Up to 30,000 community swimming pools across Andalucía are at risk of closure and massive fines unless they comply with strict new health rules before the deadline.
The Andalusian Council of Property Managers (Cafincas) has launched a campaign urging homeowners’ associations to act before 2 January 2027. That is the cut-off date to adapt to the latest health and safety legislation.
The law now places legal responsibility directly on property owners. That means all maintenance staff and caretakers must hold official professional certifications. No exceptions.
Industry experts estimate that between 10,000 and 30,000 residential complexes are currently non-compliant. The worst affected areas include Málaga, Cádiz, Almería, Seville, and the Granada coast.
This new legislation marks a major shift for daily community management. Public health regulations now put the burden of verification squarely on the shoulders of homeowners’ communities.
A Cafincas spokesperson explained: «This requirement directly affects caretakers, maintenance workers, and external companies responsible for water treatment. They will ultimately be legally accountable.»
The penalty system is severe. Minor infractions can trigger fines of over €3,000. The most serious breaches, especially those posing a significant risk to public health, carry fines of up to €600,000.
According to sector estimates, Andalucía has between 120,000 and 180,000 residential pools. Of these, 40,000 to 70,000 belong to homeowners’ associations.
Between 60% and 75% of those fall under the ‘Type 3A’ category, which is fully regulated by the Andalusian decree. That means 35,000 to 45,000 pools are affected. These belong to communities of 20 or more properties.
Smaller communities with fewer than 20 properties will only be partially regulated.
However, there is some relief. The Andalusian Council has clarified that not every community needs to hire new staff. Many already outsource pool maintenance to specialised, accredited companies that already comply with health regulations.
What Is Decree 485/2019?
This obligation comes from Decree 485/2019, through which the Regional Government of Andalucía approved official regulations for swimming pools.
Cafincas warns: «Failing to meet qualification requirements can lead to consequences ranging from a formal rectification request to heavy financial penalties, temporary suspension of the service, or even the closure of the facility following an unfavourable inspection.»
The complexity of the regulatory framework goes far beyond staff training. It also includes:
- Water quality control
- Correct handling of chemical products
- Record keeping
- Implementation of self-monitoring protocols
Cafincas added: «Inadequate maintenance or work carried out by unqualified staff can lead to serious health incidents, as well as civil or criminal liability for those in charge of the community.»
The message from the Andalusian Council of Property Managers is clear: start your review and adaptation processes as soon as possible. Do not wait until the deadline approaches.
Your community pool could be at risk. Act now to avoid fines, closure, and legal trouble.
