If you are buying a home with septic, you MUST have it INSPECTED by a septic engineer. The firs t thing they determine as part of the inspection is the capacity; you would have caught the issue right then and there. Septic systems today are highly engineer and cost upwards of $40,000 to replace. It is critical that you also determine its self life, how many more years it has before it will need replacement and if it’s been well maintained (cleaned out regularly). In NJ many towns are now stepping in and want to know prior to transfer of title that the septic passed inspection, also if the tank needs to be pumped out a permit is required from the Board of Health.
The next question: was there a seller’s disclosure filled out and provided to you? If so, the seller would have had an opportunity to answer those questions. I have attached a link to NJ Association of Realtor standard form. Look at page two , line 101. Martha McDonnell
http://www.Summit-NJ.com - Tue Apr 29 2008, 05:31