BUYING OR SELLING A HOME IN AN UNSEWERED AREA
Your sewage treatment system/septic tank can hold up the sale of your home where the sewage treatment system/septic tank and absorption areas are not in good working order.
Why would you take the risk that council may do an inspection, that may stop/delay the sale of your home.
You would not want to be issued with an order 21 under section 124 and be given 28 days by council in which to get:
• A Wastewater Report including Geotech samples
• Council approval to install/amend
• A Wastewater specialist to install the system and the associated irrigation/absorption areas
• Council inspections during the installation process
• The work needs to be completed
• A license to operate after completion
A good solicitor via searches should check if the property is connected to the Sydney Water Sewage Network, and if not to:
• Ensure the current treatment system has been approved by council
• Has not been amended without approval
• And is in good working order
• Has been serviced regulary
Therefore the purchasers solicitor may contact the local council to do an inspection, and you need to be aware this may happen, as you don’t want the sale of your home to be held up by these issues, as penalties for late settlement can be applied.
For the buyer, it’s a case of buyer be aware as if you have not lived in a property that is not on the sewer, and if the appropriate investigations and inspections have not been done, you may end up with a system that is either not functioning correctly or will eventually be condemned should council wish to do an inspection.
This may cause you to try to take legal action against the seller to compensate you to replace/repair the condemned unit, as you were unaware there was a problem.
We have seen both of these scenarios occur to clients of ours and that’s why we think its important and are now offering our assistance.
Ecowise Wastewater Systems are offering pre purchase/pre-sale inspections for a small charge – don’t get caught out at the last moment.
Conditions and geographical limits may apply – call us for more information (02) 9654 8123 M: 0478 104 991
