Soakaway Blockage

NewPurchaseNightmare

Hi

This post is about old septic tanks and the rights of anyone inheriting a serious issue with one. I am based in Scotland. Apologies if this is long winded, I’m attempting cover as much detail as concisely as possible.

Last month I moved to a new property in a rural area. I was aware it had a septic tank but despite requests as to its location throughout the sale process I wasn't informed until less than 24 hours before the sale. It’s located just outside the boundary of my property at the bottom of the garden.

I moved in on a Friday and once I had a myriad of problems arose that were all vaguely covered by the Home Report; roof was reported as a 2, a few cracked tiles, slate roof needs upkeep didn’t prepare me for quotes of 7000-10,000 to fix major issues with roof where the walls stream with water whenever there is any rain, etc. Many of the appliances turned on but didn’t actually work. There is an infestation of mice and rats as the previous owner improperly stored animal feed in a small area outside that isn’t easily accessible and I wasn’t aware of.

My solicitor was unavailable during my 5 days to report problems due to a terrible unforeseen incident and once I did speak to them they brushed off my concerns.

I am a single parent and because of the all issues I didn't move in until 3 weeks later when I was unable to find anywhere else to stay.

Within 3 days I felt like there was an issue with the septic tank. I wasn’t able to see it properly but by day 5 I could see an opening was spewing out waste. I had a company come to empty it and they informed me it was in very poor repair. Hadn’t been emptied in years and was not operating as it should, broken pipes and utterly clogged. The soak away is absolutely sodden and anyone walking on it sinks down. It’s a very old tank and the soak away distributes into a small water way.

In my mind there is a clear environmental hazard. I’ve been advised to move the soak away but due to the landscape it there is no suitable place close by. 

I haven’t checked but I imagine the tank is not registered with SEPA and due to new regulations any new tanks/soakaway would not be permitted in the current location. 

My solicitor is on leave and no one is available to give me advice. I have put everything I have into this place and I needed to move in order to get childcare. But I’m lead to believe that uncovering all these issues has significantly devalued the property. I don’t have any more funds to move the tank and soakaway to a new location.

Has anyone in Scotland had a similar issue and if so what was the outcome?

Thanks in advance