Title 5 Inspections in Massachusetts: Your Helpful Guide

If you’re selling or buying a home in Massachusetts, then you might have seen the term “Title V” thrown around. You might even be asking yourself its significance to you, and what effect the status of a Title V inspection has on a home.

What is a Title 5 Inspection?

To put it simply, a Title V inspection is an inspection by the Board of Health of your city that certifies that your septic system is working efficiently and in good order. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that a home buyer isn’t inheriting a broken or hazardous septic system.

Why Do I Need a Title V Inspection?

If you’re selling a home with a septic system in the state of Massachusetts, then you need a Title V certification that applies to the septic system belonging to that home. You might also be asking, “how long is a Title V inspection good for?” The short answer is 2 years.

However, if you provide annual “pumping records” that certify that you’ve undergone routine septic maintenance, the state of Massachusetts will allow you to extend your certification for a third year.

Why do you need an inspection? It forces you to verify that your septic system works, that it’s safe, and that you aren’t dumping a major septic problem onto potential homebuyers.

How to pass a Title 5 Inspection?

A Title V inspection is thorough. It’s a process meant to check every single component of your septic system to ensure the entire system is working as it should and shows no signs of failure. This is what we do:

• Check your cesspool, leach field, distribution box, and tank
• Ensure proper drainage of your tank
• Perform a full-system check as outlined by the state of Massachusetts

Can I Get a Private Inspection?

In most cases, a Title V inspection is a public document meant to show potential buyers that your septic system is in good order. However, if you simply want the inspection performed for personal reasons (i.e., to ensure it’s running efficiently for your peace of mind) then you might be wondering if you can perform an inspection that isn’t publicly recorded.

The answer is yes. It’s possible to perform an inspection for private purposes. However, if you’re attempting to sell your home, then you need a publicly-accessible Title V report no matter what.

Call Us to Inspect & Certify Your Septic System

The great thing about a Title V inspection is that it removes that anxiety-filled “out of sight, out of mind” mentality that many homeowners might have about their septic system. Many of us lack the expertise to understand our systems and we simply rely on them to just work. However, a Title V will tell you if everything’s good, or if routine repairs or maintenance need to be performed.

Just think, while it may sting to pay for costly septic repairs, it sure beats contaminated soil and water, as well as a ruined yard. With septic systems, it always pays to be proactive.

Are you looking for someone that can perform a Title V inspection for your septic system in Western Massachusetts? Look no further. Reach out to us today and let’s get started.