Is a landlord responsible for emptying a septic tank?

The septic tank system is a procedure in which sewage and wastewater are discharged from the house and into a tank where the waste is broken down by bacteria in the tank in septic system. This cleans the water, allowing it to be safely discharged into a drainage area.

A typical septic tank is a large underground container, often capable of holding several thousand litres of wastewater. Most commonly, these tanks are cylindrical, about two metres long, and come with two concrete lids equipped with lifting wires, stretching over much of the tank’s length. The tank connects directly to your home’s main plumbing line, so all wastewater—from sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs—flows into the tank through this route.

Once inside the tank, the wastewater separates into three distinct layers:

• Sludge: The solid waste sinks to the bottom.
• Water: The middle layer consists primarily of liquid.
• Scum: Fats and oils float to the top.

Bacteria present in the tank work continuously, breaking down the sludge into liquid form. Near the top of the tank, there’s an outlet pipe that leads to a section of the yard known as the drain field. When the liquid in the tank reaches the level of this pipe, it flows out into the drain field, where it’s further filtered through the soil. This natural filtration process helps prevent groundwater contamination and keeps your property’s environment healthy.

A typical septic tank is a large underground container, often holding thousands of litres, and is usually made of concrete or fiberglass. It’s connected to the house by the main plumbing line, so all waste water from sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs flows into the tank. Once inside, the waste water naturally separates into three layers: solids (sludge) settle at the bottom, fats and oils (scum) float to the top, and the relatively clear water remains in the middle.

The bacteria living in the tank get to work breaking down the solids, turning much of it into liquid. Near the top of the tank, there’s an outlet pipe that leads to the drain field—the section of your yard specially designed to filter and absorb the water. When the water level in the tank rises to this outlet, it flows out into the drain field where the soil provides natural filtration, helping to keep groundwater clean and safe.

This entire process is designed to manage household waste efficiently and with minimal environmental impact, but it does require some ongoing attention to keep everything running smoothly.

There is, however, a little quantity of sludge left over, which will gradually fill up the tank over time. This implies that the tank must be emptied on a regular basis to ensure that the system functions correctly.

If you are renting the property, it is critical that you understand who is responsible for the septic tank’s emptying and upkeep in order to avoid difficulties.

What Are the Main Parts of a Septic Tank System?

To keep things running smoothly beneath the surface, it helps to know what’s actually hiding in your backyard. A typical septic tank system consists of a few key components working together behind the scenes:

• Septic Tank: This is the heart (or perhaps the stomach) of the system—a large, usually concrete tank buried underground. All wastewater from your home (think: showers, sinks, toilets) funnels into this chamber.
• Inlet Pipe: The main line from the house that channels everything you flush or drain straight into the tank.
• Chambers and Baffles: Inside the tank, waste naturally separates into three layers: heavy solids settle at the bottom as sludge, oils and grease float to the top as scum, and the somewhat clarified water sits in between.
• Outlet Pipe: This pipe is positioned near the upper middle of the tank. Once the water has been partially treated, it flows out through this pipe to the next stage.
• Drain Field (Leach Field): The treated water exits the tank and moves into the drain field—a series of perforated pipes buried in gravel and soil. Here, the wastewater is slowly filtered by bacteria in the soil, which helps purify it before it rejoins the groundwater.

Understanding these main parts can go a long way in helping you appreciate what’s beneath the grass and why proper maintenance is so critical.

Responsibility for Septic Tanks

The landlord is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the septic tank is correctly maintained and emptied. However, it is occasionally stated in rental agreements that it is the tenant’s obligation to maintain the septic tank.

 

Septic tank maintenance typically consists of three components:

• The steps that need to be taken on a daily basis to guarantee that it is well cared for
• You can hire a business to empty the tank on a regular basis
• Paying a firm to do any necessary maintenance

Risks of Neglecting Septic System Maintenance

Failing to properly maintain a septic system is a recipe for trouble—for both landlords and tenants. If regular maintenance falls by the wayside, a range of issues can rear their ugly heads:

• Health hazards: An overflowing or malfunctioning septic tank can cause untreated sewage to leak into your yard or even back up into the property. This isn’t just unpleasant—it poses significant health risks by exposing occupants and neighbours to harmful bacteria and pathogens.
• Property damage: Neglect can result in costly damage to plumbing, gardens, and even the structure of the house itself, thanks to moisture seeping into foundations.
• Environmental consequences: Untreated wastewater can contaminate nearby watercourses and groundwater, leading to pollution of local streams, rivers, and wells. Environmental authorities don’t take kindly to this kind of pollution and may issue hefty fines.
• Legal repercussions: In addition to health and environmental risks, landlords who ignore their septic responsibilities may find themselves in hot water legally. Local councils and environmental agencies may prosecute owners for failing to keep systems compliant, especially if contamination spreads to neighbouring properties or public land.
• Increased repair costs: If minor issues go unaddressed, they can quickly escalate into major repairs or even full system replacements—which will hit the pocketbook much harder than routine maintenance.

In short, regular septic system care isn’t just an annoying chore—it’s essential for keeping your property safe, legal, and comfortable for everyone involved.

