Can I Sell My House with a Failed Septic System?
Can you sell a house with a failed septic system? Will any buyer accept its condition, and is it legal to sell your house this way?
Yes, you can sell a home with a failed septic system – unless local law prohibits it. In some states, it’s illegal to sell your home if the system isn’t up to code (which includes a failed system).
If you’re not sure about your local laws on the subject, a great place to start your search is with your state’s health department. Another good resource is your real estate agent, who should be familiar with the laws in your area or know where to get the answers you need.
If you live in a state or municipality that doesn’t allow you to sell a home without a working septic system, then you will have to repair or replace it before the sale. Even if you can sell a home without a functioning septic system, expect a diminished buyer pool and prepare to lower your price. Read on for some suggestions on how to sell a house with a failed septic system, and remember, you can always ask your agent for advice.
Consult With an Experienced Agent in Your Market
HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool can connect you with a top-performing agent who may be familiar with local regulations and standards to help you make the best decisions about selling your home with septic system issues.
What is a septic system and how does it work?
First, let’s cover what a septic system is and how it operates so you’ll understand its importance.
A septic system safely treats gray water and wastewater that comes from your home. Common in rural areas where homes aren’t connected to a city sewer system, septic systems are an established method of waste management.
One main pipe carries water from your house to a buried, water-tight septic tank typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene, where it is held long enough to allow the solids to settle to the bottom. There, they form sludge, letting the oil and grease float to the top as scum.
The effluent (liquid wastewater) is siphoned off to a drainfield, a shallow, covered area excavated in unsaturated soil. Pretreated wastewater is then discharged through piping onto porous surfaces (usually rock) that allow wastewater to filter through the soil. As the wastewater “percolates” through the soil, it removes coliform bacteria, viruses, and nutrients, ultimately discharging to groundwater.
If the drainfield is overloaded or blocked, it can flood and cause sewage to rise to the surface, or it can create backups in sinks and toilets.
That’s one sign of septic system failure. Other septic issues that could sink your home sale include:
- A foul odor near the septic tank and drainfield
- Bright green, “spongy” grass on the drainfield, especially during dry periods
- Pooling water or muddy soil around the septic system or in the basement
If this is the situation you’re facing when you’re ready to put your home on the market, you’ll need to take some steps to deal with it.
