# Who Pays for Septic Inspection at Sale? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Massachusetts Title 5 puts the owner/operator in charge of arranging the pre-sale septic inspection by default.

**Who pays:** owner

Massachusetts law makes the property owner/operator responsible for arranging the mandatory pre-sale septic inspection by default, though buyer and seller can reassign this in writing.

**Boundary:** Massachusetts Title 5 (310 CMR 15.000) requires a septic inspection within 2 years before (or 6 months after) a sale; the property owner/operator is responsible for arranging it by default, though buyer and seller may reassign that responsibility in writing before title transfers.

**Exceptions:** If weather prevents inspection at the time of sale, it must occur within 6 months afterward.

## Sources
- [Buying or Selling Property with a Septic System](https://www.mass.gov/guides/buying-or-selling-property-with-a-septic-system) — "The property owner or operator is responsible for arranging the inspection. The buyer and seller may change the responsibility for arranging the inspection prior to title transfer, provided that this change is put in writing..." (accessed 2026-09-29)
- [Buying or Selling Property with a Septic System](https://www.mass.gov/guides/buying-or-selling-property-with-a-septic-system) — "Within 2 years before a sale. If weather conditions prevent inspection at the time of a sale, the inspection must take place within 6 months afterward." (accessed 2026-09-29)

_Last verified 2026-09-29. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/septic-inspection-at-sale-who-pays/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._