Purchasing a Home with a Septic System: What You Need to Know
Buying a home is a very exciting process, but it can also come with a lot of added stress. There are so many factors to consider, documents to evaluate, and decisions to make. One of the most common mistakes homebuyers make is overlooking the septic tank, because they aren’t as visible as other features in a home.
When reviewing prospective homes, we recommend asking whether the home has a septic system right away, and not relying on the selling agent to bring it to your attention. Additionally, before closing, it’s important to make sure you know how a home’s septic system is designed, its current status, and what future care it may require. Knowing the ins and outs of a home’s septic system can help you make an informed purchasing decision, and help you avoid messy and unpleasant wastewater surprises in the future.
If you’re new to septic systems, we highly recommend reading our guide: How Does a Septic Tank Work?
Key Points About Buying Homes with Septic Tanks
- Prior to purchasing a home, make sure to get a separate septic system inspection completed by a certified septic system professional.
- Request septic system plans, installation records, permits, pumping history, and any other documents the seller has regarding their septic system.
- After the inspection, if there are any issues found, make sure to get quotes for the required repairs and replacements, so you can include those figures in your negotiations throughout the home buying process.
- Work closely with a septic system professional to understand the home’s septic system, confirm it meets local regulations, and to budget for future maintenance.
Tips for Buying a Home with a Septic System
Buying a home with a septic system doesn’t need to be overly complicated. In fact, if you follow these key tips, you should be able to navigate the process with confidence.
1. Ask for Septic Installation Plans, Records, and Maintenance History
During the home buying process, make sure to request septic system plans, installation records, permits, and any other documents the seller may have access to regarding their septic system. If the seller doesn’t have all of the information you need, most counties keep records of septic permits, designs, and pumpings that you can access.
Having detailed documentation can be very useful when taking ownership of a septic system, because it allows you to look at the full history of the system, and gain a better understanding of its actual status. For example, if the seller has detailed maintenance and repair records, it can help confirm that you’re inheriting a system that is in excellent shape — alternatively, if the seller has no records of maintenance or repair, you may be buying a system full of costly problems.
2. Get a Professional Septic System Inspection
The number one piece of advice we can give is to have the home’s septic system inspected separately from the home inspection.
Many counties across the United States require a septic inspection before a property can be sold, unfortunately, not all of them have this specification. Some counties that require septic inspections allow for the septic system to be checked during the general home inspection, leaving a major opportunity for potential problems to go unnoticed.
We always recommend hiring a certified septic inspector.
Even if you have to pay for the separate inspection yourself, investing in the inspection may help prevent you from having to spend thousands of dollars on repairing or replacing the septic tank, leach field, or plumbing.
Learn More: How to Choose the Best Septic System Provider
Choose a Local Septic System Inspector
We also highly suggest choosing a septic system inspector who operates in the county of the home you are buying, and is familiar with the local codes and regulations in your area. This will help ensure that the septic system is compliant in your location specifically, reducing the chances of any legal snags down the line.
Another benefit of using a local septic system inspector is that they will likely have strong recommendations for septic system service providers in your community, so building that relationship from that start can go a long way.
For more information about finding a reliable septic system inspector or provider, read our guide: How to Choose the Best Septic System Provider
3. Pump the Septic Tank Prior to Sale
Most places require septic tanks to be pumped before a home is sold, but it is not mandated in all locations.
We always recommend getting the septic tank pumped prior to sale.
Ideally, the septic tank would be pumped in conjunction with the septic inspection, allowing the septic system professional to see the inside of the tank. Hopefully, the seller will take care of this cost, but even if you’re obligated to take responsibility, the few hundred dollars spent to have the septic tank pumped can help you identify any possible issues ahead of time.
If you’re looking for more guidance on septic system pumping, review our guides:
4. Get Quotes for Required Septic System Repairs & Replacements
Keep in mind that any issues found during the septic system inspection or pumping are not necessarily deal breakers. As with any issue found during the home buying process, septic system information simply gives your more bargaining power.
The septic system is an important, and expensive, part of a home. Make sure that any issues are included in your discussions throughout the process. While it’s unlikely that something like a full system replacement will be necessary, having quotes ready will give you a stronger negotiation position.
If you want help budgeting for septic system installations, upgrades, or replacements, read our guides:
- How Much is a Septic Tank? Septic System Installation Costs
- How Much is a Septic Tank? Septic System Upgrade & Replacement Costs
5. Understand How the Septic System Works
Before purchasing a home with a septic system, make sure that you learn about how the system works. Not all septic systems are designed the same way, so you’ll want to identify any quirks or limitations of the system that is currently installed.
Understanding how the septic system functions can help to ensure you follow septic-friendly practices in your home, including avoiding harsh cleaning products or limiting water usage to prevent system damage or overload.
Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the septic systems placement and design can enable you to avoid unintentional damage to the septic tank and leach field, and can also keep you and your loved ones safe.
If you want to gain more knowledge about septic systems, read our guides:
6. Confirm the Septic System Meets Local Regulations
Unfortunately, some septic systems don’t meet current code requirements, with some sellers attempting to hide this information.
If you’re using a local septic system inspector, they should confirm that the septic system is compliant with all local laws and regulations. Supporting documentation like the original septic system plans and installation records can also help confirm that the septic system is safe and compliant.
7. Budget for Future Septic System Maintenance
Based on the septic systems age, the pumping history, and the results of the inspection, you should be able to work with a septic system professional to plan for future maintenance. Budgeting for this from the start can not only help you establish good septic system maintenance habits, but can also help ensure you’re financially prepared to commit to purchasing the home.
Advantages of Buying a House with a Septic Tank
With all of the extra effort required to check a septic system before purchasing a home, you may be wondering if septic systems provide any advantages. Fortunately, all the hard work at the beginning can be well worth the effort.
Some benefits of buying a home with a septic tank include:
- Environmentally-Friendly: Septic systems allow for the treatment and disposal of wastewater onsite, rather than having it sent to a centralized treatment facility.
- Reliability: Septic systems are not subject to the same disruptions or outages that you might experience with a municipal treatment system.
- Control: Septic systems give you full control over the maintenance and care of the system, allowing you to ensure it is properly cared for and functioning at its best.
Still Have Questions About Buying a Home with a Septic Tank?
It’s normal to have questions about purchasing a home with a septic system, but thankfully, we’re here to support you throughout the buying process.
The elite Customer Service Team at GoodHaven is trained and ready to help answer your septic questions and resolve septic issues today.
Dig Deep Before You Buy: Septic Smarts Pay Off
Congratulations! After reading this guide, you should be fully prepared to buy a home with a septic system. Hiring a certified inspector that’s local to your area, requesting all relevant documentation, and getting quotes for necessary repairs can put you in the best buying position possible.
By taking the time to fully evaluate the septic system ahead of time, you can comfortably negotiate during the home buying process, accurately budget for future maintenance, properly care for the system, and avoid surprise repairs and replacements.