Offer on home with underground oil tank

[EDWARD M.]

I put an offer on a two-family home with a decommissioned underground oil tank. I just found out that the oil-tank is actually under the ground floor apartment and the current owner will not allow for soil testing because it would require drilling into the floor in the apartment. He is providing DPW documentation showing the tank was decommissioned and inspected by the town in the early 90s. I have read that this is still a hazard and soil-testing should be done because the owner does not have documentation showing the tank was properly decommissioned and no leaks were detected (soil tested and cleared of spillage). I don't know what to do!

[Damian LoBasso]

I agree 100% with Dalwin Garcia . Don't be afraid to walk as remediation will cost in the tens of thousands since in your case you'll be dealing with foundation limitations as well, not to mention the repair cost. If the tank was outside and cleared all tests, all you need to do is throw dirt on it.