Shared Septic Tank - Educate me please
Discussion
Been looking at some houses lately, we fancy going rural after living in towns all our lives. There are two things that I spot as big differences, no gas mains and no mains sewerage. Gas I can handle, there are heating provisions of some kind in place, usually oil. However, I no absolutely nothing about septic tanks apart from what I've googled over the last few weeks. We recently viewed a house that we liked, however one thing that put me off was a shared septic tank.
The house has a septic tank on the premises that is shared with five other houses (a row of 6), however the tank is under the back garden of the house for sale, not any of the other properties. I checked with the owner and agent, there is no contract or management agreement of any sort between the six properties. They all get on (theoretically), chip in to have the tank emptied whenever required and maintain the drains, or so I'm told. As there is nothing in writing it's pretty much impossible to verify any of this. Maybe because I'm a "townie" but I just think it's a (potential) disaster waiting to happen. The tank or drains block up, neighbors disappear into the ether and we would be left to sort out the problem.
So am I being paranoid about something and nothing, is this the norm for rural properties?
One other question regarding the tank, this time about drainage. When I do some reading up, the size of the drainage field required varies depending on the porosity/permeability of the ground. However, when we viewed the house the back garden was waterlogged. I wonder if this is because the drain/leach field is trying to dispose of water from six houses into something approximately 100 metres square (10m x 10m). I was told the drains do not extend beyond the garden boundaries.
We really like the house but I wonder if its a world of pain for the future. Can anybody with some knowledge of tanks, or rural living experience advise me if my concerns are valid?
If it's a case of spending some money on a survey then that's also something I'm thinking about. I guess I would need a specialist with knowledge of installation and maintenance of septic tank systems.
Thanks in advance
Pete
The house has a septic tank on the premises that is shared with five other houses (a row of 6), however the tank is under the back garden of the house for sale, not any of the other properties. I checked with the owner and agent, there is no contract or management agreement of any sort between the six properties. They all get on (theoretically), chip in to have the tank emptied whenever required and maintain the drains, or so I'm told. As there is nothing in writing it's pretty much impossible to verify any of this. Maybe because I'm a "townie" but I just think it's a (potential) disaster waiting to happen. The tank or drains block up, neighbors disappear into the ether and we would be left to sort out the problem.
So am I being paranoid about something and nothing, is this the norm for rural properties?
One other question regarding the tank, this time about drainage. When I do some reading up, the size of the drainage field required varies depending on the porosity/permeability of the ground. However, when we viewed the house the back garden was waterlogged. I wonder if this is because the drain/leach field is trying to dispose of water from six houses into something approximately 100 metres square (10m x 10m). I was told the drains do not extend beyond the garden boundaries.
We really like the house but I wonder if its a world of pain for the future. Can anybody with some knowledge of tanks, or rural living experience advise me if my concerns are valid?
If it's a case of spending some money on a survey then that's also something I'm thinking about. I guess I would need a specialist with knowledge of installation and maintenance of septic tank systems.
Thanks in advance
Pete
I've got a shared septic tank, it's in next doors garden, they don't maintain it, it's a pain in the arse. The good thing is that they are lower than us so it backs up into their house, which is when they decide to do anything about it. Before anyone says, I've offered to pay half for emptying etc but they want me to pay the lot so I've stopped doing it. They even blame me when the drains are blocked by their little darlings throwing wet wipes down the bog.
Other than this, I get on ok with the neighbours.
Other than this, I get on ok with the neighbours.
Having recently previously owned a house which relied upon its own septic tank I wouldn't even now consider a house with a tank that is shared with another property, never mind six!
Unless you're ground is sand/gravel a 100m/2 area is utterly inadequate for, what must be a huge tank, six properties. Also new laws will insist that the tank is replaced with a costly alternative once the old tank requires repair work. In short be wary.
Unless you're ground is sand/gravel a 100m/2 area is utterly inadequate for, what must be a huge tank, six properties. Also new laws will insist that the tank is replaced with a costly alternative once the old tank requires repair work. In short be wary.
