Selling or buying a home with a septic system in Washtenaw County? One rule can make or break your timeline: the county’s Time of Sale inspection. You want a smooth closing and no surprise repairs. This guide gives you the essentials on inspections, maintenance, costs, and timing so you can plan with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Washtenaw Time of Sale basics

Washtenaw County requires a well and septic inspection before a property transfer. You must hire a county‑certified Time of Sale inspector, who submits the report to the County for authorization. Approvals are typically valid for 12 months, and the County recommends completing the inspection before you list to prevent delays. Review current forms, inspector lists, and rules on the County’s Time of Sale page at the Washtenaw County Environmental Health site: Time of Sale Program.

After your inspector submits the report, the County issues either an authorization letter or a notice of required corrections. If repairs are needed, you will work with a contractor and the County to address them. In some cases, the County allows escrow if work cannot be finished before closing. Start early because remediation and permitting can add weeks.

What inspectors check

A standard septic inspection reviews available records, locates and opens the tank, measures scum and sludge levels, and checks baffles or tees and filters if present. Inspectors evaluate pumps, alarms, and controls on advanced systems, then assess the drainfield for odors, standing water, or surfacing effluent. The U.S. EPA outlines the core steps and components in its homeowner guidance on septic systems: EPA septic basics and FAQs.

For some properties, the County may require a recent pump‑out or a pumper’s report so the tank can be properly inspected. Your inspector will advise if pumping is needed to complete the Time of Sale reporting. Plan for access to tank lids and risers to keep the visit efficient.

Maintenance you should plan

The EPA suggests you inspect your system every 1 to 3 years and pump the tank every 3 to 5 years. Frequency depends on tank size, household size, water use, and whether you use a garbage disposal. See the EPA’s summary of septic care in the EPA septic FAQs.

Use this quick maintenance checklist:

• Keep records: save permits, pump receipts, inspection reports, and repair invoices. Buyers will ask for them.
• Protect the drainfield: do not park or build over it; keep roots and stormwater away.
• Manage water use: fix leaks fast and stagger laundry or dishwasher loads.
• Watch what you flush: avoid wipes, grease, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The EPA’s SepticSmart page lists what to keep out of your system.
• Maintain filters and risers: clean effluent filters per manufacturer or contractor guidance, and consider risers for easier access.
• Advanced systems: some aerobic or proprietary units require operating permits and routine sampling. Washtenaw outlines these requirements under Operating Permits for Onsite Sewage Systems.

Know the warning signs of trouble: slow drains, gurgling, sewage odors, soggy areas near the drainfield, or backups. If you notice these, call a septic professional quickly. Early fixes cost less than full replacements.

Costs and timing

Inspection pricing varies by scope and access. A full pre‑sale inspection typically runs from the low hundreds to several hundred dollars. For County forms, submittal details, and program fees, use the Washtenaw Time of Sale page.

Pumping often costs about 250 to 600 dollars, depending on tank size and site access. See consumer cost ranges summarized here: septic pumping cost overview. Minor fixes may be in the hundreds to low thousands, while drainfield replacements can reach into the tens of thousands. The EPA explains why routine care saves money in Why maintain your septic system.

If your TOS report flags issues, the County will require corrections before issuing authorization, or it may allow escrow in certain situations. Because approvals last about a year, order the inspection before listing to leave time for bids, permits, and repairs. This approach protects your closing date and your net.

Buyer and seller checklists

Seller checklist

• Schedule a County‑certified TOS inspection early and confirm authorization timing.
• Gather records: permits, pumping receipts, past inspections, and repair invoices.
• Budget for pumping if needed to complete the inspection.
• If repairs are required, obtain bids and coordinate with the County; ask your title company about escrow if work cannot finish before closing.
• Track your 12‑month approval window so it does not expire mid‑transaction.

Buyer checklist

• Request the latest TOS report and pump records during due diligence.
• If the report is older or you want added assurance, consider an updated septic inspection.
• Confirm whether the system is conventional or an advanced unit with an operating permit and sampling.
• Walk the site for warning signs like odors or soggy ground near the field.
• Plan for ongoing maintenance: inspect every 1 to 3 years, pump every 3 to 5 years.

Keep your sale on track

Septic does not need to be a headache. With an early TOS inspection, clean records, and a realistic budget for pumping or minor fixes, you can move to closing with confidence. If you are planning to buy or sell in Washtenaw County, reach out to Surline Real Estate for a clear plan and data‑driven guidance tailored to your timeline.

FAQs

What is Washtenaw’s Time of Sale septic rule?

• Washtenaw County requires a pre‑transfer inspection of well and septic by a County‑certified inspector, with County authorization issued before deed transfer, as outlined on the Time of Sale Program page.

How long is a Washtenaw TOS approval valid?

• Authorizations are typically valid for 12 months, and the County recommends completing the inspection before listing to avoid delays, per the Time of Sale Program.

How often should I pump my septic tank?

• The EPA recommends inspecting every 1 to 3 years and pumping every 3 to 5 years, adjusted for tank size, household size, and water use; see the EPA septic FAQs.

What does a septic inspection include in Washtenaw?

• Inspectors open the tank, check sludge and scum levels, inspect baffles and filters, review pumps and alarms on advanced systems, and assess the drainfield; details match general EPA septic basics and County TOS reporting.

What if repairs are needed before closing in Washtenaw?

• The County lists required corrections after the report; sellers typically complete repairs for authorization, and escrow may be allowed when work cannot finish pre‑closing; see the Time of Sale Program.

Are statewide septic rules changing in Michigan?

• Legislation has been proposed to create a statewide onsite wastewater code, including periodic inspections, but local rules like Washtenaw’s TOS remain in effect until any new law takes effect; see the Michigan Senate bill analysis summary.