The Insurance Implications of a Pool in Your Rental Property
If you’ve just had a pool installed in your rental property in time for the summer weather, you want to make sure you are avoiding any risks for your property, tenants and yourself as Landlord or Property Manager.
If a below-ground pool has been added, this is considered a material change to the property. Inform your insurers of such a change to determine if they are willing to assume the risk and at what cost. Failing to disclose this information could result in any claim being denied or even the policy being void.
Be sure to talk to your insurer about adjusting the building sum insured to take into consideration the cost of replacing the pool if it were to be damaged.
Check that your pool is compliant with state legislation. In Queensland, pool rules include:
- all climbable objects are at least 900mm away from the barrier on the outside
- minimum height for a pool fence is 1200mm
- gaps under the fence are no more than 100mm
- CPR sign is visible from the pool enclosure
- pool gate must not swing inwards
- pool gate must never be propped open
- pool gate self-closes and self-latches from every open position, without manual force
As the Landlord/Property Manager, you are responsible for ensuring that the premises is safe and that any legal requirements are complied with.
As there are circumstances where the tenant may be held responsible for an accident at the rental (known as occupiers’ liability), it’s important they have their own liability insurance. It should be made clear to your tenants that your landlord insurance covers your legal liability.
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