I'd be wary. I don't know the details, but I'd be budgeting a bit of cash to get your own one done, and not use the shared.
It's a pretty simple operation if you can get access to where you want to put the tank, so don't let it put you off the house overall if you like it.
2 situations near us - one where there's shared use of the tank, and the tanker empties it every 2 weeks regardless, and all people who use it chip in equally.
The other where someone's tank was on someone else's land. Became very fraught. They don't talk anymore, and solicitors got involved.
Can I ask where it is?
It's a pretty simple operation if you can get access to where you want to put the tank, so don't let it put you off the house overall if you like it.
2 situations near us - one where there's shared use of the tank, and the tanker empties it every 2 weeks regardless, and all people who use it chip in equally.
The other where someone's tank was on someone else's land. Became very fraught. They don't talk anymore, and solicitors got involved.
Can I ask where it is?
The ground is clay, or at least that is what I was told as the reason for the back garden being waterlogged.
The house is in Shropshire if that makes any difference. I have wondered about writing to the other houses to ask if they would be open to joining a formal agreement. However, maybe that would be considered a bit cheeky seeing as we haven't even put an offer in on the house. The other thing that crossed my mind was to go back to the owner and agree a purchase subject to an agreement being in place.
Even with an agreement though, I'm still concerned about the drainage, and if somebody decides not to pay it gets difficult.
I'm thinking I'll listen to my voice of caution and stay away.
The house is in Shropshire if that makes any difference. I have wondered about writing to the other houses to ask if they would be open to joining a formal agreement. However, maybe that would be considered a bit cheeky seeing as we haven't even put an offer in on the house. The other thing that crossed my mind was to go back to the owner and agree a purchase subject to an agreement being in place.
Even with an agreement though, I'm still concerned about the drainage, and if somebody decides not to pay it gets difficult.
I'm thinking I'll listen to my voice of caution and stay away.
I'd have no issue with getting my own done, can budget for that. That would still leave everybody else using the tank under my garden though. I can imagine how popular we'd be with the neighbors if we bought the house, moved in then told them all to make their own arrangements for sewerage because we were ripping out the shared tank
EggsBenedict said:
2 situations near us - one where there's shared use of the tank, and the tanker empties it every 2 weeks regardless, and all people who use it chip in equally.
That's not a septic tank(or at least it's not functioning as one), if it's emptied that often it's really a cesspit.Igurisu said:
I'd have no issue with getting my own done, can budget for that. That would still leave everybody else using the tank under my garden though. I can imagine how popular we'd be with the neighbors if we bought the house, moved in then told them all to make their own arrangements for sewerage because we were ripping out the shared tank
With no formal agreement in place what could they do if you did? 
I'd be very wary with a shared tank for 6 properties particularly if the tank and soak-away was on my land. Twenty years ago I bought a house with a septic tank. The previous owner swore by its benefits as long as you didn't put fat down the drains; claimed he only ever had the tank pumped every 10 years!
Found out very quickly that the soak-away was silted as the sewage backed up. Ended up having to dig a second soak-away and then never had a problem as long as the tank was pumped for solids every two years. (Local t**d burglar company used to compliment me on the quality of my tank)
Over 13 years saved a fortune on sewerage even after adding the second soak-away so I would not be put off by a property without mains drains; just wouldn't consider a shared arrangement.
Found out very quickly that the soak-away was silted as the sewage backed up. Ended up having to dig a second soak-away and then never had a problem as long as the tank was pumped for solids every two years. (Local t**d burglar company used to compliment me on the quality of my tank
)Over 13 years saved a fortune on sewerage even after adding the second soak-away so I would not be put off by a property without mains drains; just wouldn't consider a shared arrangement.
I have a similar setup. The system is on my property and that is shared between five of us. I have actually just had this renewed with a new treatment plant that everyone contributed to obviously. The one plus point of it being on your land is that you are in control to a degree. With an up to date system you are looking at emptying around once a year and a yearly service and that's it.
