Selling a house with an old septic tank

Septic tanks are an essential part of every home. From the time they were first installed, septic systems have been a mainstay in many homes across America.

The size and age of your septic system will determine how you care for it including when it needs to be pumped or emptied and what type of treatment option you should consider.

If your septic tank is more than 15 years old, we recommend that you contact a professional plumber to assess the system and find out what kind of work may need to be done soon.

A lot has changed over the years with residential plumbing, so make sure that any potential problems can be fixed before making any decisions on your own about replacing or repairing them without assistance from someone who knows what they're doing.

Typically septic tanks are not something that homeowners should attempt to maintain on their own. There are lots of reasons for this, including the fact that many older homes simply do not have easy access to their septic tank, because it is buried in the ground where you shouldn't dig without professional guidance.

This is something a real estate agent will want to know about when selling a house because you want to be sure that potential buyers will have access without too much trouble in the future.

How to know if your house has a septic tank

Any house that drains into a septic tank will have some sign of this underground reservoir, whether it is visible on the surface or not.

One clue: if there is no sewer line connection in your basement and you can see water draining from the upper part of your foundation, then you probably need to investigate the possibility of a septic tank.

Another clue is if you have a septic tank lid somewhere on your property, usually in the backyard where it can be covered by grass or landscaping. The location of the septic tank will depend on how large the house is and where the existing sewer line was laid when it was built.

Real estate agents will also want to know if there is a service charge for pumping your septic tank or if it empties itself during heavy rains. If you get your septic tank pumped once a year, that's normal.

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Can I sell my house with a failed septic system?

In many cases you can, though it's best to go into the situation with a realistic plan for fixing or replacing your septic system. Also, consider that a tank full of sewage is a health hazard and may require you to take precautions with the sale of your house so as not to infect any new owners.

You should also have your septic tank inspected by a professional so you know what the current condition is before selling. If it's completely unusable, then you will either need to disclose this on any property disclosures or be prepared to repair or replace your system at your own expense.

You should also check with local authorities for any code violations that may exist if your septic tank is not functioning properly or if you have something else instead of a septic tank.

Selling a house with septic tank problems

A home with a septic tank is a great find for many people. They're more environmentally friendly and they don't require the connection to a city sewer system which means that certain properties that would otherwise be useless can now be used as a home.

However, if you are planning on selling your house with septic tank problems there are some things that you need to know.

Selling for cash

If you are selling your house fast then it is likely that you will be dealing with a cash buyer or someone who has the cash to purchase property quickly.

The problem is that most people who have this sort of money don't like buying houses with septic tank problems because they cannot judge how much the repairs will cost.

Buying property that needs repairs can be a gamble and most people who are buying for cash don't like gambling with their money.

Making an offer with contingencies

If you have a septic tank issue then the best way of selling your house is to make an offer on it but put in some sort of contingency clause that means that if the septic tank cannot be replaced or repaired then you are no longer obliged to sell.

This way, rather than risking your sale you are simply offering someone else the chance to take on your house with septic tank problems. If they don't want it for any reason, even septic tank issues, then they won't have to buy the house.

Warning

Never just assume that you will be able to easily replace your septic tank and only tell the buyer about it once you have a firm deal in place. If they find out too late and change their mind then they will not be obligated to complete the purchase and you could end up losing money on your house sale.

Mentioning the septic tank problem at an early stage will allow you to determine if a cash buyer would even be interested in your house and then if they are, what contingencies might happen so that you can protect yourself as the seller.

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Does a new septic system add value to your home?

A septic system is a key aspect of the value of a residential property. A well-maintained, properly installed, and easily accessible septic system adds significant value to a home.

Before you list your home for sale, you must determine if your existing septic system needs repair or replacement. If it does, fixing it is likely to be an expense that will lower your sale price.

You should consider asking a professional septic service provider to evaluate the condition of your system and provide you with an estimate of the costs associated with fixing or replacing it. If repairing or replacing your existing system requires digging up part of the yard and landscaping to find the centralized public sewer system, this may also lower the value of your home.

Selling a House With an Old Septic Tank: Final Thoughts

Selling a house with an old septic tank can be tricky. Because of the unknowns regarding major system repairs, buyers are less likely to consider this house. You have some options for selling your home if you have septic tank problems, but keep in mind that they may reduce the value of your home below what you think it's worth.