Buying or Selling A House With A Septic Tank

Buying or selling a house with a septic tank?

Many people dream of a move to the countryside, but not everybody realises that this can sometimes mean being “off-grid”, where you aren’t connected to the sewage system and therefore need off-mains drainage system such as a Klargester tank. This simple guide will help you, whether you’re the buyer or the seller, to approach the situation armed with all  knowledge you’ll need.

Which type of septic tank is it?

You’ll probably know this if you’re selling, but if you’re buying then you’re going to want to know which type of off-mains drainage you’re actually dealing with.

Cesspits or cesspools are simply storage systems that simply collect the waste until it gets emptied – you’re more likely to find these in older houses. You can read more about septic tanks here.

Sewage treatment plants  actually clean the waste and then release it back into the environment – these require a lot less upkeep and are more likely to be found in newer properties.

Septic Tanks do discharge but the effluent is untreated and cannot be discharged to a watercourse or ditch, only to a suitable soakaway.

So you’ll need to firstly make sure you know which kind of off-mains drainage you’re dealing with.

To help you, there’s a full list of off-mains drainage systems for Sussex here: https://boxallward.co.uk/news/all-our-off-mains-drainage-systems-explained/

Make sure you know the septic tank legal situation

Another thing you’ll want to be clued up on is the legal situation regarding off-mains drainage. Unsurprisingly, the Government have to keep close controls on how these things operate due to the danger of polluting local lands and waterways.

If you’re selling a property, you must inform the buyer in writing that the property has a septic tank installed, as well as letting them know where it is situated and what kind of upkeep is required. You’ll also be expected to either repair anything that’s wrong or be open and honest about any problems pertaining to the septic tank with the buyer.

The full legal requirements are explained on this government website:
https://www.gov.uk/permits-you-need-for-septic-tanks/overview

It’s important to have a look through that page when buying or selling a house with a septic tank because as you know, laws such as these can change without exactly making front page news.

Buyers And Sellers Septic Tank Checklist

1. Do you know if the property has of-mains drainage? If not, find out!
2. Do you know where it is situated?
3. Do you know how old the system is?
4. Do you know what condition it’s in?
5. Does the system need any work doing to it?
6. Do you have access to the relevant maintenance paperwork showing all this?
7. Have you checked the legal situation on the gov.uk website?

In short, make sure you know a) everything you need to know and b) what that ‘everything’ is! If all this sounds a little like a lot of hassle, then…

Ask An Expert!

New off-mains drainage systems can cost quite a lot of money to install so it’s really worth making sure you are getting this right if you are buying a property.

If you have any questions arising from the above, or simply need the assurance of expert advice and help, just ring us on 01903 815377 and we’ll be delighted to have a free, no-obligation chat with you about your circumstances. Buying or selling a house with a septic tank needn’t be a problem when Boxall Ward are by your side!

Buying or selling a house with a septic tank?

Many people dream of a move to the countryside, but not everybody realises that this can sometimes mean being “off-grid”, where you aren’t connected to the sewage system and therefore need off-mains drainage system such as a Klargester tank. This simple guide will help you, whether you’re the buyer or the seller, to approach the situation armed with all  knowledge you’ll need.

Which type of septic tank is it?

You’ll probably know this if you’re selling, but if you’re buying then you’re going to want to know which type of off-mains drainage you’re actually dealing with.

Cesspits or cesspools are simply storage systems that simply collect the waste until it gets emptied – you’re more likely to find these in older houses. You can read more about septic tanks here.

Sewage treatment plants  actually clean the waste and then release it back into the environment – these require a lot less upkeep and are more likely to be found in newer properties.

Septic Tanks do discharge but the effluent is untreated and cannot be discharged to a watercourse or ditch, only to a suitable soakaway.

So you’ll need to firstly make sure you know which kind of off-mains drainage you’re dealing with.

To help you, there’s a full list of off-mains drainage systems for Sussex here: https://boxallward.co.uk/news/all-our-off-mains-drainage-systems-explained/

Make sure you know the septic tank legal situation

Another thing you’ll want to be clued up on is the legal situation regarding off-mains drainage. Unsurprisingly, the Government have to keep close controls on how these things operate due to the danger of polluting local lands and waterways.

If you’re selling a property, you must inform the buyer in writing that the property has a septic tank installed, as well as letting them know where it is situated and what kind of upkeep is required. You’ll also be expected to either repair anything that’s wrong or be open and honest about any problems pertaining to the septic tank with the buyer.

The full legal requirements are explained on this government website:
https://www.gov.uk/permits-you-need-for-septic-tanks/overview

It’s important to have a look through that page when buying or selling a house with a septic tank because as you know, laws such as these can change without exactly making front page news.

Buyers And Sellers Septic Tank Checklist

1. Do you know if the property has of-mains drainage? If not, find out!
2. Do you know where it is situated?
3. Do you know how old the system is?
4. Do you know what condition it’s in?
5. Does the system need any work doing to it?
6. Do you have access to the relevant maintenance paperwork showing all this?
7. Have you checked the legal situation on the gov.uk website?

In short, make sure you know a) everything you need to know and b) what that ‘everything’ is! If all this sounds a little like a lot of hassle, then…

Ask An Expert!

New off-mains drainage systems can cost quite a lot of money to install so it’s really worth making sure you are getting this right if you are buying a property.

If you have any questions arising from the above, or simply need the assurance of expert advice and help, just ring us on 01903 815377 and we’ll be delighted to have a free, no-obligation chat with you about your circumstances. Buying or selling a house with a septic tank needn’t be a problem when Boxall Ward are by your side!