Estate Agents Guide to Selling Properties with Septic Tanks
“This has caused confusion among vendors, estate agents, buyers, and solicitors. Often, the current vendor is unaware of where the septic tank discharges, making it challenging to complete the pre-planned questionnaire they are required to fill out.”
Leanne Jeanes – Director, West Country Drainage Services
The Basics
A septic tank is an underground wastewater treatment structure common in rural and semi rural areas. They collect household wastewater and treat the waste before discharging into a properly designed drainage field for added treatment.
Where Should The Septic Tank Discharge?
In the old days septic tanks used to discharge into water courses, ditches and drainage fields. Today’s regulations stipulate that septic tanks should only discharge to a properly designed drainage field. If they are discharging to a watercourse they will need to be upgraded to a sewage treatment plant.
What Are The Benefits For Having A Septic Tank To Help Me Sell The Property?
Lower monthly costs – Since properties with septic tank systems are not connected to mains sewage they avoid the monthly fees. Although they do require the annual pump out they are often cheaper in the long run.
Reliability in rural areas – For properties in remote or rural areas septic tanks offer reliable waste management that does not depend on city infrastructure.
Environmentally Friendly – A good septic tank and drainage field often make the management of waste eco-friendly as they conserve energy, water and reduce pollution.
My Client Does Not Know Where The Septic Tank Is Discharging, What Happens Next?
This is a common occurrence and its vital to understand the discharge of the septic tank to ensure the compliance is met. We can offer a septic tank survey that will check all the required information to be able to sign this off and move on with the sale, hassle free.
What Do West Country Drainage Services Surveys Check?
• Septic tank size to ensure its correct for the property it serves.
• Septic tank condition – check its a watertight structure.
• Working level of the system.
• Discharge location.
• Pipe work to the septic tank
• Suction tanker to site to ensure all above can be surveyed.
Why Use Us?
There is nothing worse than trying to sell a property and the septic tank has been condemned incorrectly, in-turn forcing the sale of a sewage treatment plant installation. We have come across this time after time. We are proud to say that we have saved our clients in the region of £130k in upgrades that were not required but which had been quoted for by other drainage companies. With us, our policy is straight talk, no buzz words and above all, honesty.
We will only advise on an upgrade if it does not meet the rules and regulations set out and we pride ourselves in being the most honest drainage company in our region. We are 5 Star rated and our main aim is to stop any dishonesty within the trade. You can rely on West Country Drainage Services Ltd.
What Happens If The Septic Tank Does Not Meet The Regulations?
