Dividing fences and neighbouring properties

If you plan to use a boundary fence or dividing wall as part of your pool safety barrier, including when you are planning to install a new pool or spa or making changes to an existing pool safety barrier, you must contact the owners of the affected neighbouring properties.

This includes contacting the local Council if the dividing barrier adjoins a park or open space.

Notify your neighbours

Before you begin any work, or make changes to an existing pool safety barrier that uses a boundary or dividing fence, you must:

• fill in the dividing pool or spa barrier notice form
  • dividing pool or spa barrier notice form DOCX (60.9 KB)
  • dividing pool or spa barrier notice form PDF (964.8 KB)
• give a copy to each property owner that shares the boundary fence or dividing wall you plan to use for your pool safety barrier.

The dividing barrier notice lets your neighbours know:

• you have or are installing a pool or spa
• the boundary fence or dividing wall will form part of the pool safety barrier
• and objects should not be placed near or next to the dividing barrier or fence that would allow a young child to climb up and enter your pool area.

Inform your tenants

As the owner of a rental property you must: 

• make sure that there are no permanent items in the vicinity of the dividing barrier that could be used by a child to gain access to the pool area
• and let your tenants know if you get a notice from a neighbour saying the boundary fence or dividing wall is now, or is going to be, used as a pool safety barrier.

Your tenant will then know they should make sure objects are not placed near the fence that would allow a young child to climb up and enter the pool area.

Read more about pools or spas at rental properties.

If tenants receive a notice

If tenants receive a dividing barrier notice from a neighbour they need to give it to the property owner or managing agent.

Tenants should then make sure objects are not placed near the fence that would allow a young child to climb up and enter the pool area.

Read more about pools or spas at rental properties, including about tenant and landlord responsibilities.

Contacts

To find out more contact the Pool Fencing Unit.