Septic Tank Surveys · Kent
Septic Tank & Drainage Surveys in Kent
We put Kent buyers, sellers and homeowners in touch with an independent local specialist, covering Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Tonbridge and the surrounding rural villages. It costs you nothing, and there's no obligation to proceed. Tell us your postcode and what's going on, and we'll point you to someone who can help.
What Kent homeowners should know
Kent's ground varies sharply across the county. The chalk of the North Downs drains quickly, which means effluent can reach groundwater faster than on slower-draining ground — while the heavy clay of the Weald drains slowly and can waterlog a drainage field. Both affect how a system should be assessed, and a specialist will take this into account.
Kent's chalk aquifer supplies around three-quarters of the county's drinking water, which is why parts of it are designated groundwater Source Protection Zones with tighter rules — a permit can be needed for a septic tank in Source Protection Zone 1 specifically. A specialist will know whether your property falls within one.
The Kent Downs and High Weald National Landscapes cover large parts of the county, where work on a system can mean extra planning or environmental checks alongside the usual drainage rules.
Oast houses, barns and old farmhouses are common across Kent, and their septic tanks are often older and undocumented. A survey is usually the quickest way to find out what's actually in place.
What a survey covers
A septic tank survey typically includes locating the tank, checking its condition and capacity, confirming where it discharges to, and assessing whether the system meets the General Binding Rules. A thorough survey will also look at access for emptying and maintenance, and whether the system is reasonably sized for the property. You'll get a written report you can pass to solicitors or buyers.
When you need one
Here's when people usually get in touch:
- Buying a property with a septic tank, cesspit or treatment plant
- Selling one, and need to tell the buyer what you have
- Told by a surveyor, buyer or neighbour that your system may not comply
- Inherited a system and don't know its history
Typical cost
Costs vary by specialist, the size of the system and how easy it is to reach. You'll get a clear quote before any work starts.
Kent questions
Does the tank need emptying before the survey? + −
Often, yes. Many specialists need the tank empty to inspect it properly, and some can arrange emptying as part of the visit for an extra cost. If you know roughly how full it is, mention this when you get in touch.
What do I tell a buyer? + −
By law you need to tell a buyer in writing what the system is, where it is, and how it's maintained. A survey gives you something concrete to base that on, and who pays for any upgrade is then something you and the buyer agree between you.
Do I need a permit for a septic tank in Kent? + −
Usually not, but a permit can be needed in some cases — for example inside a groundwater Source Protection Zone 1, which covers parts of the chalk Downs where drinking water is drawn from underground. A survey will tell you whether your property falls into one of these zones.
My property is an oast house or old farmhouse — does that matter for a survey? + −
It often means the system is older and less well documented, which is common across Kent's converted oast houses and farmhouses. A survey establishes what's actually there now, rather than relying on guesswork or old paperwork.
How it works
- Tell us your postcode and what you need — a survey, a repair, or just advice.
- We match you with one independent specialist who covers your area, not a list of several chasing you for the work.
- You deal with them directly from there to arrange and pay for the work.
How we choose specialists
We introduce you to an independent specialist operating in your area who covers the type of work you need. You're under no obligation to use them, and it costs you nothing. See how we make money.