How Drainage Issues Are Delaying Mortgage Approvals
n today’s property market, a septic tank could delay your mortgage.
Mortgage lenders are now taking private drainage compliance seriously — and non-compliant systems are becoming a key reason property purchases are stalled or even cancelled. If a drainage issue is flagged in a survey or legal check, it can slow the entire process or derail it completely.
🏦 Why Lenders Care About Drainage
Since 2020, UK law has tightened around how septic tanks and treatment systems discharge waste. Under General Binding Rules from the Environment Agency (EA):
Septic tanks must not discharge into surface water like rivers or streams
Systems must be structurally sound and correctly sized
They must be maintained and upgraded to meet BS EN12566 standards
💬 “Lenders don’t want to finance a property that brings environmental risk or future legal liabilities.”
🧾 What Causes Mortgage Delays?
Non-compliant septic tanks or soakaways
No clear maintenance records or system age
Discharge to a ditch or watercourse
No legal documentation about permits or exemptions
Surveyors flag the system as defective or unverified
Buyers are then left with:
Demands to upgrade or replace systems
Re-negotiation of sale price
Additional lender checks or rejected applications
🛠️ Our Role in Avoiding Delays
We help buyers, sellers, and solicitors by providing:
Mortgage-friendly compliance inspections
Written reports to satisfy survey and lender concerns
System upgrades or replacements where needed
Fast-track callouts for tight completion timelines
Clear documentation for legal packs
🏠 Don’t Let a Septic Tank Block Your Buyer’s Mortgage
If you’re in a chain, managing a rural property sale, or advising a client, check drainage compliance before the lender does.
📞 +44 7746 735270
📧 hello@drainandtanksolutionssw.com
Drain and Tank Solutions SW – Trusted by buyers, sellers, and solicitors to keep mortgages and sales moving across Devon and Cornwall.
