Do we need to fill the oil tank at end of tenancy?

Ramouth

We have rented a property with oil fired heating for the last six months.  At the start of the tenancy the tank was 3/4 full.  It is now 1/2 full.  Do we need to try and get someone to come out and give us 1/4 of a tanks worth of oil?  Or can we just pay our landlord the value of the oil used?

lookstraightahead

Can you ask the landlord what they prefer? So long as they don't overcharge you.

usually you would leave things as they were at the start of the tenancy.

unless they charged you for the oil, of course.

Browntoa

Your contract should be quite clear on that , is it in the inventory as 3/4 full ? 

Ramouth

Yes it is recorded on the inventory as 3/4 full.  It isn’t mentioned in the tenancy agreement.  We are not trying to avoid paying for the oil we have used - just seems wasteful to get a delivery for only 1/4 tank as am assuming that there is a call out fee or minimum amount for delivery.  Good idea to ask landlord - we actually hadn’t thought of that!

theartfullodger

Just discuss with Landlord what happens.  He may be happy you just pay for the 1/4 tank of oil 

AdrianC

If it's in the inventory as 3/4 full, and you leave it 1/2 full, then a sensible compromise - and the one the deposit protection arbitrators are likely to go with, ultimately - is surely to pay the equivalent value of 1/4...?

Stubod

For me it would make sense to just pay the landlord for 1/4 tanks worth of fuel?

Ramouth

Thanks all

Slinky

Makes sense to pay for a quarter tank rather than get somebody out to part fill.  Would be different if you'd used it all leaving the landlord or the next tenant with the hassle of having to arrange a delivery.

youth_leader

I agree with others, pay for the quarter tank, our deliveries were a minimum of 600 litres.

When I moved into a rental last February, in snow, the tank was empty and it took a week for the delivery - there was no mention of it in the tenancy agreement.  I left this March and left it half full.