1. Mandatory Safety Device
Since the French law of 3 January 2003, all private in-ground or semi-in-ground pools — including those in gîtes and holiday rentals — must be fitted with at least one standardised safety device.
You must choose at least one of the following four NF-certified systems:
- Safety fence — NF P90-306
- Water immersion alarm — NF P90-307
- Pool enclosure/shelter — NF P90-309
- Safety cover (minimum 100 kg resistance) — NF P90-308
2. Your Current Situation = Non-Compliant 
The property description explicitly states “no pool safety system in place”. This is a legal breach, whether the property is used personally or rented out.
A liability waiver signed by the guest has no legal value whatsoever in the event of an accident. As the owner, you remain fully liable — both civilly and criminally — regardless of any document signed by the tenant.
3. Risks in the Event of an Accident
If a guest is involved in a pool accident and the safety device is non-compliant, the owner’s civil liability can be directly engaged. In the event of a serious or fatal accident, criminal prosecution is possible.
Non-compliance can result in a fine of up to €45,000. Controls have been significantly tightened since 2025, particularly for holiday rental properties.
4. Increased Inspections Since 2025
The French government has strengthened inspections of rental properties with pools. Owners must be able to prove compliance with the applicable standard — an installation certificate or invoice may be requested during an inspection.
A mandatory maintenance log must record annual checks of the safety device. The owner’s liability is explicit even in the context of seasonal rental.
5. Insurance
It is strongly recommended to take out specific civil liability insurance for holiday rentals that explicitly covers swimming pool-related risks.
What You Need to Do — Practical Steps
Top priority before your next rental:
- Install one of the 4 certified safety systems
- Keep the installation invoice as proof of compliance
- Maintain an annual maintenance log
- Confirm that your insurance policy covers the pool in a rental context
The most practical and guest-friendly solution is a rigid bar safety cover (NF P90-308) — it provides full protection, opens easily, and doubles as a thermal cover.
Bottom line: the absence of a certified pool safety system exposes you to serious financial and criminal liability. This must be rectified before the property is rented out again.
