I have an underground oil tank on my property. What are my options to decommission the tank? Do I have to remove it when I sell the home?

Currently, a property owner has two options to legally decommission an underground oil tank: to abandon the tank in place by having it filled with sand or foam, or the remove the oil tank from the property.  Both options require a fire protection permit and the work must be done by a contractor certified with the State of New Jersey Department of Environemental Protection to work on unregulated heating oil tanks.  HOWEVER, property owners should be informed that when they sell their property, they will most likely be forced to remove any underground oil tanks on the premises - whether they have been properly filled or not.  Homeowners insurance companies reguarly refuse to issue new policies to home buyers if there is an underground oil tank on the property.  As well, our staff has heard stories of owners not being allowed to change or upgrade howeowners insurance policies with an underground tank on site.  Removing previously-filled tanks has therefore become increasingly common.  Additionally, a tank being previously-filled does not guarantee that the tank does not have a hole in it.