FHA Question On Septic System

[Thomas Fiehler]

I haven't found it, but client says there is an FHA requirement for appraiser to state the distance the septic system is from the house and from the property line. And no, there is no well as the subject has public water. Anybody know if such a requirement exists and where is it written ? Thanks in advance.

 

[Riick]

There are distance requirements *if* there is a well on the property -- has to do with contamination of water source.

"For existing properties, FHA requires that a domestic well be located a minimum of 100 feet from the septic tank’s drain field and a minimum of 10 feet from any property line. Should state or local regulations require greater distances, those distances must be met."

SO -- Public water - no distance requirements

 

[Thomas Fiehler]

that is my interpretation. Since there is no well there "requirement" is just another made-up requirement.

 

[glenn walker]

I believe this is on page 503 or 524 in the 4000.1 Handbook Under Plumbing : If the Property has a septic system, the Appraiser must examine it for any signs of failure or surface evidence of malfunction. If there are readily observable deficiencies, the Appraiser must require repair or further inspection. I believe they eliminated the distance except on new construction or well water. No matter what it can be difficult sometimes even for a contractor to locate a septic tank so if push comes to shove tell the lender they can order a septic certification from a licensed contractor who can estimate the distance from the dwelling.

 

[GA Benny]

It is not necessarily "made up" as much as no longer required. Once upon a time, there were distance requirements for the septic system such as the tank could not be less than 10 feet from the foundation, etc. That went away along with the old VC sheets. Raise your hand if you remember those!

 

[RSW]

Handbook 4000.1: Page 494


The Appraiser must also be familiar with the minimum distance requirements

between private wells and sources of pollution and, if discernible, comment on

them. The Appraiser is not required to sketch or note distances between the well,

property lines, septic tanks, drain fields, or building Structures but may provide estimated distances where they are comfortable doing so. When available, the

Appraiser should obtain from the homeowner or Mortgagee a copy of a survey or

other documents attesting to the separation distances between the well and septic

system or other sources of pollution.

Page 161:

Individual Water Supply System for Minimum Property

Requirements for Existing Construction*

1 Property line/10 feet

2 Septic tank/50 feet

3 Drain field/100 feet

4 Septic tank drain field reduced to 75 feet if allowed by local authority

5 If the subject Property line is adjacent to residential Property then local

well distance requirements prevail. If the subject Property is adjacent to

non-residential Property or roadway, there needs to be a separation

distance of at least 10 feet from the property line.

* distance requirements of local authority prevail if greater than stated above

 

[Dublin ohio]

That went away along with the old VC sheets. Raise your hand if you remember those!

Still have a copy that I scanned years ago and put on a cd. Always thought it made FHA work easier. No need to interpret handbook. Was spelled out in black and white.

 

[Thomas Fiehler]

Per HOC, if only a septic system (public water), there is NO distance requirement. If there is a well and septic, then the 100' distance and well to be at least 10' from property line will apply. BUT, only if the appraiser is comfortable in finding and stating that. If not, call for a survey.

 

[RSW]

That is consistent with what I posted from the 4000.1 above.

 

[Flakey]

"No readily observable septic or well defects were noted at the time of inspection. However, I am not qualified to determine well, septic and property line distances. No copy of surveys or other inspections were available.

There is no standardized well/septic report and its contents would typically be determined by what is requested. If the client determines that there is a need to confirm distances between well and septic systems, or lot lines, then the client should specifically request that a qualified third party measure such distances."