A bill aimed at upgrading the legislation related to the features and inspections of public and private swimming pools is expected to be presented in parliament before the end of the year, after the issue was discussed during a House interior committee meeting on Thursday.
This development was discussed during a session of the parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs. Committee members have requested that the bill be submitted to parliament by the end of the year. Notably, there has been a prior legislative proposal by the Edek MP, Elias Myrianthous, dating back to 2019 concerning the same matter.
The bill, currently under review by the legal service, categorises swimming pools into three distinct groups:
- The first category includes pools located within water parks.
- The second pertains to hotel and tourist accommodation pools.
- Third encompasses all other swimming pools, excluding those serving more than five residential units.
Depending on their category, these swimming pools will require construction permits and periodic inspections. Health and safety inspections will be systematically conducted for pools in the first two categories, while pools in the third category will undergo sampling inspections only. Additionally, lifeguards will be required for supervision in the first two categories.
Following the meeting, the committee’s vice chair, AKEL MP Marina Nicolaou, said the bill has completed its drafting process, underlining that the current legislation, dating back to 1992, is outdated.
“Modernising it is a step in the right direction,” she said.
EDEK MP Elias Myrianthous urged for the bill to be promptly presented in parliament and to be voted on before the upcoming summer season. He added that the existing legislation regulating swimming pools is outdated, despite EU guidelines and standards regulating such matters.
“This is what it is urgent to change the regulations regarding swimming pools, particularly those pertaining to safety, water quality, and usage,” he said.
Comments from the Editor
This is how the Cyprus law relating to swimming pools currently stands:
Cyprus Law N.55(I)/92 paragraph 2 states states that the term ‘public swimming pool’ also includes the swimming pools of buildings which are used by the owners of the units or their tenants.
Regulation Number 368/96 paragraph 47 (1) states that all workers on the swimming pool site or in connection with its operation must hold a health certificate, be clean and of good behaviour.
Regulation Number 368/96 paragraph 47(2) states that all the trained supervisors will be on duty during the operation and the use of the swimming pool. Their number is determined in accordance with the size of the swimming pool and the number of the persons usually using the swimming pool.
Regulation Number 368/96 paragraph 47 (2)(a)(i) states that for small swimming pools at least one trained supervisor is necessary to be appointed.
Regulation Number 368/96 Part VII paragraph 53 states that a license is needed for the operation of a swimming pool by applying to the relevant authority. The last decision is made by the Minister.
This will be another who you know not what you do. We have spent very large sums on our complex pool, changing rooms and patio/gardens. But have come up again and again petty rules designed to make somebody in the council feel good. It seems as though a problem is solved and then another is found. The pool has been out of bounds for well over a year now. The area and pool is maintained to a high standard all the time which is costing all the residents a fortune. As things stand it is just not workable or affordable. There should have been a proper consultation and plenty of warning about this. But this is Cyprus
Thanks Christopher. Denis O’Hare (CPAG) and I went to the Interior Ministry in 2009 and highlighted the problems with swimming pools and Title Deeds. For our efforts, the (then) Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis issued a public statement, which you can read at Cyprus Interior Minister’s Statement on Title Deeds.
So many of us bought our properties because it had a communal pool. If ours has to close I feel we should be compensated by the govt. This will surely render our properties a lesser value ?
When you bought the property your lawyer should have advised you about communal fees, swimming pools, etc.
As the law came into force in 1992 and regulations in 1996 (which I assume was before you bought the property) your lawyer would have been well aware of the situation.
Lots of entities seem to have been complicit in the breach of this law .. Lawyers. Estate agents. Sellers. Municipalities. Developers… 31 years of it and still happening
Lawyers have said nothing estate agents have said nothing….
So does this latest report mean that a third category is now being assessed to cover properties of 6 or more units with communal pools will have requirements imposed on them but maybe more relaxed.
Properties of up to 5 units with communal pools will not have requirements imposed
Who knows
Who knows how swimming pools serving more than five residential units are going to be treated. If they’re not in category 1, 2, or 3, maybe a category 4.
I’m sure a lot will change before a draft bill is put to Parliament.
This doesn’t really alter the current system much as category 3 is only for complexes with less than 5 units.
Most residential complexes with pools have more than 5 units.. so really, this new legislation is doing nothing for the private owners complexes! Most residential complexes would still require a lifeguard..which would be very expensive.
It’s unclear how swimming pools serving more than five residential units are going to be treated. Maybe a category 4?
There are not enough lifeguards in Cyprus to man the swimming pools.