news is that losing your copy does not automatically mean you need another inspection.
For homeowners in Balwyn and surrounding Melbourne suburbs, the important thing is working out whether the previous certificate was actually lodged with council and when your next compliance certificate is due.
Here is where to start.
First, Check Whether the Certificate Was Lodged With Council
In Victoria, swimming pool and spa owners must register their pool or spa with their local council, have the safety barrier inspected every four years and lodge a certificate confirming that the barrier complies.
If you received a certificate from an inspector previously and lodged it correctly, losing your personal copy does not necessarily affect its status.
Rather than immediately paying for another inspection, contact your local council and ask them to confirm the information they hold for your property.
For homeowners in Balwyn and much of the surrounding area, this may mean contacting the City of Boroondara. Boroondara confirms that registered pools and spas must have their barriers inspected and certified every four years.
Council should be able to help you establish your current compliance position and the next due date recorded against the property.
What If You Received the Certificate but Never Lodged It?
This is where the situation becomes more important.
A Victorian Certificate of Barrier Compliance is only valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. It must be lodged with the relevant council during that period.
If you discover an old certificate sitting in an email or filing cabinet that was never lodged, you cannot simply submit it months or years later.
Once the 30 day period has expired, the Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission states that a new inspection must be completed and a new certificate issued before it can be lodged with council.
This is one reason it is worth acting quickly if you are unsure about the status of an older certificate.
Check Your Emails Before Assuming It Is Lost
Before going any further, search your emails for terms such as:
- Pool fence inspection
- Pool compliance certificate
- Barrier compliance
- Form 23
- Pool inspection
- Council pool registration
Your previous inspector may have emailed the certificate rather than providing a paper copy.
You may also find confirmation from your council showing that the certificate was successfully lodged.
Finding these records can help establish when the last inspection occurred and whether another inspection is actually required.
What If You Have Bought the Property Since the Last Inspection?
If you have recently moved into a Melbourne property with an existing swimming pool or spa, you may have little or no paperwork from the previous owner.
Do not assume this means the pool is not registered or that another inspection is immediately required.
Start by contacting the relevant council to confirm:
- Whether the pool or spa is registered
- When the previous certificate was lodged
- When the next certificate is due
- What barrier standard applies to the property
Victorian property owners have an ongoing obligation to have the barrier inspected every four years and lodge the required certificate with council.
Knowing the recorded due date means you can organise your next inspection with plenty of time rather than discovering the deadline at the last minute.
What If Your Next Certificate Is Already Due?
If the council confirms that your previous certificate has expired or your next four year inspection deadline is approaching, it is time to arrange another pool fence inspection.
It is worth doing this sooner rather than later.
The City of Boroondara recommends arranging an inspection around 90 days before the certificate due date, allowing time for the initial inspection, any necessary repairs and lodgement of the final certificate.
Even a fence that passed four years ago may need attention today. Gates, hinges, latches and other parts of the barrier can change through normal use and ageing.
Tom Can Help Get Your Inspection Sorted
If you confirm that another inspection is required, Tom from Balwyn Pool Fence Inspections can help make the next steps straightforward.
With more than 10 years of experience, Tom works with homeowners throughout Balwyn and surrounding Melbourne suburbs and provides a thorough assessment against the applicable Victorian pool barrier requirements.
If something does not pass, Tom clearly explains what needs to be rectified and can connect you with reliable local repairers if work is required.
Once your barrier passes, you can then make sure the new certificate is lodged with the council within the required 30 day period.
Final Thoughts
Losing your pool compliance certificate does not automatically mean starting the entire process again.
The first step is to contact your local council and establish whether your previous certificate was lodged and when your next inspection is due. If the certificate was correctly lodged, council records can help clarify your current position.
If your certificate was never lodged, has passed its valid lodgement period, or your next four year inspection is now due, you may need to arrange a new inspection.
If you are in Balwyn or surrounding Melbourne suburbs, contact Tom from Balwyn Pool Fence Inspections for experienced advice and a straightforward pool or spa barrier inspection.