Information on new law that has been introduced regarding septic tank regulations for 2022? - Page 2

Hi Jdownes71,

I know you’ve posted this a couple of months ago but I am very curious about the process you’ve been through with the sceptic tank. 

We are buying a house in Benissa and the seller recently found out about the issue with the sceptic tank. We are willing to split the costs, but we are trying to find out how much the costs will be approximately. We now hear that we won’t know until the architect analyses the property. Did you eventually go with the advice of the architect, or did you find anything cheaper that was also allowed? Many thanks in advance! 

Hi there

At the moment no solution.  Our lawyer is holding some of our sale proceeds and we basically have 12 months to get a compliant tank installed, else lose the money (which is equivalent to the quote the architect gave).  My plan is to use a local builder to do the work.  The specialist companies quoting seem to be exorbitantly expensive.  I think the tanks themselves cost around 4k euros, and I would think a local builder could do the job for 2k or so

Hi all, to be clear, a lot has changed since COVID with new rules becoming legalised.  

ALL properties being sold must now be fit for purpose and so a Habitation Certificate is required to be produced when selling.  We werent issued one when we bought 4 years ago but we are now selling and will require one.  We've been told this wont be an issue as ghe Townhall will supply.

As for septic tanks, I was informed that if the tank was over 30 years old (which would pretty much apply to all) ghen a new one would be required if you are selling only.  Your options are 1) stay where you are; 2) Get a new septic tank or 3) if feesible, go on the mains.  

It cost €8000 to do this which we can now offset when we sell.

Only way I'd be prepared to share the cost of a new tank is having my half deducted from the cost of sale.

Hi DEP003, do you know are there different regulations with regards properties in need of partial or complete renovation?

My understanding is all properties off mains MUST have the upgrade before a seller can close a sale regardless of HC status.

Would appreciate your opinion.

My understanding is just that. If a property is being sold it must conform to the new regulations, either by going on the mains or having to replace their septic tank to meet the new regs.  This is down to the seller to sort out.

I have heard of both parties spliting the cost but my understanding is that this has to be done before completion.

We're selling ours in Moraira if your interested.  We are on mains!!!!

Thansk for that. Kinda cements my own understanding too, which helps.

Naturally,  I'll check with lawyer and architect in due course. Just trying to be as informed as possible.

HI

Did you resolve you septic tank issues?

The original enquiry didn't apply to us because we are now on mains wastage (with all the paperwork and facturas to back it up).  We are actually on the market to sell and given that we had to get a new boiler yesterday (€400 all in) the only thing that we might have to produce, if applicable, is an electrical cert confirming all is OK.  

We are going through this at the moment on a possible purchase. Our lawyer has informed us that all houses  that have septic tanks need the up to date paperwork when they sell. And anybody that installs them needs to be a licensed installer (homólogado) so using a general builder many not be the right thing to do.

I have just purchased a house. 48hrs after moving in the sceptic backed up and flooded the under build. We now realise it is an old tank. Any legal advice greatfully recieved