How can I make a claim?

Karen25

I have bought a property 6 months ago. Recently our oil tank split, costing over £2000 to sort out. The tank was still under warranty from the manufacturer, but they refuse to pay out as we had moved the oil tank and base out of the way so that an emergency tank could be placed to prevent oil loss prior to them inspecting the site, and to ensure we could have heating/hot water. - they state that as the tank and base was not in situ when the engineer came to inspect it, we cannot prove the tank was installed correctly and hence won't pay out anything, not even for the emegency pump out. They won't talk to the oil company that dug up the base to get their word on it either. They tell me to take it up with the person who installed the original tank, but I don't have the details for this person, or proof of purchase of the tank/installation given that it was installed 9 yrs ago and I only bought the house 6 months ago. I am wondering whether the person who installed the tank could be made to pay out if I could track them down, or whether our surveyor should have commented on the tank in the survey of the house during the purchase, or if there is any way of getting the tank manufacturer to pay out. The tank was left in the garden, along with the concrete slabs that made up the base for them to see, the only thing was that they were not in situ. It seems unfair that no one will pay out on something that is not our fault. Is there anything I can do?

Cardew

You could take them to the Small Claims court.

It doesn't cost you much and firms will sometimes make a 'goodwill' payment rather than appear in court. However you really will have a job proving that it was installed correctly 9 years ago, especially after the 'evidence' has been 'tampered with' by moving the tank.