These laws have had a long lead in time. They were first intended to apply in April of 2014, but due to property owners across the state all but ignoring them, the requirements were delayed first to 2015 and again to 2016. The Department of Local Government should be congratulated for finally biting the bullet and bringing them into force.
We wondered if two years was long enough for property owners to organise an inspection of their pool. So we picked 15 houses with pools being advertised today from around the state, and in a range of rent prices- from $270 per week up to $2000 per week. All the properties were being managed by real estate agents, though that wasn't a criterion.
The answer was a resounding NO. 2 years warning is apparently not long enough. Just 3 of the 15 properties complied with the certification rules and would be able to produce the correct documents to the tenant.
There is hope though. Of the three that did pass, all three have registered in the last 6 weeks- one of them just two days ago. While it is obviously just a tiny sample, it suggests people are starting to get the message and compliance may well pick up now that the rules are actually in effect. In the meantime, if you have concerns that your new landlord has not complied- give your local Tenants' Advice and Advocacy Service a ring.
"it suggests people are starting to get the message and compliance may well pick up now that the rules are actually in effect."
ReplyDeleteI got the message, loud and clear. Compliance. This is a dictatorial disgrace and has been allowed to be made law without so much as a shrug from the public.
I will state the obvious, logical truth here (this is non offensive, objective logic - any offense taken to this is literally by choice) in that the safety of children is the sole responsibility of their parents and caregivers. These regulations should never have gotten past the stage of proposal based on basic private property rights. Leasing a property containing a pool is a choice, similar to having children is a choice. We as a society ought to start putting the onus of child safety back on the parents and caregivers and not on landlords. This sets a dangerous precedent and will not be the last regulation foisted upon us.
Dear Anonymous,
DeleteNo offence taken. We're all entitled to our opinions, after all.
Cheers,
Ned.