Septic Tank Precautions on a Daily Basis

If you have a septic tank, you need to think about a few things. These will assist in keeping it healthy and working as efficiently as possible. These are some examples:

• Avoid flushing anything that cannot be readily broken down down the drains, such as diapers, wet wipes, coffee grounds, or cat litter.
• Use only eco-friendly cleaning solutions, shampoos, and shower gels, and avoid using chemicals that destroy all germs, such as bleach try to use natural products for cleaning.
• Make every effort to use as little water as possible.
• Pouring grease or oil down the drain should be avoided.
• Avoid driving over or obstructing your drain-away area.

 

Septic tank volumes can range from around 2,700L to over 38,000L. Of course, the larger the septic tank, the fewer frequently it must be emptied.

As a general guideline, a septic tank should be emptied once a year, but your landlord should be able to offer you a more precise estimate if you are unsure. Make certain that, if it is your job to empty it, your landlord has informed you of the most recent time this was done.

That said, the frequency can vary depending on the size of the tank and how much wastewater your household produces. Most experts recommend having your septic tank pumped every 3–5 years to keep it operating smoothly. Homes with smaller tanks or larger families may need to do this more often, while bigger tanks or smaller households might be able to stretch it a little longer. Regular maintenance is key—don’t wait for problems to arise before scheduling an emptying.

Tell-Tale Markers

It is necessary to empty your tank on a regular basis anyway, but there are several symptoms that your septic tank needs to be emptied right quickly. These are some examples:

• Pipes that gurgle
• Slower water drainage
• An odor emanating from the drains
• water pooling in the drainage area-or rapid green growth in this region
• If you observe any of these, it is critical that you empty your septic tank (or notify your landlord, depending on your contract) as soon as possible. Ignoring these signs can lead to bigger problems, like unpleasant smells, slow drainage, or even wastewater backing up into your home. Sometimes, these issues may signal that your system doesn’t have enough capacity to handle the amount of wastewater produced. In that case, you may need to reduce what you’re putting into the system—such as limiting water use or avoiding disposal of unsuitable materials—or speak to your landlord about increasing the tank’s capacity or improving its efficiency. By acting promptly, you’ll help prevent costly repairs and keep everything running smoothly.

Working Together When the Septic Tank Is Overloaded

If you notice frequent issues with your septic system—like repeated backups, slow drains, or unpleasant odors—it could be a sign that the tank can’t keep up with the household’s wastewater needs. In cases like this, open communication between tenant and landlord is key.

Here are some practical steps tenants and landlords can take together:

• Monitor Usage: Both parties should be mindful of water usage and avoid overloading the system. This means spreading out laundry loads, fixing leaky taps promptly, and steering clear of draining large volumes of water at once.
• Report Problems Early: Tenants should notify landlords as soon as symptoms appear, so minor issues don’t turn into costly repairs.
• Review Tank Capacity: The landlord may arrange for a professional assessment to determine if the tank is the right size for the property. If it’s too small, upgrading to a larger tank or installing additional drainage may be necessary.
• Adjust Household Habits: Simple changes, like using water-efficient appliances and reducing waste entering the system, can help manage the load.
• Plan for Upgrades if Needed: If capacity is a constant issue, the landlord may need to consult with septic tank specialists—like those in the UK with British Water accreditation—to explore options for increasing system efficiency or capacity.

By working together and tackling problems promptly, both tenants and landlords can ensure the septic system continues to run smoothly and avoid unpleasant surprises.

The Process of Emptying

The emptying of a septic tank must be done by a licensed business. These are available from the Environment Agency.

During the procedure, they will come to the property and connect a huge hose to the tank, sucking the sludge out of the tank and transporting it away.

How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Emptied?

How frequently you’ll need to empty your septic tank depends on several factors—such as the size of the tank, the number of people living in the property, and household water usage habits. As a rule of thumb, most septic tanks should be pumped every 1 to 3 years. However, if you notice signs like slow drains, unpleasant odours, or your tank hasn’t been emptied in a while, it may be time to arrange a service sooner rather than later. If you’re unsure, a licensed professional can assess your system and recommend an appropriate emptying schedule to keep everything running smoothly.

Some individuals are put off by the thought of owning a septic tank. However, if properly maintained, it may really save you money. Details on who is responsible for its upkeep and emptying should be included in your rental agreement. If it is not stated in the rental agreement, it is the landlord’s obligation, although it is worth asking them to clarify if you are unclear.

Conclusion

A septic tank system may be out of sight, but it should never be out of mind. From understanding its main parts and knowing who is responsible for upkeep, to spotting the warning signs early and following daily precautions, proper care is essential. Neglecting maintenance not only risks expensive repairs and property damage but also poses serious health, legal, and environmental threats.

The good news is that with regular checks, timely emptying, and responsible usage, your septic system can operate efficiently for years to come. Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, clear communication and proactive action are the keys to avoiding unnecessary stress.

At Dirt2Tidy, we understand that a clean and well-maintained home extends beyond what’s inside your walls—it includes the systems that keep your property safe and hygienic. That’s why our professional cleaning services across 8 major Australian cities are designed to give you peace of mind. From bond cleaning and deep cleans to specialised services like carpet, BBQ, and oven cleaning, our trained teams help you maintain a healthier, fresher living environment.

With our 7-Day Bond Back Guarantee, eco-friendly approach, and dedication to customer satisfaction, we’ve become a trusted choice for households, tenants, and property managers across Australia.