Q8 — Selling a house
Septic inspection requirements when selling a house in Virginia
Virginia does not require a septic inspection for every sale — but if one is negotiated into the deal, a 2025 state law governs exactly how it must be performed.
Is a septic inspection legally required to sell a house in Virginia?
No. Virginia's septic inspection law, effective July 1, 2025, does not require an inspection for every residential sale. An inspection happens only when the buyer, seller, lender, or real estate licensee negotiates it into the transaction.
Who pays for the inspection?
That's negotiated between buyer and seller as part of the purchase agreement, the same way home inspections are typically handled.
Who is qualified to perform the inspection?
Only individuals holding a valid onsite sewage system operator, installer, or soil evaluator license may perform a septic inspection under the 2025 law.
What does the inspection cover, and how long is the report valid?
The inspection covers all readily accessible and openable components — septic tanks, pump tanks, distribution devices, treatment units, control panels, and dispersal fields — and documents deficiencies rather than issuing a pass/fail. The inspector must deliver a written report within 10 business days; the law does not set a separate validity period for how long a report remains usable in a transaction.
What happens if the inspection finds a problem?
The report documents the deficiency, and it's then up to the buyer and seller to negotiate repairs, a price adjustment, or other terms — the inspection itself doesn't fail or approve the sale.