NJ Deputy Attorney General assigned to the State Department of Environmental Protection from 1986 - 1990. When you buy your new home, you don't just buy the building and property. You are also buying any hidden environmental hazards. That is why you must be careful if the house that you love contains an underground oil tank. Love is blind, but as a buyer you should not be.
Homeowners often rely on home inspection companies to make sure that everything is in working order.
This is generally a very good idea because it is better to become aware of problems and potential problems before you purchase, rather than after you purchase. But, home inspectors are not equal in terms of talent and capability. If you are going to rely on an inspector, use the services of one that is highly recommended by a disinterested person. One big concern during a due diligence investigation concerns the integrity of any underground storage tanks, including home heating tanks. Since underground storage tanks are buried, underground, and therefore not readily visible, experts are required to evaluate whether the tanks are leaking and otherwise meet current legal requirements.