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Who pays to empty septic tank? Landlord or tenant?

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ProDave
ProDave Posts: 3,721 Forumite
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So we rent our old house.

The septic tank is due to be emptied. Who pays?

The Tenant pays for their water charges (here in Scotland, included with the council tax bill) If the house was on mains sewage, that too would be included with the council tax bill, and so the tenant would pay.

So we think the tenant should pay the bill to have the septic tank pumped out. Right or wrong?
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  • csgohan4
    csgohan4 Posts: 10,587 Forumite
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    or perhaps you should put it as part of the rent at the start to avoid getting the tenant to pay anything extra as it may sour the relationship potentially
    "It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

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  • Slithery
    Slithery Posts: 6,046 Forumite
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    ProDave wrote: »
    So we rent our old house.
    Do you mean you let your old house?

    What does your tenancy agreement have to say on the matter?
  • ProDave
    ProDave Posts: 3,721 Forumite
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    Slithery wrote: »
    Do you mean you let your old house?

    What does your tenancy agreement have to say on the matter?
    Yes we let the old house.

    Not mentioned in the agreement because we did not think about it at the time.
  • ProDave
    ProDave Posts: 3,721 Forumite
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    It is not specifically mentioned in the TIP or the tenancy agreement, as I say we did not think of it and who would be responsible.
  • ThePants999
    ThePants999 Posts: 1,748 Forumite
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    What exactly does the agreement say about other bills?

    If it says the tenant pays all bills, I'd be trying to claim that includes this. If it lists bills, and doesn't include this one, I think it's on you.
  • wesleyad
    wesleyad Posts: 754 Forumite
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    I'd say how often it needs emptied also comes into it (I have no idea how often this is).

    If it's once a year then it seems reasonable that tenant pays, but say it's once every few years then you could end with situation of asking tenant to pay to empty previous tenants waste.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
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    This blog from Safe Deposits Scotland may be helpful:

    http://www.safedepositsscotland.com/blog-admin/2016/02/29/february-adjudication-digest-plumbing-the-depths/
    If a landlord wishes to make the tenant responsible for the cost of emptying the tank at the end of the tenancy, they should ensure that it has been emptied for the start of the tenancy and retain documentary evidence that this is the case. The lease should also make the tenant's obligation in this respect clear.
  • Red-Squirrel_2
    Red-Squirrel_2 Posts: 4,341 Forumite
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    davidmcn wrote: »
    This blog from Safe Deposits Scotland may be helpful:

    http://www.safedepositsscotland.com/blog-admin/2016/02/29/february-adjudication-digest-plumbing-the-depths/

    Looks like its on you OP. I hope your tenants see this!
  • need_an_answer
    need_an_answer Posts: 2,812 Forumite
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    What sort of cost are we talking about to empty it?
    The fact that you didn't consider it when drawing up the tenancy might indicate on this occasion you should pay the bill morally and ensure you document the charges associated with it in any forward tenancy.
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  • ProDave
    ProDave Posts: 3,721 Forumite
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    The cost is about £150 every 2 years, so this is the first time it has needed doing since the tenants have been in (it was our own home before then). They would pay more than that per year if the property was connected to mains drainage.
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