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What should I do if my home purchase is listed as being on city sewer but it's not?
Many older neighborhoods were initially built with private wells and septic systems, even though city sewer may now be available in the area.
Just because the listing says "city sewer" doesn't mean the home is actually connected.
Connecting a home to the city sewer system can cost thousands of dollars, as it often requires digging up the property to install the necessary pipes and infrastructure.
If the home is on a septic system instead of city sewer, the septic tank may be buried underneath a concrete patio or driveway, which can make it difficult and expensive to access or replace.
Listing a home as being on city sewer when it's actually on a septic system is considered a major deception.
This is akin to falsely advertising the home as having city water when it's actually on a private well.
Homebuyers should always insist on a thorough professional inspection, including checking the sewer/septic status, before finalizing a purchase.
Don't rely solely on the seller's disclosures.
If the home inspection reveals the property is on a septic system, but the listing stated city sewer, the buyer may have grounds to sue the seller for fraudulent misrepresentation or breach of contract.
Depending on local laws, the seller may be required to disclose any known issues with the septic system, even if the home was listed as being on city sewer.
Failure to do so could open them up to liability.
An improperly functioning septic system can lead to serious environmental and health hazards, such as sewage backups or groundwater contamination.
This can be very costly to remediate.
Homeowners with a septic system must regularly maintain and pump the tank, which can cost hundreds of dollars each time.
This is an ongoing expense not required for homes on city sewer.
Septic systems have a finite lifespan, typically 20-30 years.
Replacing a failed septic system can cost $10,000 or more, far exceeding the cost of simply connecting to city sewer.
Some municipalities offer financial assistance programs to help homeowners cover the cost of connecting to the city sewer system, but these may have strict eligibility requirements.
If the home is indeed on a septic system, the buyer should factor in the potential replacement or connection costs when negotiating the purchase price, as this can significantly impact the home's overall value.
Homebuyers should research the average costs of sewer vs.
septic system maintenance and replacement in the local area to better understand the financial implications.
The home's appraisal should have identified if the property was on a septic system, rather than city sewer.
If this was missed, the buyer may have grounds to dispute the appraisal.
In some cases, the city or county may have records indicating whether a property is connected to the municipal sewer system or has a private septic system.
These can be valuable resources for verifying the home's infrastructure.
Homeowners associations (HOAs) may have specific rules or restrictions regarding septic systems, including requirements for regular inspections or prohibitions on certain types of systems.
This is important to understand before purchasing.
If the home is indeed on a septic system, the buyer should inquire about the system's age, maintenance history, and any known issues, as this can help estimate future repair or replacement costs.
Lenders may have different underwriting requirements or even refuse to finance a home with a septic system, so buyers should check with their mortgage provider early in the process.
In areas with aging infrastructure, city sewer systems can experience frequent backups or failures, leading to additional maintenance costs for homeowners.
This is an important consideration when evaluating a property listed as being on city sewer.
Homebuyers should factor in the potential for future changes in local regulations or environmental laws that could impact the cost or feasibility of maintaining a septic system versus connecting to city sewer.
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