Propane Tank With New Home
I recently purchased a home in a rural area of Cecil County MD where most of the houses have septic and propane. The original owners had a contract with a propane company in which the gas company owned 500 gallon underground propane tank and the property owners could only use that gas company’s services for filling the tank (common practice). I contacted the Gas Company to try and buy-out the propane tank. They stated that they do not sell the tank and that my options (more or less) were to take the contract or they would remove the tank. When I asked which party would be responsible for the removal, they stated that the previous owners would pay for the removal.
This seems to be heading in the direction of needing legal assistance. 1) They charge $0.65 more than some other Gas Co. 2) The previous owners should not have to pay for my request 3) I don't want them to rip up yard just to reinstall the same tank.
Has anyone else ran into this same issue? What are my options?
another reason to have oil heat
Sounds like looking into legal advice is the best bet considering the contract is with the previous owners.
Let me put another kink into this chain, maybe someone out there can offer some additional advice. I noticed a bag hanging from my door today. It turned out to be an invoice for 264 gallons of propane that was delivered yesterday. The invoice is addressed to the previous owners and I know the gas company is aware they no longer reside at the home because I called them and explained and they sent a contract (which I have not signed) to the address.
I have not signed a contract with the Gas Company. I did not ask them to fill the tank. The invoice is in the name of the previous owners. I should not be liable to pay for the propane
Kirk,
Sorry to hear that. A real Catch-22. I paid Suburban about $2,500 to install my 1,000 gallon (850 usable) tank so that I own it. I have used 3 different companies as they all have "intro" rates.
One solution would be to install a 2nd tank and plumb to the house and cut over to it. Then tell the old company to come get there tank and put the lawn back the way they found it.
Good Luck, please post what you find out or your solution so we can all benefit !!
Jon
Thanks for the advice Jon. All of the propane companies that I have asked for quotes require proof of ownership of the tank, otherwise they will not fill. On top of that, the "owners" of the tank prohibit any other Gas Company from filling their tank.
I currently have a Real Estate Broker looking into the issue. They have contatcted the origial owners to see if they can dig up their contract to see if it clearly states liablility. Personally, I dont see how their contract can be vailid anymore since they no longer own the property or the tank?
Kirk,
Hi, I am Jon Tucker with RE/MAX 100. Seek legal assistance.
Have other propane suppliers declined to fill the tank? Maybe they could shed light on the laws and norms. I would imagine the tank supplier would not come get it but would probably abandon in place.
Thanks, Jon Tucker, 443.538.4316, TuckerRealty@comcast.net, http://www.JonTuckerHomes.com
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