So last night, during a conversation with my wife, she begins to ask me questions as to whether a home is connected to the city sewer or on a septic is disclosed to a home buyer. My initial response was, "Yes"! It is disclosed. However an agent representing the buyer must also due their own due diligence to confirm what has been disclosed is accurate.
Within 7 days of opening escrow/accepting an offer the seller must provide in writing to buyer disclosures that are relevant to the condition of property. In these disclosures, assuming the sale is a standard sale, the Transfer Disclosure Statement, Section A (TDS) as well as the Seller Property Questionnaire Section C, #3 (SPQ) specifically ask if a septic tank is in use or present. What I told my wife was this. Either the seller failed to disclose the fact that the property had a septic or the agent representing the buyer failed to point it out upon having the buyer sign the disclosures. Either way, my wife tells me that the agent that represented the buyer is paying for the cleaning of the septic tank on behalf of their client. Escrow has since closed and therefore it appears the agent feels this was an oversight on their part.
Be sure to always look at the streets/sidewalks of a neighborhood where you are thinking of purchasing a home. Tell tell signs that the property is connected to the city sewer are manhole covers in the middle of the street as well as drains along the sidewalk. And if you are still not sure, you can call the local city department and ask if the subject property has service with them.
Cheers,
-O
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