Sewers and Septics
March 16, 2007
I believe that it is easy to take for granted that the home you are purchasing has a functioning waste disposal connection; i.e. sewer or septic. I know that when we purchased our first home, it never occurred to us to even ask the question as to whether the property was on public sewer or private septic system. Now, however, this is one of the features that should be checked on the listing data information, on the Seller's Transfer Disclosure and on the Purchase Agreement. It is not wise to assume that just because a property is located in a developed area it is connected to a sewer. It is a major headache for a homebuyer to have sewage back up shortly after the close of escrow. The best way to avoid this headache is to check it out during the normal inspection time frame.
If the Seller has indicated that the property is connected to the public sewer system, you can check by asking for a copy of the latest water and sewer bill. If there is no line item for sewer, it would be wise to do some further checking. The property may still be connected to a septic system.
If property is connected to a private septic system, a part of a purchase agreement should include the request that the seller have the system inspected, pumped, if necessary, and CERTIFIED. The certification is important since many govermental regulations will require either a new system or that the property be connected to the sewer if it is available. Both can be costly items. It is in both the seller's and the buyer's best interest to know the condition of the waste disposal system of a property. The seller because of the rule of "full disclosure" and the buyer to know that this important system is in proper functioning condition.
I believe that it is easy to take for granted that the home you are purchasing has a functioning waste disposal connection; i.e. sewer or septic. I know that when we purchased our first home, it never occurred to us to even ask the question as to whether the property was on public sewer or private septic system. Now, however, this is one of the features that should be checked on the listing data information, on the Seller's Transfer Disclosure and on the Purchase Agreement. It is not wise to assume that just because a property is located in a developed area it is connected to a sewer. It is a major headache for a homebuyer to have sewage back up shortly after the close of escrow. The best way to avoid this headache is to check it out during the normal inspection time frame.
If the Seller has indicated that the property is connected to the public sewer system, you can check by asking for a copy of the latest water and sewer bill. If there is no line item for sewer, it would be wise to do some further checking. The property may still be connected to a septic system.
If property is connected to a private septic system, a part of a purchase agreement should include the request that the seller have the system inspected, pumped, if necessary, and CERTIFIED. The certification is important since many govermental regulations will require either a new system or that the property be connected to the sewer if it is available. Both can be costly items. It is in both the seller's and the buyer's best interest to know the condition of the waste disposal system of a property. The seller because of the rule of "full disclosure" and the buyer to know that this important system is in proper functioning condition.
posted by shirley harry at 9:33 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home