Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa May 2014 | Page 35

RESIDENTIAL

SAFE
Home owners in Johannesburg may soon be in for a nasty surprise should a new by-law for the safeguarding
of swimming pools be enacted. The proposed draft requires that owners of swimming pools apply for a
permit within 90 days of circulation of said by-laws. Once an application for a permit has been received an
authorised official will be dispatched to inspect the pool. In order to qualify for a permit the pool owner will
need to have erected a fence around it which meets the following criteria:
•
be strong and durable;
•
entirely surround the swimming pool;
•
be not less than 1,2m in height;
•
be so situated, constructed and maintained, that a child is not able to climb over, crawl under, squeeze
through or otherwise gain access to the swimming pool, except through the gate or door forming part
of the enclosure if it is open;
•
have fitted to every such gate or door an approved self-closing and self locking device, and exit alarm
and a catch inaccessible to a child from the outside which device and catch shall be maintained in good
working order.
•
The proposed by-law does make provision for indoor pools, gates and possible exceptions. While
obtaining all of the relevant COCs when selling a property may seem like a lot of money and time
wasted, they are intended to provide both the seller and the buyer with a measure of protection, and
as such are a necessary evil.

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REALE ESTATE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

May 2014 SA Real Estate Investor

33