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Tirohia tonuhia te haumaru o te taiapa, ārai rānei o tō puna kaukau

Regular safety checks of your pool fence and barrier

The Building Act 2004 requires your pool barrier to be inspected at least once every three years by council or an independently qualified pool inspector.

​Scheduled pool barrier safety checks

We automatically schedule safety checks for pool barriers, approximately once every three years.

Around two weeks before the assessment date, we will send a letter letting you know when we will be in your neighbourhood.

Homeowners, tenants, landlords and property managers carry joint responsibility for pool safety. Make sure the pool is always secure and ensure safety through regular maintenance of fences and gates.

Booking a pool barrier safety check

If an inspector will have trouble accessing the property because of security restrictions or dogs, or if you want to be home when the inspector comes, you will need to contact us and book a day.

09 353 9143

pools@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Otherwise, our inspector will visit your property according to our schedule and carry out the safety check.

Unsuccessful safety checks

If our inspector comes to your property and cannot gain access to the pool area, you will still be charged for the site visit and you will need to book a return assessment time.

If the pool barrier fails the inspection, we will automatically re-book a re-check in 21 days. Make sure you contact us if you are unable to get the work completed in time.

Sites considered particularly dangerous will be re-checked after 48 hours. 

We can issue a 'Notice to fix' under the Building Act 2004 for a non-complying pool or pool barrier.

Check who is responsible for ensuring that a pool barrier complies.

Use our pool area safety checklist to ensure your pool is safe.

Cost of a pool safety site visit

Swimming pool owners are charged an annual targeted rate of $66.33. This covers the cost of the inspection to confirm compliance. 

After a successful inspection, a pool area is classed as "pass", "empty" or "removed".

If we are unable to gain access, or your inspection fails, there will be an extra charge of $199.

Discount for using an independent qualified pool inspector

If you use an independent qualified pool inspector, the targeted rate will be reduced to $33.17.

If you have received a certificate of periodic inspection from an independent qualified pool inspector, email pools@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your:

  • full name
  • address
  • contact phone number
  • the certificate of periodic inspection provided to you by the inspector.

The discount will show on your next rates bill. It will apply to your rates for the three years until your next inspection is required.

Who carries out pool barrier inspections

You can:

  • use one of our pool inspectors
  • hire an independently qualified pool inspector.

To find an independently qualified pool inspector (IQPI), see the pool inspector public register .

If you choose an independently qualified pool inspector, they will issue a certificate of periodic inspection certifying the pool barrier complies.

Let us know if you choose to use an IQPI so that we can update our records.

To do this, contact us on:

09 353 9143

pools@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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