What to do if you are selling a house with a septic tank in the UK

Selling a house with a septic tank in the UK requires a lot of planning and consideration. Septic tanks are common in rural areas, but they do come with specific legal regulations for when you sell your property. Making sure these are all taken care of in advance can ensure a swifter and easier sale. Septic Tank Services are often asked to check septic tanks in homes throughout Scotland and the north of England before a house is put on the market so that any problems are detected early and can be fixed before it is marketed.

Septic tank regulations

Firstly, by law your septic tank needs to be registered if it is in Scotland. You can check if it is or not on this SEPA page. If it isn’t, then you need to ensure it follows all regulations before registering it. If you are unsure, then we are happy to do a full assessment on the septic tank and drainage field for you. Should your tank be registered, it is good practice to have registration confirmation available to view for potential buyers. There is usually no need to register your septic tank in England so long as it meets ‘general binding rules‘.

It’s also important to be able to offer a full statement on the health of your septic tank to buyers. As with all other aspects of your home, transparency about the septic tank’s condition, location, and maintenance history is essential. Buyers will want to know that the system is functioning properly and if it has been regularly serviced. Having detailed records of inspections, maintenance, and any repairs will help build confidence in buyers.

Septic tank inspections

A thorough inspection of the septic tank system just before you list your property is a good idea. That’s because it gives an up-to-date independent assessment on the condition of your tank and pipes. If it comes back with a clean bill of health – great! If there are issues to resolve, you can either do that yourself, or be up front about issues when selling. You may find it easier to reduce the asking price of the property rather than spend time and money fixing it yourself. You certainly don’t want to have a last-minute septic surprise should a buyer initiate their own assessment.

Septic tanks in tip-top shape

Selling a house with a septic tank in Scotland and England should be a straightforward process. By ensuring compliance with regulations, being transparent with potential buyers and conducting a thorough inspection, you can rest easy knowing you have done everything you can. Get in touch with us today if you are planning on selling a house with a septic tank in the UK, and we will be happy to organise an assessment.