Buying a Rhode Island home with a septic system or cesspool
If the house you want is not on town sewer, the system in the yard is part of the deal. It is worth knowing what is there before you sign.
Septic system or cesspool?
A septic system has a tank and a leach field. A cesspool is a pit that lets raw waste soak into the ground. Rhode Island's Cesspool Act requires cesspools to be replaced, and a sale is one of the events that sets the clock. source Ask the seller which one the house has.
Records to request
- Any permits for the system on file with RIDEM
- Pumping receipts
- Repair records
- A sketch showing where the tank and field sit
RIDEM's onsite wastewater records are a good place to start if the seller has nothing.
Get an inspection
Hire an inspector to look at the system before closing. A useful inspection opens the tank, checks the baffles, measures the sludge and looks at the field for wet spots. Ask for a written report with photos.
If it needs work
A failed system or a cesspool can be a big cost. Common choices:
- Ask the seller to replace it before closing.
- Ask for a price credit based on a written quote.
- Hold money in escrow until the work is done.
Your agent or lawyer can tell you what fits your deal.
Near water
Lots close to the shore, a pond or a drinking-water supply may face tighter rules. Replacement there can need a specially designed system, which takes longer.
After you move in
Plan to have the tank pumped on a schedule, and keep the receipts in one folder.