What Realtors Need To Know To Better Educate Their Customers On Underground Storage Tanks (UST).
(Click HERE to go to the online inspection request form)
Like many real estate agents, you may have a feeling of unease upon learning there is an underground storage tank on the property your client is contracted to purchase or sell. It is an understandable concern but a very manageable situation that is easy to handle. It is imperative that the agent be proactive in rectifying the tank issue, especially if there is a possibility of contamination.
AGENT REPRESENTING A BUYER:
Educate your buyer about oil tanks and contamination so that they can make intelligent decisions to limit liability and, potentially, the loss of their dream home.
If the property owner cannot prove that the home has always used a heating source other than oil, it is strongly recommended that the property be inspected to determine if there is an underground storage tank or to look for any signs of one that may have existed. To investigate further, contact the county or city and inquire if a tank was ever removed and inspected. Contracting OilTankRemovals.com to perform a tank location test will address any tank concerns in the early stages.
It is highly recommended to call us and have us check the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) database to see if a release was ever reported and, if so, to see if the case was closed.
If a UST is found, the buyer should require the property owner to remove their oil tank. OilTankRemovals.com is highly qualified in removing heating oil tanks. We ensure that the tank closure is done according to VADEQ regulations, and we provide comprehensive documentation evidencing proper closure.
If contamination was discovered during the tank removal, insist that the current property owner immediately start the cleanup process by first reporting it to the VADEQ. OilTankRemovals.com can assist the seller in reporting their release to the VADEQ. Immediately establishing a case number will help to minimize your liability.
If there was a tank on the property and it was removed, you must request a tank certification from the current owner evidencing that the tank was removed or abandoned properly according to the local or county regulations. If it was determined that the tank was leaking, request documentation from the seller evidencing that the cleanup was completed per VADEQ regulations and properly closed.
AGENT REPRESENTING A SELLER:
We recommend you encourage your client to follow these steps so as not to jeopardize the loss of the sale of their home. Unless your client is 100% sure that there is no UST on their property, OilTankRemovals.com recommends we conduct a tank search on your client's property to confirm there is no buried UST. In our experience, even though there is no visible indication of a UST presence below ground, some tanks have been found.
If it has been determined that there is a tank on the property, it is best to have the tank removed. Don't wait; let OilTankRemovals.com help you get the process started sooner rather than later.
Upon removing the tank, if it has been determined that the tank has leaked, soil samples must be extracted to determine the level of contamination. If the soil test confirms a level of contamination that exceeds the VADEQ cleanup criteria (equal to or more than 100 mg/kg TPH-DRO), it is strongly recommended that the contaminated area be cleaned up immediately. OilTankRemovals.com's knowledgeable representatives can discuss the appropriate actions to clean up the contamination. We have a highly qualified staff that will work diligently to execute a comprehensive plan for soil remediation in a timely, cost-effective manner. Most of the time, the remediation can be covered by state funding.
Once the UST has been removed, regardless of whether or not the tank leaked, make sure your client receives proper documentation from the contractor evidencing that the work was completed as per the regulations. OilTankRemovals.com provides a comprehensive UST certification booklet when a tank is removed or abandoned or a Remedial Action Report if the property required cleanup.
Ask our representative if your client is eligible for government funding to pay for the cleanup costs.
OilTankRemovals.com: Oil Tank Services including Home Oil Tank Removal & Installation, Oil Tank Leak Assistance, Oil Tank Inspection, and other Underground Oil Tank Services
Northern Virginia: including Middleburg VA, Dumfries VA, Fairfax Station VA,
Leesburg VA, Vienna VA, Stafford VA
Phone: (571) 319-2294 | Fax: (540) 428-3989 | Email: [email protected]
AGENT REPRESENTING A BUYER:
Educate your buyer about oil tanks and contamination so that they can make intelligent decisions to limit liability and, potentially, the loss of their dream home.
If the property owner cannot prove that the home has always used a heating source other than oil, it is strongly recommended that the property be inspected to determine if there is an underground storage tank or to look for any signs of one that may have existed. To investigate further, contact the county or city and inquire if a tank was ever removed and inspected. Contracting OilTankRemovals.com to perform a tank location test will address any tank concerns in the early stages.
It is highly recommended to call us and have us check the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) database to see if a release was ever reported and, if so, to see if the case was closed.
If a UST is found, the buyer should require the property owner to remove their oil tank. OilTankRemovals.com is highly qualified in removing heating oil tanks. We ensure that the tank closure is done according to VADEQ regulations, and we provide comprehensive documentation evidencing proper closure.
If contamination was discovered during the tank removal, insist that the current property owner immediately start the cleanup process by first reporting it to the VADEQ. OilTankRemovals.com can assist the seller in reporting their release to the VADEQ. Immediately establishing a case number will help to minimize your liability.
If there was a tank on the property and it was removed, you must request a tank certification from the current owner evidencing that the tank was removed or abandoned properly according to the local or county regulations. If it was determined that the tank was leaking, request documentation from the seller evidencing that the cleanup was completed per VADEQ regulations and properly closed.
AGENT REPRESENTING A SELLER:
We recommend you encourage your client to follow these steps so as not to jeopardize the loss of the sale of their home. Unless your client is 100% sure that there is no UST on their property, OilTankRemovals.com recommends we conduct a tank search on your client's property to confirm there is no buried UST. In our experience, even though there is no visible indication of a UST presence below ground, some tanks have been found.
If it has been determined that there is a tank on the property, it is best to have the tank removed. Don't wait; let OilTankRemovals.com help you get the process started sooner rather than later.
Upon removing the tank, if it has been determined that the tank has leaked, soil samples must be extracted to determine the level of contamination. If the soil test confirms a level of contamination that exceeds the VADEQ cleanup criteria (equal to or more than 100 mg/kg TPH-DRO), it is strongly recommended that the contaminated area be cleaned up immediately. OilTankRemovals.com's knowledgeable representatives can discuss the appropriate actions to clean up the contamination. We have a highly qualified staff that will work diligently to execute a comprehensive plan for soil remediation in a timely, cost-effective manner. Most of the time, the remediation can be covered by state funding.
Once the UST has been removed, regardless of whether or not the tank leaked, make sure your client receives proper documentation from the contractor evidencing that the work was completed as per the regulations. OilTankRemovals.com provides a comprehensive UST certification booklet when a tank is removed or abandoned or a Remedial Action Report if the property required cleanup.
Ask our representative if your client is eligible for government funding to pay for the cleanup costs.
OilTankRemovals.com: Oil Tank Services including Home Oil Tank Removal & Installation, Oil Tank Leak Assistance, Oil Tank Inspection, and other Underground Oil Tank Services
Northern Virginia: including Middleburg VA, Dumfries VA, Fairfax Station VA,
Leesburg VA, Vienna VA, Stafford VA
Phone: (571) 319-2294 | Fax: (540) 428-3989 | Email: [email protected]