Who is typically responsible for a septic inspection regarding a home purchase?
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Who is typically responsible for a septic inspection regarding a home purchase?
We currently have a signed contract contingent on the findings of certain inspections which recently included the septic. It’s always worked fine but the FHA states that for their loan to be approved the septic must be inspected. Who does this, the buyer or the seller?
Asked on June 3, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Kentucky
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The buyer is typically responsible for any and all home inspections and appraisals connected with the purchase of a home. This would include the traditional or common general home inspection, which looks for conditions which may provide a basis for a price reduction or, if serious enough, allow the buyer out of the contract; it would also include the septic inspection described in your question. Nothing, however, stops the buyer from asking the seller to pay for it (though the buyer should still be the one who contracts with the inspector, so as to be able to more fully rely on the report) and/or to provide a credit or reimbursement for some or all of the cost. Whether the parties agree to this is up to them, and will part of the overall price, etc. negotiation.
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