Do you charge extra rent when on septic and private well?

Question

About to buy a house on septic and well. My other houses are all on city/county water and sewer systems. So I'm wondering, since I'm footing the bill for the well and septic pumping, shouldn't I be able to charge extra rent to cover those expenses?

I figure list the rent as X and note that there is a $150 surcharge for septic and well water since it's paid for by the landlord...it's not free utilities...

Matthew Paul · Answer

All my properties are on septic , I pump them once a year and bill the tenant . they knew when they signed the lease . ( no different than them paying a sewer bill) Nothing for the water .

Main thing for a septic system , NO GREASE , NO WHITE TAILED MICE , NO GARBAGE DISPOSAL . no fabric softener (dryer sheets) , and use liquid laundry detergent .

I have systems over 30 years old , no problems .

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

I hear ya.. and of course most any property that is rural is well and septic.. my thoughts are though that if someone is an absentee out of area landlord  that really does not know much about these systems.. and everything being equal city utls are safer.

Matthew Paul · Answer

@Clifford Paul We set a record for rainfall here in Maryland this year . Over 70 inches .  Not 1 problem with septic drainfields .  But we have sandy soil , clay starts at about 12 feet .  I do have 1 advantage over most , I use to work with a friend doing septics 25 years ago , AND I have my own backhoe .

Clifford Paul · Answer

A couple things to consider about septic tank systems and rentals.

Most renters are not going to know the issues with a septic system.

1. Must use septic system approved toilet paper.

2. During heavy rainfall you can't wash clothes or run dishwasher.

3. No matter how well installed, septic systems during heavy rainfall may backup due to ground saturation.

I have one rental on a septic system but fortunately my tenants are country folk and know the issues.

Matthew Paul · Answer

@Jay Hinrichs  That just goes to show the new comers that there is a whole lot more to being a landlord / investor  than meets the eye .

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

OH believe me I get it.. having sold ranch land in N CA to start my career and then being a logger in the Northwest and busting many a large track into homesites which all required well and septic..

my point is with so many rentals to buy in the US.. those type of situations just taken on some added risk if your not from there and have knowledge of how the systems work and keep them running.

Colleen F. · Answer

No, you don't,  they aren't  considered amenities.   People can be scared off by the water quality or just the unfamiliarity of septic. Some of the septic warnings listed above are just not accurate everywhere.   I have lived in 5 houses with septic in different states and never had a problem doing laundry or using a dishwasher when it rains.  Toilet paper is fine however they cannot put wet ones, tampax down the drain.

In the end if it is common in the area you will have fewer problems renting then if it is unusual and you should educate yourself, know what kind of septic it is.  Try www.privatewellclass.org for well and I think they have a little septic info. Make sure you mention it on the tour because well water is a plus or a minus for some people

Matthew Paul · Answer

@Jay Hinrichs We were rural , Anne Arundel county now isnt .  My properties are 20 minutes to annapolis , 35 to Balto and 1 hour to dc .  If they can build on it they are . Yes Public utilities are prefered , but some of the most expensive communities are well and septic . There is no rhyme  or reason

Matthew Paul · Answer

@Jay Hinrichs  Its actually a Deere 310B.  My county is a crap shoot , some communities are well/septic some are city water / septic , some are well / sewer  and some are city water / sewage .   I dont get picky , if its a deal I go for it .

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

unless you have Matthew experience I personally would not buy rentals on private systems.. when there are so many rentals that have city services.. when septics or wells go bad.. its major bucks and it can be unless.  As Mr. Paul mentioned he has his own Case 580 and actually knows how to run it..

and really depends in jurisdiction as well.. some of these health departments are pretty tough.. they can condemn and make people move ..

Do you charge extra rent when on septic and private well?

Most Popular Reply