Can you sell a home with a cesspool?
Yes. There is no state rule that a cesspool must be converted before a sale. The 2050 deadline in HRS 342D-72 still applies to the property, so buyers, lenders and inspectors often ask about it.
Disclosure today
Hawaiʻi's seller disclosure law (HRS chapter 508D) requires sellers of residential property to disclose material facts they know about. Under section 508D-5, the seller delivers the disclosure statement within 10 calendar days of an accepted purchase contract, and the buyer then has 15 calendar days to review it and decide whether to rescind. The Hawaiʻi Realtors seller's real property disclosure statement used in many sales asks whether the home has a cesspool or septic system, when it was last pumped, and whether a cesspool serves more than one dwelling.
The 2026 disclosure bill
HB 1749 (2026) would have required sellers to give buyers a standard cesspool disclosure form starting January 1, 2027. Its measure page shows the House and Senate versions went to conference in April 2026, with no record of it becoming law. Check the Legislature's site before relying on either outcome.
Why get a quote before listing
- A real conversion estimate is easier to negotiate than a guess.
- Some buyers ask for a credit or for the work to be done before closing.
- It shows whether septic, an aerobic unit or a sewer connection fits the lot.
See typical costs or request a free quote. This page is general information, not legal advice. Ask your agent or attorney about your sale.
Sources: HRS 508D-5; Hawaiʻi Realtors SRPDS form; HB 1749 (2026); HRS 342D-72