Problems With The Sewer Inspections

Dear Phyllis,
We had our home listed for sale and the buyer
did numerous inspections including a sewer
inspection. The company he hired was unable to
complete the inspection through the entire line
because of tree roots. The buyer wanted us to hire
a company to hydrojet so they could complete their
inspection. This doesn’t seem like an expense that
should be on us. We are at a stalemate, and I was
hoping to get your opinion. Who usually pays for
this??

— Clogged

Dear Clogged,
When a sewer line is too clogged, filled with
roots or otherwise blocked, a standard camera
inspection can’t be done. In these cases, a hydrojet
or rooter is needed first—just to find out what’s
happening inside the line.

At this point, it’s important to understand the
seller’s responsibility. Typically, sellers aren’t
required to pay for hydrojetting. Standard
contracts don’t demand that they prepare the line
for inspection. Instead, their main obligation is to
disclose any known issues.

From the buyer’s point of view, the inability
to inspect the sewer is a red flag. They want a
clear understanding of what they’re purchasing.
Because of that, buyers often ask the seller to pay
for—or at least split—the cost of hydrojetting to
allow the inspection to happen.

It’s simply one more negotiation. In practice,
especially in California, sellers often agree to
cover the cost if it’s the only way to complete
the inspection. It’s seen as a gesture of good
faith. Refusing to do so can raise concerns and
potentially push the buyer away. Sometimes the
cost is shared, other times the buyer or seller pay,
or the buyer pays up front but later asks for the
seller to reimburse them at closing.

Now that the inspection report exists, any
future buyers must be informed if this escrow
cancels. While the seller isn’t obligated to pay for
the hydrojet, doing so—or offering to split it—is
usually the best way to keep moving forward.
Phyllis