Sourced from Georgia DPH Chapter 511-3-1, county environmental health office procedures, and Georgia real estate disclosure requirements — last checked July 2026.
What Lenders Require
FHA, VA, and USDA loans require proof of a functioning septic system before closing. Most conventional lenders require it too. The requirement comes from the lender, not the state.
The gold-standard document is the county Environmental Health Performance Evaluation Report (Form 14.L) — issued by the county Board of Health, accepted by all lender types and title companies.
Some lenders accept a report from a DPH-certified private inspector in lieu of Form 14.L. Always verify with your specific lender before booking an inspection.
Inspection Costs
| Inspection Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Standard visual/flow evaluation | No published state fee — ask what is included |
| Full Performance Evaluation Report | No published state fee — ask what is included |
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The ATU Buyer’s Trap
For Sellers
A documented, recently serviced septic system is a selling point. Georgia’s seller disclosure form specifically asks about the sewage system. Proactively pumping, inspecting, and documenting your system before listing removes buyer anxiety. A failed septic system can knock $10,000–$30,000 off a purchase price — often more than the repair would cost.
For Buyers: What to Check
Post-2000 homes: Confirm the tank has two compartments with an effluent filter (required by Georgia law).
Pre-1980s homes: May have no county records. If the county has no record of the system, you’ll want to know that before the buyer’s inspector does.
Any home with an ATU: Verify the maintenance contract status. Non-negotiable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia require septic inspection when selling?
No statewide mandate, but most lenders require proof of a functioning system.
What is Form 14.L?
The county Performance Evaluation Report accepted by all lender types and title companies.
How much does a home-sale septic inspection cost?
No Georgia agency sets or publishes an inspection fee. A full Performance Evaluation Report costs more than a standard visual inspection because it involves opening and testing the system rather than looking at it. Ask two or three inspectors what is included before comparing prices.
What is the ATU buyer's trap?
Buying a home with an ATU without verifying the maintenance contract. Lapsed maintenance is visible to the county.
Can a failed septic affect home sale price?
Yes. A failing system is one of the few defects that can stall a closing outright, because lenders and buyers both react to it. We do not hold a sourced figure for the effect on price, but the repair itself is real money: the EPA puts repair or replacement of a conventional system at $5,000 to $15,000 nationally, and says alternative systems cost more.