Landlord Turns up on doorstep requesting £150, where do we stand? (sewerage charges)

Rovver125

If it has to be emptied 3 times a year it maybe a cesspit rather then a septic tank.

Septic tanks and cesspits are still very common, especially in rural areas, a lot of which don't tend to have any mains sewerage.

As above posters have stated, you will be liable for your share of the emptying bill, but as you have said, this should have been explained to you. I would request an invoice if I were you. It maybe an unforeseen expense, but it's still saving you a lot of money, as on a normal water bill including sewerage charges, two thirds of the bill is usually for the sewerage.

It's a common myth that a working septic tank never requires emptying. Even one which works properly should be emptied occasionally to prevent future problems.

Southend1

You poo, you pay.....

:rotfl:

Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

Werdnal

jamie11 wrote: »

I agree, a properly built septic tank with a good 'soakaway' should not have to be emptied every 4 months, I have one in Spain for this house, we have never had a problem with it so far.

Try flushing a dead rabbit down the loo (in bits), that will restart the bacteria working.

Sounds like its a shared tank, so OP will have no control over what chemicals other tenants/owners put down there. Biological washing detergents and bleach are no-nos with a septic tank. I flush any unused cat food down ours to "feed" the good bugs. It does sound excessive having several empties a year, but I'm guessing the system is not working properly or its being abused.

I'm also wondering if the tank is not adequate size for the amount of properties using it, hence the need for frequent empties. If its a courtyard of 5 properties, possibly a coverted barn/farm building complex, where the minimum sized tank has been installed, and cannot cope with the amount of occupants using it. Could even have been initially coverted for holiday use, not year round residential!

Our tank only serves our home, and we have it emptied around every 2-3 years.

As for OP's query, the tenancy cannot specify an actual amount as the cost varies from carrier to carrier and over time due to disposal restrictions, waste carrying licences and fuel involved - hence the "pay applicable amounts" clause.

I would ask for a copy of the bill, and you are entitled to proof of what you are paying for, however, don't be surprised if the LL does not have anything in writing! We used to have our tank emptied by a local farmer, but rules have been tightened and unless the carrier is registered, they cannot do it any more. If you say a "local farmer" turned up to empty it, it is always possible LL is doing a "cash deal" with a mate who is not a legal waste carrier!!!!!

Werdnal

jamie11 wrote: »

I have one in Spain for this house, we have never had a problem with it so far.

Spain also has a lot drier climate than the UK, and rainfall amounts and water table fluctuations can affect how well the soakways function!

notrouble

The contract is clear: if you use the sewer, you need to pay for it.

A cesspit is a pit into which the waste goes, and collects. When it fills up, it needs emptying. They are common in the countryside, but not as common as septic tanks.

A septic tank is a tank into which the waste flows, and which has an overflow. The solids collect in the tank, and the (relatively) clean water flows out the top (often into a 2nd tank to again collect solids). The water then runs off into... a soakaway, or a stream or whereever. The solids left in the tank are then broken down by bacteria and join the liquid flowing out.

So a septic tank, treated properly, should need emptying every few years. If, as suggested, this one is udes by more properties than it was designed for, or if improper waste (eg chemicals that kill the natural bacteria) is put into it, then it will need emptying more often.

ruggedtoast

If its any consolation your water bill should be cheaper.

xylophone

The charge is in your contract. it is just that you did not realise (presumably because you did not know about the tank) that you had to pay it.
The rent specifically excludes sewerage
The clause 3(c) contracts you to pay various charges including sewerage if not included in the rent.

notrouble

xylophone wrote: »

The charge is in your contract. it is just that you did not realise (presumably because you did not know about the tank) that you had to pay it.
The rent specifically excludes sewerage
The clause 3(c) contracts you to pay various charges including sewerage if not included in the rent.

And just to add to that - if there was NOT a septic tank, and your water company had included a charge for sewage, would you be questioning that....? Because that, of course, is the alternative.

MobileSaver

Gothpugs wrote: »

My point is that we weren't aware that we were applicable, nowhere in the contract does it say we are applicable so how were we supposed to know we were?

It's understandable that you are annoyed but I agree with Pasturesnew, the real issue here is that you misunderstood what "applicable" means.

If the contract said something like "unless otherwise stated" then the onus is on the LL to state whether sewerage was a chargeable extra.

However by having "if applicable" which means "if relevant or appropriate" then the onus is on you to determine whether that applies to you or not.

So you will have to pay the charge but as others have said you do have every right to see an invoice and confirm you are only paying your fair share.

h83mKb2eI2

Gothpugs wrote: »

We weren't even aware of the septic tank existing until they came to empty it, how can the landlord just turn up one day, 5 months into our contract wanting £50 on the day, without telling us or making us aware earlier that we are meant to pay £150 a year towards this?

It is not a natural to assume that the property is on a septic tank as 99% of people aren't

it doesn't say anywhere in the contract that the property is on a septic tank

I know it isn't the response you want - but I started a recent thread of questions I asked our LA after receiving our TA. I went through that thing with a fine tooth comb, and questioned everything that I didn't understand, or that I felt was ambiguous.

One of the clauses stated that I must pay, where applicable, for sewerage charges, including cesspit/septic tank charges.

I queried whether the property was reliant on septic tank/cesspit, and it was confirmed it wasn't. Its really important to understand all the costs you may be liable for before moving in.