FHA - septic tank access

[NJAPRAZE]

Hi all. Been trying to get thru to FHA hotline... without success; sent them an email request a few days ago, & haven't recv'd any response.

Looking for your input/help!

Appraising a property with a septic tank that I could not view; owner is stating that it is 10-15 ft away from house and when he showed me the location on the site... when I inquired as to where the access was (as there was no mound, impression, above-ground access, etc. to otherwise indicate that the septic was below).

 

[glenn walker]

Hi all. Been trying to get thru to FHA hotline... without success; sent them an email request a few days ago, & haven't recv'd any response.

Looking for your input/help!

Appraising a property with a septic tank that I could not view; owner is stating that it is 10-15 ft away from house and when he showed me the location on the site... when I inquired as to where the access was (as there was no mound, impression, above-ground access, etc. to otherwise indicate that the septic was below).

Thats common out here-often the riser has been buried below dirt --as long as you didn't see any seepage or heavy green vegetation or green weeds around it your fine. In order to access some the contractor has to dig down below ground. personally I woudl move on and be done otherwise you will have to recomend a Septci Tank certification where a contractor goes out inspects it and certifies its in good working order and will measure distance from the house Did The Toilets all flush OK ?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Appraising a property with a septic tank that I could not view; owner is stating that it is 10-15 ft away from house and when he showed me the location on the site... when I inquired as to where the access was (as there was no mound, impression, above-ground access, etc. to otherwise indicate that the septic was below).

What are you going to inspect that is visible? I've only seen a few septic tanks that you could see where they were. I am more interested in where the lateral lines run and if they show signs of surfacing.... and "access" to a concrete tank here is a large square concrete plug that is flush with the tank and only by removing the dirt over the tank would you access it and certainly I ain't pulling the plug on it. That's when I call Rothschild's Sewer Sucking Service....

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

That's when I call Rothschild's Sewer Sucking Service....

And move 100 yards upwind.

 

[andrew81]

The FHA guidelines are:
- Require well water testing when the distance between the well and septic system is less than 100 feet.
- Existing construction wells must be 50 ft or greater from the septic tank.
- Existing construction wells must be 100 ft or greater from the drain field.
- Existing construction septic tank drain field reduced to 75 feet if allowed by local authority.
- If the Property has a septic system, the Appraiser must visually observe 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.
- 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.

 

[Rlong]

As confirmed at an FHA Training (By FHA reviewer/investigator") and quoted above, the key sentance is "The Appraiser is not required to sketch or note distances between the well, property lines, septic tanks, drain fields, or building Structures" Just because there is a lid you don't know which way thhe leach feild is installed; I make NO proactive statement to distances, but if the lender "requires them" they can get an ILC etc. I tell them I don't have xray vision. I do note however if I see a well permit attached to MLS or I'm shown it, that at the time of the installation it would have been required to comply with similar standards (in my counties, since the 1970's or so).

 

[RSW]

I have contacted the local health departments & they emailed me the septic tank permit showing its location & BR approval.

 

[Carlos Danger]

A head and shoulders inspection of the tank is required.

 

[Sadie]

Hi all. Been trying to get thru to FHA hotline... without success; sent them an email request a few days ago, & haven't recv'd any response.

Looking for your input/help!

Appraising a property with a septic tank that I could not view; owner is stating that it is 10-15 ft away from house and when he showed me the location on the site... when I inquired as to where the access was (as there was no mound, impression, above-ground access, etc. to otherwise indicate that the septic was below).

The jurisdiction that approved the septic system should have a copy of the plans and location of the septic system.

 

[Overimprovement]

The FHA guidelines are:
- If the Property has a septic system, the Appraiser must visually observe 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.

Just to be clear, this refers to the leach field, as obviously the tank itself will never be directly observable, and if it is, well then we have some other problems, eh? As stated, sometimes even the access to the tank is not visible.
If there is grass in the area, always look for the greenest grass, will normally be down-gradient from the tank and fairly close by it. One should 'normally' see a few horizontal rows of greener grass where the leach field is. If another system is in place, parts of that may be visible. If the soil doesn't perc, you may see these other types, usually very expensive, like a mound system.