Water, gas, sewage and electricity in a private house: what to check before buying

2026-11-02 · 6 min read · MARDECO

When viewing a house, attention usually goes to the pool, the yard and the finish. But day-to-day comfort depends on what you cannot see — water, gas, sewage and electricity. Problems in these systems that surface after the purchase cost both time and money. This guide is for buyers choosing a house in Mardakan or Shuvelan: what to look at during a viewing, what to ask the seller and which documents to request.

1. Why utilities deserve a separate check

In an apartment, water, gas and sewage are shared building systems looked after by a management company. In a private house, every one of these systems is your responsibility: the pipe running through the yard, the well, the water tank, the septic system, the electrical panel. How the previous owner installed and maintained them directly affects your future costs.

The biggest risk is hidden defects: an old pipe inside a wall, a leaking underground septic tank, a power line that cannot carry the load. None of this is obvious at first glance, so prepare your questions in advance and ask for documents that back up the answers.

2. Water: mains supply, well and storage tank

Country houses on the Absheron peninsula get water in several ways: a mains connection, an artesian or ordinary well, and a backup storage tank. Many houses use a combination. Each option has its own checkpoints.

• Mains supply — is the house a registered subscriber, is there a working meter, are the latest bills free of debt? Ask the seller whether water is supplied around the clock.
• Well — depth, when it was drilled, the age of the pump and the water quality. Well water on Absheron is often mineral-rich or brackish, so a lab analysis is worth doing. More: guide to artesian wells.
• Tank and pump station — tank volume, material, date of last cleaning and whether the pressure pump works properly.
• Internal plumbing — open all taps at once: does pressure drop, is the water discoloured, how quickly does hot water arrive?

A simple test: during the viewing, run several taps and the shower at the same time and flush the toilet. If pressure drops sharply, the cause may be the pump, the pipe diameter or the supply line — clarify it before you buy.

3. Gas: subscriber code, meter and boiler

In a private house, gas means both heating and hot water, so this part needs particular attention. First, confirm that the house is officially registered as a gas subscriber, the meter is installed and there is no outstanding debt. Many houses have a prepaid card meter — ask whether the seller has the card and how the account will be transferred to you after the sale.

• Boiler brand, age and date of last service.
• Condition of the flue and ventilation in the boiler room.
• The gas pipe running through the yard: rust, fastening, paint.
• Real heating costs in winter — ask to see last winter's bills.

More on boilers and heating costs: gas and boilers for a country house.

4. Sewage: mains network or septic system

Not every street in Mardakan and Shuvelan has a central sewer, so many houses use a septic tank or a local treatment system. That is normal, but you need to know the type of system and its condition.

• System type — mains connection, a conventional septic tank or a biological/aerobic treatment unit.
• Location — how far the septic system is from the house, the pool and the well; whether it sits close to the boundary with a neighbour.
• Service — how often it is emptied and when it was last done; whether a truck can reach it.
• Warning signs — unpleasant smells in the yard, wet patches, slow-draining sinks and toilets.

On septic types and how to choose: sewage and septic systems for country houses. Also check how rainwater is drained from the yard — on a plot without drainage, water can affect both the foundation and the septic system.

5. Electricity: capacity, meter and wiring

A modern private house carries a heavy electrical load: pool pump, air conditioners, water heater, kitchen appliances and sometimes electric heating. So a meter alone is not enough — you need to know whether the supply can handle the load.

• Registration of the house as a subscriber, a meter and no outstanding debt.
• Allocated capacity: do breakers trip when the pool, air conditioning and heater run together?
• Electrical panel: are breakers labelled, is there earthing and a residual-current device (RCD)?
• Wiring condition: old aluminium wiring, warm sockets, exposed joints.
• Backup power: if there is a generator or solar panels, how they are connected.

More: electrical safety at home.

6. Viewing-day checklist

1. Open all taps and the shower at once and check the pressure.
2. Time how long hot water takes to arrive.
3. If there is a well, ask for a water analysis or at least the last test result.
4. Look at the water tank and pump station.
5. Ask for the boiler to be switched on and find out when it was last serviced.
6. See the gas meter and its card.
7. Find out where the septic system is, what type it is and when it was last emptied.
8. Check the yard for wet patches and smells.
9. Open the electrical panel: are breakers labelled, is there earthing?
10. Run the air conditioner, pool pump and heater at the same time.
11. Look for signs of damp in the basement and boiler room.
12. Ask who installed the utilities and whether there is a layout plan.

If possible, bring a plumber or an electrician to the viewing. A few hours of professional inspection can save you from repairs that drag on for months.

7. Which documents to ask the seller for

The most reliable information about utilities is on paper. Ask the seller for:

• Water, gas and electricity bills for recent months and a document confirming there is no debt.
• Subscriber codes — you will need them to transfer the accounts after the purchase.
• Warranty and technical documents for the boiler, pump and water heater.
• Information on well drilling and water analysis (if any).
• A utility layout plan, or at least a description of where pipes run and where the septic system is.

Checking ownership documents is a separate topic — see checking documents before paying a deposit. For unexpected costs after the purchase, see the hidden costs checklist.

8. Where to find a house with checked utilities

MARDECO sells houses only in Mardakan and Shuvelan. Catalogues: houses for sale in Mardakan and houses for sale in Shuvelan. Examples of houses for sale: house in Mardakan (MR-143), house in Mardakan (MR-138), house in Shuvelan (SV-144). Send us your questions about water, gas, sewage and electricity for any house on WhatsApp — we will arrange the viewing so you can check every item on this list on site.

Payment is in cash or via a mortgage the buyer arranges with a bank; the bank sets the rate. MARDECO does not offer installment plans.