Septic tanks require emptying from time to time, inspect the tank and see what level the effluent is at.
There are tow types of waste water systems: "surface/ stormwater" which discharges to a surface water sewer or soakaway only and "foul water" which is basically everything else (water from sink, shower, washing machine, toilets etc) and this must discharge to a public foul sewer or septic tank/ treatment system. Try pouring some buckets of water down one of your gullys or flushing the WC and see if it flows clearly to tank. If water backs up (and this should be evident inside the tank) then you need to have it emptied. Most septic tanks would need to be emptied every 2 - 3 years.
I'm afraid the previous owners solution would not be compliant with current regulations- discharges from washing machines and the like must discharge to a septic tank or other treatment system. Otherwise detergents which contain phosphates etc will leach into the ground, possibly contaminating the ground water table. Only rainwater and other clean surface water run-oof can be allowed to discharge, untreated to a soakaway as you describe.
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