QLD: Is a private swimming pool covered by strata insurance in a duplex?

Question: How can we confirm whether our swimming pool forms part of our strata scheme or our lot for insurance purposes?

We own and live in one lot in a semi detached, single storey duplex strata scheme. Our property includes a swimming pool that was purchased with the lot.

Our insurer has updated its terms and will only insure strata properties where a privately owned pool is included within the strata. What documents should we check to verify whether our pool forms part of the strata scheme or is part of our individual lot?

Answer: If the swimming pool forms part of your lot and is considered a permanent structure associated with the building, it generally falls within the scope of the strata building insurance.

In a semi-detached duplex strata scheme where the two dwellings share a common wall, the building is generally required to be insured under a single strata building insurance policy arranged by the body corporate.

This requirement exists because insurers will not insure only part of a building that forms part of a connected structure. Where buildings share structural elements such as common walls, roofs, or foundations, the entire building must be insured together under the strata policy rather than each lot owner arranging separate building insurance.

In practice, this means the strata building insurance typically extends to cover all permanent structures forming part of the lot, including fixtures and improvements attached to the property. If the swimming pool forms part of your lot and is considered a permanent structure associated with the building, it falls within the scope of the strata building insurance.

Your insurer should be able to confirm whether the pool is recognised as part of the insured building. However, where a duplex has a shared wall, and the building is insured as a whole, insurers generally require the entire building and associated permanent structures (including pools) to be included in the strata policy.

This post appears in the April 2026 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine.

Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: tshandiman@iaa.net.au
P: 1300 554 165

This information is of a general nature only and neither represents nor is intended to be personal advice on any particular matter. Shandit Pty Ltd T/as Strata Insurance Solutions strongly suggests that no person should act specifically on the basis of the information in this document, but should obtain appropriate professional advice based on their own personal circumstances. Shandit Pty Ltd T/As Strata Insurance Solutions is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 404246) of Insurance Advisenent Australia AFSL No 240549, ABN 15 003 886 687.