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I was looking at a rural home with a bathroom that was added by the outside pool. The owner admitted the additiaonl septic tank was not permitted. He dug it himself. the septic tank from the house it legal but now I'm not sure how to deal with the ilegal one. Does he need to remove the tank? Do I need an inspection to decide if it can jsut be disconnected form the new bathroom and have the fuixtures removed? Will he have to pay fines and fees for constructing and using it?

I think your best bet would be to go talk to the county dept. in charge of that.
Your state or county can have many different or even no restrictions reguarding the septic tank.
We put in a homemade one for a cottage which at that time was perfectly legal as it was done properly with the correct drain tiles, etc.
But our county zoning has changed since that was done and it might not be legal now.
You won't know for sure until you talk to them about it.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryOnstad:
........ Does he need to remove the tank? Do I need an inspection to decide if it can jsut be disconnected form the new bathroom and have the fuixtures removed? Will he have to pay fines and fees for constructing and using it?

Here in Florida, in the county where I live....
YES to all of those questions.

Gary, Welcome to the Real Estate Boards where you will get and give lots of feedback - probably more than you expected but, all of it, will be well-meaning.

As to your specific question? None of us can answer it ~ as suggested, check with your local authorities as to what measures are out-right illegal and those that might have been "grand-fathered in." Bottom line? If this owner was a "do-it-yourselfer" that wasn't concerned with requirements, rules or regulations, a red flag would be flying for me.

Myself, I would run (not walk) away from this particular property. But, if it is unique and you really are interested, hire a home inspector to give you more information. Think you might need it... and good luck!

Questions you have to ask: Is the septic hooked up to a drain field or is it a holding tank? Is the septic adequately sized for the number of bedrooms (the usual criterion)? Has the entire septic system been inspected by the county (or whatever jurisdiction)?

I won't run away from the property. Just talk to the gov't and inspect everything carefully.

call the local building department and health department and they can tell you more .That is probably a holding tank system and should be removed by the person selling the house .Other septic system should always be inspected before you buy and should be cleaned .If the system was cleaned on a regular basis the owner should have proof.A septic system is not cheap to replace and rid ex added to it can help maintain it after you purchase the house .You can call all the local septic cleaning companies and they can give you more info and even may tell you if they cleaned it before .

Run, run, run away as fast as you can. No property is that unique or worth the hassle. Not to mention a potential health problem.

There is a reason why you need permits to replace a septic system or dig a new one HEALTH! In MA. After 20 years there will be an inspection by the town you live in and you WILL fail because of the age. You are never told that flat out, but it is a fact. if you know someone in the town, you can get it passed but you will be sued if it fails within one year with a new owner. The cost is around $10,000 for a new system and the town tells you that the money comes back when you pay your state taxes. If you move out of state, then it is tough luck for you.

flboy, it sounds like you have had some problems with this. But it does not mean it applies to the OP as we don't know where they live or what the gov't entity they have to deal with.

I should have said when you are going to sell the home and if it is 20 years old or older. My problem was the good old boy system that is still in place in a lot of small towns. Who you know in order to get around the environment laws.

You should contact to the county health department and I am sure they will helpful in well manner and show a right way on which you can make your septic tank legal.

Use caution when negotiating a contract that has a septic system, and along with the home inspection--also make the deal contingent upon a
septic system and drain field inspection. A "professional" septic inspection is not inexpensive. Age of a septic tank is done physically unless you want to take the word of paperwork. There can also be setbacks from the road setbacks and here in our county, for instance, a septic cannot be built within 50 ft. of the well.

I would definately find out all the requirements from code enforcement/bldg. dept. in your town and then conduct the inspections, and make sure it is a "contingency" in your contract.

If you LOVE the place..I would consider proceeding ...otherwise I would keep shopping...who knows you may find something better.

Consult a Realtor if you do not have one... familiar with rural properties.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: real estate lady,

We lived in a house out in the country. We built a brick outhouse, but put a regular commode in it, and put the septic and lines in ourselves. It isn't connected to the house septic tank though. We didn't get permits since it was a one holer and in the country. It is a legal septic system but done without permits. It isn't used much so there should never be a prolem. If this septic system is legal but with no permits and it hasn't given any problems I'd ask the seller when was it pumped out last. If he has never had it pumped out I'd ask him to do that before buying and then I'd buy the house and wouldn't worry about it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kayhil,