DDU's, septic systems and headaches (Boulder: rental, houses, transfer)

[JesNichole]

Hi all,

My husband and I are about to purchase a home in Unincorporated Boulder County.

As things stand, there are two problems that are slightly connected because we need the second house as a rental to financially afford this.

1. The septic is permitted for a 2 bedroom house. The seller cannot get a Transfer Certificate without having it permitted. This means that it cannot be connected to the second house as 1) It is too small 2)The second house is not permitted.

2. The second house is not permitted. We would not know if this DDU (detached dwelling unit) could be permitted without going through a Special Use Review. This takes up to 6 weeks and is at least $400. Either way, it would not be permitted without a larger septic system or new and separate septic system (think 20K plus).

Does anybody have any experience with DDU's, septics, or situations like this? We are not sure if we should be moving forward or backing out.

Thanks!
Jessica

[brown_dog_us]

It's tough to give good advice with the limited information, but from what you have typed I would tell the seller he/she needs to have both houses with functioning and legal septic tanks for you to buy the property.

What are you reasons for not doing the above?

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

I agree with brown dog. I'd be really cautious. Especially when relying on Boulder County to give an okay on something. You could be looking at a lot of red tape. The seller really needs to take care of these things before selling.

On a side note. Personally I'd also be careful buying anything in which you had to have the rental income in order to afford it. But that's just the cautious me.

[TarkaK9]

Walk. Fast Pace. Infact - Run! If its the property which I think it is, I wouldn't begin to tackle it purely on the costs involved. Not only is it quagmire but a potential nightmare.

excluding the 2nd dwelling - I would verify if the current septic is even of correct size for the original house. So either way, new septic system is most likely going to be required; yes $$.

So, basically you have 2 houses on 1 lot. The 2nd house isn't permitted. BC would never legalize it (permits are never retro'd) merely on the fact that one can't have 2 houses on 1 lot. Solution being, break up the existing lot - $$$ (can be ALOT depending on what is needed). Also, you'd have to consider setbacks of both properties; and then you have to try to then get #2 legalized still with BC ... and its own septic (so 2 new systems potentially) and water. I wouldn't even want to go an annexing route b/c of costs too, and to tap into local utilities may also be expensive - tap fees, running lines, depending how far they have to go, and perhaps over other properties.

Realistically, one is basically going to have to level the 2nd dwelling.