BUYING & SELLING
In 2012, Washington State began requiring a Time of Sale Inspection of a home’s septic system to hold sellers accountable for demonstrating that a home has a functional, permitted septic system that passes a stress test.
If the inspection uncovers any immediate health hazard due to contaminated effluent leaking from the system, the seller is responsible for fixing the problem, with supervision from the county. If the house sells before the hazard is fixed, the buyer takes on the responsibility of quickly fixing the problem.
For any other problems that come up during the inspection, including repairs or inconsistencies between the septic permit and actual system or buildings on the property, the buyer and seller can negotiate who does what, who pays, and on what timeline — all without supervision from the county.
Buyers, be informed!
Buyers, read all available septic records for a property, not just the Time of Sale Inspection. It’s important that you understand the septic system’s design, maintenance requirements, impacts on land use (for example, drainfield landscaping, tank location and access, and reserve drainfield), and permitting limitations. There may be covenants based on site limitations, or there may be a “non-conforming” septic system that, for some reason, does not meet code requirements. Either may limit your options for building or remodeling in the future.
Do not rely on real estate agents to be experts in septic-related issues, particularly real estate agents from off island who are accustomed to dealing in homes on public sewer systems.
Owning an island home with a septic system in a sense means owning your very own wastewater treatment plant. Might as well dive right into the joys and responsibilities of it!
Related Links:
Flowchart: Responsibilities at the Time of Sale for Properties with Septic Systems