Should survey have said something about this?

[greenenergy]

Hoping some surveyors might read this and tell me if this is reasonable or not.

Recently bought a house with oil heating. In the survey the surveyor commented on the condition of the oil tank (saying it looked reasonable). However he said nothing about the fact that the oil tank is right next to a fence and only about 5ft from the house.

Its position turns out to be in breach of regulations on oil tanks (which came in in 2006) and when we get a new one (based on the av life of oil tanks in the next 3 or 4 years) we would have to move it. This is not a cheap job.

I've read through the survey and although it talks about getting someone to look at the heating system it doesn't say anything about the oil tank. A quick glance at the regulations shows the problem - it is not obscure and technical.

Shouldn't the surveyor have said something about this?

What kind of survey did you have done? Was it homebuyers or a full survey?

Full survey which even included a picture of the said oil tank.

hmm, i would expect the surveyor to be aware of the relevant regs. did they say anything in their "not liable for anything ever" section about it?

I've found this www.lincs-oil-tanks.co.uk/tank-locationl.html . We had our original tank replaced a couple of years ago. Because it is next to the boundary hedge, the installers had to erect a fire-retardant wall at one end. My understanding of the info on the link means that you could surround the relevant sides of your tank with a fire-retardant wall rather than re-site it completely if this is impractical.

It says in that link that if you are storing below 3500 litres you are exempt from the regs. My tank holds 2600 litres and holds enough to heat a 4 bed house for about 6 months, so just get a tank that doesn't exceed the 3500 litres.

Scary teacher - I think you are only exempt from the regs until you install a new one. Our tank is only 1220 litres. Mejon - will check out options for fire retardant wall.

Microserf - that's my point - I don't think they did exempt themselves on this. I don't know why they didn't say anything at all about it.