Septic Tanks

General

Where an application for registration includes a mappable reference to a septic tank, this should be shown on the cadastral map (unless it is in a tenement property, in which case it may be shown in the grouping containing the supplementary data for the flat). If the reference to the septic tank is not mappable, see Plans References for Rights, Burdens and Servitudes for details of when the conditions should be verbalised or when the application should be rejected.

There are different ways of conveying ownership or rights to locate and use a septic tank, and the particular details of each case should be considered when deciding on the appropriate method for referencing on the cadastral map.


1. The applicant has a right to locate and/or use a septic tank on ground that is not owned by the applicant.

  • If the site of the septic tank is labelled, arrowed or shown with a point reference on the deed plan, it should be added to the mapping of the title by drawing a point reference on the cadastral map. The conventional style is to label st in blue.
    • If the reference is a precise point reference, make sure you drag the letter text away from the point to create a call-out line (arrow).
    • If the reference is an imprecise point reference, the text should be placed in the same position as the identifying text from the deed plan. Do not move/drag the letter away to generate label/call-out lines as this would result in a more precise representation of the point reference than was given in the deed.
  • If the site of the septic tank is shown with an area reference on the deed plan, then this should be plotted onto the cadastral map. Either an edge or a tint may be used for this reference, and the choice should be made based on the clearest possible depiction of the site at the base scale of the map.
  • The reference for the septic tank should be classified as Servitude.


2. The applicant has acquired the ground upon which the septic tank is located.

  • If the area of ground forming the site of the septic tank is shown with an area reference on the deed plan, then this should be plotted onto the cadastral map. Either a red edge or a tint may be used for this reference, and the choice should be made based on the clearest possible depiction of the site at the base scale of the map.
  • If the area of ground forming the site of the septic tank is labelled, arrowed or shown with a point reference on the deed plan, it should be added to the mapping of the title by drawing a point reference on the cadastral map. The conventional style is to label st in blue.
    • If the reference is a precise point reference, make sure you drag the letter text away from the point to create a call-out line (arrow).
    • If the reference is an imprecise point reference, the text should be placed in the same position as the identifying text from the deed plan. Do not move/drag the letter away to generate label/call-out lines as this would result in a more precise representation of the point reference than was given in the deed.
  • The reference for the septic tank should be classified as Ownership - Exclusive.


3. The applicant has acquired ground that is burdened by someone else's right to to locate and/or use a septic tank.

  • If the site of the septic tank is labelled, arrowed or shown with a point reference on the deed plan, it should be added to the mapping of the title by drawing a point reference on the cadastral map. The conventional style is to label st in blue. 
    • If the reference is a precise point reference, make sure you drag the letter text away from the point to create a call-out line (arrow).
    • If the reference is an imprecise point reference, the text should be placed in the same position as the identifying text from the deed plan. Do not move/drag the letter away to generate label/call-out lines as this would result in a more precise representation of the point reference than was given in the deed.
  • If the site of the septic tank is shown with an area reference on the deed plan, then this should be plotted onto the cadastral map. Either an edge or a tint may be used for this reference, and the choice should be made based on the clearest possible depiction of the site at the base scale of the map.
  • The reference for the septic tank should be classified as Burden.


Please note, features such as septic tanks do not fall within the definition of "enclosed unit" referred to in sections 23(4), 26(5), and 28(4) of the 2012 Act. That section of the act refers to types of apparatus that are used to convey something from one place to another (for example, pipes), but does not cover the places (or features) between which the thing is conveyed. For example, these sections cover the drains leading into a septic tank, and the outflow pipe from the septic tank to a soakaway, but do not cover the septic tank itself.

Registers of Scotland (RoS) seeks to ensure that the information published in the 2012 Act Registration Manual is up to date and accurate but it may be amended from time to time.
The Manual is an internal document intended for RoS staff only. The information in the Manual does not constitute legal or professional advice and RoS cannot accept any liability for actions arising from its use.
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