Septic inspections are commonly required by your local government or environmental health authority and are conducted at the time of the sale of a property. A number of parties are interested in the results of an inspection: the seller, the real estate agents, the lending agency and the local government agency. They all have slightly different interests. The seller wants a clean bill of health for the system since “they have never had a problem with it.” The real estate agents are interested in completing the sale as soon as possible. The lender wants the deal to go through as quickly and as smoothly as possible. The local government wants to know if the onsite system is up to standards and is not a public nuisance or health hazard. The buyer wants no future problems. As a result of the needs of the interested parties, the inspector must prepare a report that provides answers to all of the questions that might be raised.

For the prospective buyer, an education about the operation and location of the septic system is definitely needed. The seller may not be as familiar as the buyer may want them to be and if the system doesn’t work properly and efficiently, that education can begin in a hurry.

Note: For more information on your area’s specific requirements, contact your local government or state agency.