I wouldn't touch it. I had to replace the soak away for the septic tank at my last house - it was clay soil, so it needed 72m of drainage. There are certain patterns that you are supposed to lay the soak away in, so it takes a lot of room. It's also bloody expensive if you can't do it yourself. If you need to replace the septic tank its even worse - you may not even be able to use a septic tank now. It's bloody expensive, and both the tank and soak away will fail at some point, and will have to be brought up to current regulations.
A shared septic tank, in my garden, would be a complete deal breaker for me. it's going to be painful at some point.
A shared septic tank, in my garden, would be a complete deal breaker for me. it's going to be painful at some point.
I'd walk away from it too.
It's stuff like this that some people live with and it's never a problem, but knowing your luck you'll end up with all the bad sides of this arrangement coming to haunt you during your ownership and it's just not worth it.
Old verbal agreements, possible ones in writing, on deeds. If you do go for it make sure the solicitors cover this off very tightly for you!
Dave
It's stuff like this that some people live with and it's never a problem, but knowing your luck you'll end up with all the bad sides of this arrangement coming to haunt you during your ownership and it's just not worth it.
Old verbal agreements, possible ones in writing, on deeds. If you do go for it make sure the solicitors cover this off very tightly for you!
Dave
Make very sure it is a septic tank, not a cesspool, in case you don't know the difference in a septic tank the solids settle out and there is some 'digestion' and the semi-treated liquid goes off to the soak-away, in a cesspool the system is sealed and what goes in has to be pumped out.
In a worst case scenario, if some neighbours won't chip in towards the emptying or repairs cost, the local authority can get involved, they can serve notice to repair and if necessary arrange for works to be carried out in default and recharge the separate parties.
In a worst case scenario, if some neighbours won't chip in towards the emptying or repairs cost, the local authority can get involved, they can serve notice to repair and if necessary arrange for works to be carried out in default and recharge the separate parties.
We share a Klargester with next door, it's on our land and we share costs. No problems really. Empty it every 9 months or so.
In the village there are 6 houses sharing a septic which had to be repaired, trouble was the bloody contractors dug up our mains supply and we all watched as the outflow from their tank got sucked up our mains pipe -all 3/4 mile of it!!!!!!
In the village there are 6 houses sharing a septic which had to be repaired, trouble was the bloody contractors dug up our mains supply and we all watched as the outflow from their tank got sucked up our mains pipe -all 3/4 mile of it!!!!!!
I had a shared septic tank in my last house, but it was in my neighbour's garden, and she had it emptied every year, and we split the cost. My water bill was £110 a year for a shared unmetered supply, plus £30 as my share of the tank emptying.
In my current house, I have my own septic tank. Been here 4 years, not had it emptied yet. Big tank, small household. This time I have a water meter, and my bill is £4 a month!
Not sure how it works in other areas, but our water company charge significantly more for sewerage than they do for supply.
In my current house, I have my own septic tank. Been here 4 years, not had it emptied yet. Big tank, small household. This time I have a water meter, and my bill is £4 a month!
Not sure how it works in other areas, but our water company charge significantly more for sewerage than they do for supply.
DoubleByte said:
We share a Klargester with next door, it's on our land and we share costs. No problems really. Empty it every 9 months or so.
Slightly O/T but it may be of help to the op.If you need to have your Klargester emptied ever 9 month I'd suggest something is wrong.
We had one installed and were told the 'rules', abided by them and in the 3 years before we move it didn't need emptying.
We were told that when they came to service it they would advise if it needed emptying and every year they said no it's working fine.
To be fair we weren't sharing it so had control over it, if you see what I mean!
Having once owned a house in the courtyside, where we shared a borehole water supply with 15 other houses through a Management company which we were all shareholders and directors of, and was generally well run, with a good legal framework, and a bit of a buffer in the bank to cover issues (We paid in the going rate for water from a normal water company, on the suggestion that once we had enough to cover the replacement of one of the two water treatment plants in full, we could cut back the payments) I'd suggest that anything less professional and well organised would be a real pain.
(We had main sewerage, otherwise I would NOT have bought the place)
(We had main sewerage, otherwise I would NOT have bought the place)
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