Ruckersville, VA · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 0 votes
My tenants were supposed to fill the oil tank when they left the property. They did not. Is there a procedure I need to follow before I take them to court?
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
13y
I handle the oil tanks a bit differently , I dip the tank and measure the amount , I have the conversion chart for how many inches equal a gallon . When they move in I measure the amount of oil and they pay for the oil . When they move out I measure the tank and reimburse them for what is in the tank .
Rockford, IL · Member since 2013 · 330 posts · 62 votes
13y
I would handle it the same as I would damage. Find out the cost to refill the oil tank, deduct their security deposit. If the security deposit isn't sufficient to cover cost, send them a letter requesting payment in accordance to the lease. If they refuse or fail to respond then file a suit in small claims court (hopefully it does not exceed the amount permitted for small claims in your state)
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
13y
I handle the oil tanks a bit differently , I dip the tank and measure the amount , I have the conversion chart for how many inches equal a gallon . When they move in I measure the amount of oil and they pay for the oil . When they move out I measure the tank and reimburse them for what is in the tank .
Contractor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2013 · 647 posts · 205 votes
13y
Hi Connie, welcome to BP. I don't rent, but I'd agree that the security deposit should be the initial step, and much simpler. Small claims court in VA is up to $5,000, and of course you'll have to prove your case to the satisfaction of the court. Before that, though, you'll likely (possibly procedurally required, I can't recall) be asked if you want to go through arbitration first. Basically, it's just kind of a pain and easier to use the security deposit if you can. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!
This must be an east coast thing. I've never heard of an oil tank. What is it?
its a fuel tank for a oil burning furnace , "heating oil" is basically diesel fuel , you normally have a 275 gallon tank either outside the house , in the basement or buried in the ground ( Buried becomes a major problem when they leak ) Heating oil is around $3.65 a gallon , so filling a tank can cost close to $1000 dollars
Ruckersville, VA · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 0 votes
13y
Thank you for the responses. The security deposit was used for the last months rent as the house was in good shape. I agreed to this because they are family friends. Update. They have put approximately 1/2 the amount of oil required in the tank. I'm waiting to hear what they plan to do about the remainder. @Chad Clanton is there any sort of local investment group I could join? I'm thinking about using some of the equity to possibly buy and rent or flip something in Charlottesville. I also have a townhouse that's underwater that I'd like to refinance.
Contractor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2013 · 647 posts · 205 votes
13y
@Connie Willingham , sorry for the delayed response. I'm not really looking into the Charlottesville area, but according to the results from a google search I did, the Charlottesville REIA # is (804) 293-6795. Take care, and good luck!