New House for Sale without mains drainage?

Sejackson555

Hi,
We are looking to buy a new bungalow for my mum using the proceeds of her house and the small developed is building 14 plots with 4 bungalows. At the viewing today he mentioned that it was not on mains sewage drainage but a treatment plant was used. This seemed ok and I’ll check with the NHBC warranty that it’s included, but I’m just wondering why they haven’t connected to the main sewer system is it a cost cutting excercise, as they are neighbouring 50 new Jones homes and 150 Bloor homes that have recently been built on the green belt, just completed, and I’m sure they will have connection to new sewerage infrastructure during the ground works for such a large development on the edge of town.

Does anyone have any advice on this? They are really nice bungalows and my mum is disabled. We lost my father last week who was the main carter and we can’t afford to make a mistake with this. Should we just walk away?

Any advice really appreciated?

Many thanks
Sarah

davidmcn

Might not be enough capacity in the mains system for more houses. I don't see it as being a problem, will just be another item on the service charge (though a saving on the water bill).

ognum

My home is not connected to mains drainage. We have a septic tank that we have emptied usually yearly though it could go longer.

We pay less water rates and the costs about equal out. You do have to remember not to put bleach etc down the drains but there are plenty of friendly cleaning products.

I wouldn’t reject the property because I feel this.

D_M_E

Maybe tell/ask developer to install a septic tank.

Probably expect high maintenance estate charges to pay for general estate upkeep and the cost of keeping the treatment plant in good working order and cost of energy for the plant.

You need to ask about these and if possible get them written in the contract by your solicitor at a fixed rate if you can.

ethank

Quite often if the site adjoins a developers site, the developers will retain a strip of land called a ransom strip. The developers who have paid for the sewerage infrastructure will charge people (a ransom) for connection to their infrastructure.

G_M

Inprinciple it should not be a problem. I share a septic tank with my neighbour and the shared cost of emptyig it every year (or 3....) is far less than the water company's sewerage charge would be.


But a mini treatment plant for 14 properties might be differet. I would certainly research the type of plant, the maintenance process and costs, and look closely at the legal framework of who manages it and how the costs are shared out.