Property Sales & Purchases
Buying or Selling a Property with a Private Water Supply
You’d always organise a property survey, so why not a private water supply survey?
Springhill provides independent surveys, water testing and written reports to help demonstrate that a private water supply is safe, reliable and suitable for the property, helping transactions progress with confidence.
Surveys & Reports
Why get a private water supply survey?
Selling or buying a property on a private water supply can be a challenge. While most people understand bricks and mortar to some extent, adding a private water supply into the mix can make it a little more unnerving.
On top of that, mortgage lenders, solicitors and surveyors are asking both buyers and sellers to provide independent reports on water quality and the sustainability of a private water supply before any money is released and the sale can go ahead.
We provide a clear assessment of the supply and its quality and share quick and actionable technical advice so you can get the right fix when it’s needed. Our reports mean your property sale can go ahead smoothly and everyone involved is in the know.
Why do I need a Report?
What do you get with a homebuyer or seller report?
Clear, quick and actionable technical advice and the right fix when it’s needed – this is what we’ve been doing for domestic and commercial properties on private water supplies for decades, keeping water flowing in homes and businesses across the North of England. But we also offer that advice to home buyers, sellers and property professionals.
We provide in-depth homebuyer and seller reports based on our engineers’ expert insights. We offer:
- A free site visit from an experienced engineer.
- A free basic survey and water test to assess the quality of the water and equipment.
- A written report detailing the status of the supply, the equipment and any recommendations, which can be supplied to solicitors or lenders when asking for the status of the supply.
While we supply a free site visit which includes a basic survey and water test, full written reports are chargeable at an hourly rate, which we’ll discuss with you before work begins.
Why choose us?
Why choose Springhill for your private water supply report?
We aren’t just local engineers – we are highly qualified engineers, chemists and consultants with an unmatched depth of experience in private water supplies.
Chartered Water and Environmental Manager (CIWEM)
Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
MSc qualified
More than 100 years of combined team experience across the North of England
Trusted by homeowners, estate agents, solicitors and major mortgage lenders
Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot from hundreds of customer reviews
Top Tips
Questions every buyer should ask
Before you commit to a property with a private water supply - whether it's supplied by a borehole, spring or another source - there are a number of important questions you should ask.
If you can answer them all, and nothing rings alarm bells, you'll have most of the information you need to proceed with the purchase. However, remember that mortgage lenders may ask for independent evidence before releasing funds. If you have any concerns about the information you've been given, or you're not quite sure what it all means, get in touch and one of our engineers will be happy to help.
Here are some of the key questions you should ask before buying a property with a private water supply:
- Is the supply shared with other properties?
- Has the supply ever run dry or suffered from low pressure?
- When was the water last tested to regulatory standards?
- Is the treatment equipment regularly serviced by a specialist?
- Are full maintenance records available?
- Who owns the source, storage tanks and distribution pipework?
- Are there clear legal rights or obligations relating to neighbouring properties?
How it works
Our Simple 4-Step Process
1
Call one of our engineers on 01422 833121 or email for our initial over-the-phone consultation.
2
We’ll conduct an on-site water testing and system survey.
3
We send over your comprehensive written report.
4
We’ll provide tailored recommendations and remedial quotations (if required).
Ready?
Talk to one of our engineers today
Private water supplies don’t often derail a property sale; it’s the lack of understanding around the process that can sabotage or slow that sale. With early assessment, clear technical guidance and proactive communication, buyers, sellers and property professionals can keep the process moving smoothly and confidently.
Our team of engineers has more than 100 years’ experience in private water supplies, keeping the water flowing for country estates, domestic homes and rural businesses across the North of England. If you’re buying a property, selling one or overseeing the sales process, speak to an engineer today to discover if you could benefit from a report.
Customer Testimonial
“Professional, friendly and prompt service. Used to carry out a survey on our private water (well) supply for house sale purposes. Very pleased with how efficient Springhill were, in particular Geoff and how quickly results were emailed over to us. Totally recommend. Thank you.”
Cartwright - Five Star Review
“We got a really comprehensive water report on the private water supply in the house we were buying. This gave us the information we needed to withdraw our offer and saved us a massive amount of money in the long term. Very detailed report with professional prompt replies, thanks so much!”
M. Coucill - Five Star Review
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a report when buying a house on a private water supply?
Because a private water supply and the equipment used to treat and distribute it aren’t managed by a water company, all of the responsibility falls on the owner. This is where complications can arise in when buying or selling a property.
A private water supply may appear to be working perfectly on viewing day while hiding underlying problems that could derail the sales process, causing significant delays or cost thousands of pounds to rectify. These problems could include:
- Failed water tests (bacterial or chemical contamination)
- Missing maintenance records for treatment equipment
- Unclear ownership or rights regarding shared supplies
- Unanswered technical questions from mortgage lenders
- Concerns about long-term sustainability and yield
A professional assessment of the private water supply, the treatment system and the related equipment can identify any issues early, laying out a clear fix, meaning there are no hidden surprises for the buyer or seller and everyone is in the know.
Our comprehensive private water supply reports proactively address these issues before they become deal-breakers, keeping the sale on track.
Who needs a report?
The owner of the private water supply is responsible for its upkeep and for adhering to the regulations. Failing to do so means that you could be held responsible by local authorities, but it’s not only the owner who has responsibilities in the sale process – everyone has a part to play:
- For home buyers: it’s up to you to do your due diligence on the private water supply – failing to do so could potentially land you with some expensive fixes.
- For those selling a property: not only does your supply need to meet regulations, but failing to declare the supply or any issues could cause problems for the sale.
- For estate agents and property professionals: it’s your job to keep the sale as smooth as possible and any hidden issues with a private water supply can slow or derail the process.
While we wouldn’t expect you to know everything about private water supplies – that’s what we’re here for – it is up to everyone in the sales process to do their due diligence and seek the right advice at the right time.
What do mortgage lenders often require?
Many lenders now demand formal reassurance on specific criteria before releasing funds for properties with private water supplies. A mortgage lender will typically want to know:
- Is the water safe to drink?
- Is the treatment equipment suitable and properly maintained?
- Is the supply sustainable and unlikely to fail?
- Are there any obvious regulatory or compliance concerns?
- Are alternative water sources available if the primary supply fails?
Our water quality reports for house purchase provide the exact technical data that lenders, solicitors and surveyors are increasingly requesting.
What about private water supply regulations?
Private water supply regulations are strict and will be enforced by the local authority if the supply and treatment equipment doesn’t meet their minimum standards. However, it’s not always easy to know where you stand when overseeing, selling or buying a house with a private water supply.
When you opt for a report on your property, our team of engineers will advise on the regulations surrounding the property’s supply, whether the supply and water quality meet the current regulations or, if they don’t, what it will take to meet these rules.