Shared v single septic tank

[wanderwally]

Hi we are just purchasing a property and need some advice , the current property is on a shared septic tank with 9 other houses , the seller has offered 8k off the house price if we come off this septic tank and install our own within the next 5 years , the work is not too much of a problem as we have a lot of landscaping work to do , what are the advantages and disadvantages of shared v single tank/ sewerage waste plant , any advice is much appreciated

Well, anything shared is generally a cause of issues in house ownership. Septic tanks can fail and need replacing so if not everyone is willing to pay...

A few things to bear in mind: installing a new modern septic tank can cost upwards of £10k; make sure your solicitor checks that there are written drainage rights for the existing septic tank in the deeds and that if you install a new one, you will also have drainage rights. Also, there are rules now about draining into a watercourse as you need Environment Agency permission.

Interesting that the owner is offering a discount if you come off the shared septic tank - I'd want to do a bit more digging into that.

I dint understand why the seller would offer you thousands to come off the shared septic tank. Is it on separate land he owns and wants to develop?

Thanks for your reply yes sorry I didn’t make it clear , the house we are buying is on an estate that he owns , and the septic tank is in land he is not selling

I don't know but I met someone in a hairdressers before who said her private water supply made her hair funny.

Just why do they want to stop you using the existing septic tank? Is it not coping with modern usage?

Things to think about:
Septic tanks need a quite large drainage field as the semi-treated water from the tank outflow runs into perforated pipes and the treatment continues in the soil. You can't plant trees or large shrubs in this area as the roots can clog the pipes.

Is the garden big enough for this?

Not all water authorities allow new septic tanks - they often insist on an individual sewage treatment plant (klargester or WPL type) or reed beds.... Best to find this out first as obviously there is a cost implication.

Not trying to put you off- we have lived in various houses with septic tanks and now in one with a WPL system. No problems with any of them, but 8k off the asking price might not be enough....

WPL being lowered into position in pic.

We've got a shared tank and for us the huge advantage is that we share the costs with our neighbours for having it emptied! Our lovely neighbour next door organises it and we all just give him a share of the cost. It's great.