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We are interested in a home in North Hempstead that is currently using a 1,500 gallon in-ground oil tank for heating. We were looking to convert to gas should we purchase the home, and are interested in decommissioning the tank. I don't think we can get the sellers to abandon the tank before we purchase, so I wanted to know what steps we could take to ensure that we as buyers could properly abandon the tank after we purchase the home without being subject to any environmental liabilities. We may be able to get the sellers to agree to a soil test, but if that test were to come back negative, can we assume that we would have no issues when we abandon the tank? Should we also have a tank tightness test performed? The sellers seem reluctant to perform a tank test, stating that the test itself could cause leaks in the tank. Is this true? Also, at what point(s) does the county get involved during the abandonment process, if at all? Do we receive some sort of certification from the county and/or oil abandonment company when the tank is properly abandoned? Lastly, I have read that in-ground oil tanks over 1,100 gallons need to be registered and tested periodically with the county. Does this only apply to tanks that are not in use? I have checked with the county, and they have no records of the tank being registered. Will this cause additional complications? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
There are currently no laws in place about abandoning oil tanks. We are selling and abandoning ours for the buyers and it's a very simple process. The company (we are using Windmill) takes care of all the paperwork and files with the county. That's it.
There is absolutely no point in performing a soil test and I told my RE agent and lawyer that that was an absolute no go for me - God only knows how long that tank has been there and why should I be responsible for it? The soil test is not required by law. If you want it done, do it after YOU own the house and take the liability on YOURSELF.
There are currently no laws in place about abandoning oil tanks. We are selling and abandoning ours for the buyers and it's a very simple process. The company (we are using Windmill) takes care of all the paperwork and files with the county. That's it.
There is absolutely no point in performing a soil test and I told my RE agent and lawyer that that was an absolute no go for me - God only knows how long that tank has been there and why should I be responsible for it? The soil test is not required by law. If you want it done, do it after YOU own the house and take the liability on YOURSELF.
Are you also having Windmill install an above oil tank? Can you tell me how much Windmill is charging you to abondon and install a new tank? I need to do this for my house also. Thank you.
There are currently no laws in place about abandoning oil tanks. We are selling and abandoning ours for the buyers and it's a very simple process. The company (we are using Windmill) takes care of all the paperwork and files with the county. That's it.
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In all probability yours is a residential sized oil tank, either 275 or 550 gallons is my guess. The OP's is commercial sized and has different rules and regs.
I have some info on this - will try to find it.
Yes, the 1500 gallon is unusual for residential. But if I were the homeowner, I wouldn't abandon it while still using oit for heat....as the OP states is the case. What if the deal fall thru - the current owners are stuck once heating season comes around again. They've got no oil tank and no gas conversion. Nor would I agree to a soil test - why open yourself up to the liability?
Do you mind sharing how much you paid to convert to GAS? Thank you.
I just found the bill the other day and it was $3150 in 1999.
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Oil Tank Rules and Regs for Nassau and Suffolk Counties
