Oil leak - no fault property damage

[Mike Farnsworth]

Hello BP community,

I recently had a crazy event happen to one of my rental properties (1 of my 9 doors affected in this single family long term rental):

A home heating oil company mistakenly delivered a very large quantity of oil to the wrong address. The oil went directly to the basement and is all over the floor and my tenants’ belongings. The tenants are displaced: travelling to a nearby family member’s home. 

Further background: my home (constructed in the early 1900s) had an oil fill pipe that apparently used to go to a tank in the basement. That tank and any remnants have since been removed, so the oil ran unencumbered straight to the basement on a very old and decaying, yet functional concrete floor. 

I have contacted the oil company, the fire department, my insurance company, and the DEQ. There has been an environmental remediation company sent in to work on the spill (let’s just say it was almost 100 gallons, in order to keep this anonymous). 

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Any advice? I’m concerned about the future habitability and rentability of the property. That is, even if habitable and rentable, will there be a deterring lingering smell that would lower my future rents. Also, it’s cold at the property location: I’m also wondering if the smell could worsen in warmer months. 

What should I be thinking? Doing? Any advice greatly appreciated. This has been very distressing for me and of course even moreso for my tenants. 

Thanks!