Susan Mogren

You are not alone.

What you need to know if your house was built before 1978. 

 The local fire department will issue a certificate to prove compliance.  

This is the sellers expense.  

Call early to make an appointment, lead times varies one to two weeks, 

usually $50 each visit. 

Forward the ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE DOCUMENT to your attorney, 

14 days  before close.   

Approximately 1/3 of all homes in Massachusetts are private septic systems.  Instead of paying the town for monthly sewer charges, you maintain a working system at your expense.  You pay either way. 

The seller is responsible for testing and showing compliance to Massachusetts Title V regulations, to insure it is in working order, and ready to transfer property to the next owner.