Location of cesspool - FHA inspector please

[superfly]

Hi,

Great forum. I am about to go to contract on a house built in 1931 (before local codes went into affect). It's been nicely updated and well maintained. It's on a small lot, typical of the neighborhood (beach cottages). It's on a hill and water table has not been an issue.

I have gotten conflicting information on FHA "dealbreakers" and one in particular speaks to the location of the cesspool. We have public water, but a private cesspool. So, there is no well on the property, only a cesspool.

All the info I've been able to get from the guidlines speaks to the location of the cesspool in relation to a well, but not specifically to property line. I've had one person (not an inspector, just a real estate agent) tell me to make sure that the cesspool is at least 25 feet from any property line. It is actually about 10-15 feet from the street... and about 25-30 feet from the neighbor's property.

Engineer's report tested the cesspool and it functioned fine under stress test.

I would go into contract this week and then of course my broker would order the FHA appraisal/Inspection. Would rather not bother putting money in Escrow if the location of the cesspool would make this house ineligible.

thanks.

 

[Mike Boyd]

When you write "cesspool," I am assuming you mean a septic system. Cesspools are not allowed by FHA. With septic systems you must be concerned about the location of the leach field.

But, let's clear up the cesspool and septic system issue first.

 

[superfly]

it's a cesspool, with overflow. This is the first I've heard of cesspools being disallowed by FHA, since most homes in my county have them.

here's what I found on the FHA website:

2. If the property cannot be connected to a public system, FHA will accept individual sewage systems that are acceptable to the local health authorities. This includes numerous types of sewage systems including cesspools, individual pit privies, and mound systems.

So, since the local health authority allows cesspools by code, I'd assume we'd be OK. maybe it's different in California by you?

 

[Rrebera]

If the property cannot be connected to a public system, FHA will accept individual sewage systems that are acceptable to the local health authorities. This includes numerous types of sewage systems including cesspools, individual pit privies, and mound systems.

 

[Kevin Little]

The cesspit must be 10 feet from the property line, but there seems to be no distance requirement from the house foundation itself (if anyone knows different, please enlighten, as this seems unusual considering the other very strict requirements of FHA).

If no copy of survey is available to the appraiser, then you many times have no idea or clue where the cesspit, septic tank, or leech field are located.

sometimes it's just an extraordinary assumption that these mechanicals meet local health & safety requirments, as digging up the homeowner's lawn is just too much work.

 

[Lobo Fan]

It must be located 120 feet from any well but I am not aware of any distance requirement from the house. Cesspools are illegal almost everywhere so it must at least be a code approved septic system. Most local codes meet or exceed FHA standards.