We purchased a house 3 years ago. We were told the propane tank which is used for heat, hot water and cooking, belongs to us as the original owner purchased it. We were having a company who had been filling it for the previous owner do so for us. Then we found another company filling it one day. When we inquired about it, that company said the tank was theirs. They offered no proof though. My husband just took their word for it. Later that company sold out to still another propane company who insisted that we sign a lease for the tank. Since then they have charged us outrageous prices (double the going rate) for our propane . When I confronted the driver with the last fill up he called his boss and they consented to match whatever price we had gotten from another company. When the bill came that price was not matched and we are still charged over $4.00 a gallon. I would like to know how I can go about finding out whether that tank is truly ours. There is no company name on the tank at all, only a serial number.

I appreciate any advise you can give me.

The going rate, at least in Illinois, for propane is about $2 gal. Tanks can be leased or owned by the property owner. You need to go back and review your closing papers to see if it was included in the sale. Now if you signed that new lease afreement you may have complicated things. Tell the 3rd company that you own the tanl and tell them to prove otherwise. Also, call around, there should be other suppliers who can give you a better price.

Tell them to take the tank and get another co to supply one. I don't know how anyone can prove they own it. But if you do get a new one the co claiming ownership won't take it they will put a lock on it and leave it in your yard, make sure they take it.

It has been my experience that propane tanks, sheds, docks, etc... are listed in closing papers. If the tank is not specifically listed, you don't own it. A new company will not give your free tank. You can buy a 500 gal for about $700 or lease it from the new company.