Can I sell a Pennsylvania house with an underground oil tank?

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection publishes tips for residential heating oil tank owners. The page does not say a house with a tank cannot be sold. It focuses on keeping tanks safe and responding to leaks. Whether a buyer or lender will accept a tank is a contract question, so expect it to come up in inspections and negotiation.

Section 7304 of the Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law lists subjects the form addresses, including the presence of hazardous substances. Section 7308 says a seller has no duty to investigate under the chapter, but cannot knowingly conceal a material defect. If you know a tank is buried, or you know it leaked, say so on the form and tell your attorney.

DEP's tips suggest owners ask an oil burner technician to inspect the tank. For underground tanks the page says to check whether the tank is taking on water, using a rise of more than half an inch over an 8 to 12 hour period as the sign. The technician can use water-finding paste or do the check. Water in the tank is an early warning of trouble.

DEP's guidance covers removing a tank and removing or permanently sealing the fill line. Removal can be done before the sale or negotiated into the price. Get written quotes from environmental professionals and ask your attorney who bears cleanup risk in the contract. This page is general information and not legal advice.

An old buried tank can scare off financed buyers, so some owners look at as-is cash sales. A cash sale to Kaizen Home Buyers skips the repair list and the agent commission. The purchase is as-is. We can give you an offer within 24 hours and close in 14 to 30 days, or later if you need time. Our phone is 267-329-0084.