We all love a pool to cool off in over summer, and many tenants will be tempted to get a portable pool, but without trying to spoil the fun, there are things you should know first.
Portable pools are treated the same as other residential pools. Any portable or inflatable pool that can hold 400mm depth of water or more is required to have a physical barrier that will restrict the entry of children when closed. Other portable pools like paddling pools should be under constant supervision and emptied after use.
Pool safety legislation includes the use of portable pools, and these must meet all legislative requirements such as barriers, self-closing gates, the required building consent, and landlord consent to name just a few. If these requirements are not met, even for portable pools, this would be a breach of The Building (Pools) Amendment Act 2016 and increases the risk of drowning for young children. If you are purchasing
a portable pool for summer, do your research and ensure that you meet the safety requirements.
And you just wanted to have fun!
Speak to your property manager first about what you want to do and how you plan to do it. For anything other than a padding pool that gets emptied after every use, you are likely to need consent from your landlord, in accordance with the provision for minor changes in the Residential Tenancies Act. You’ll want to consider where you will put the portable pool and assess the potential for damage to the premises, including any grassed areas, as you will be required to return the premises to substantially the same condition as before.
If you’re lucky enough to be renting a home with a swimming pool, always let your property manager know immediately if you discover any faulty gates or barriers as this is considered an urgent repair due to safety requirements.