New Rules For Oil Tanks in Massachusetts

Effective September 30th a new set of rules kick-in for homes that have fuel oil tanks in Massachusetts. These rules should help prevent oil spills from faulty tanks or fuel lines. Homes will need to have either a leak detection device or the fuel lines will need to be jacketed. Either solution goes a long way to preventing oil leaks. The estimated cost of these changes will be $150-$350 price range. Fuel leaks, when detected, have cost homeowners up to $250K. Ugh!

Another component of this rule is that insurance companies must write policies that cover oil spills for homes that have installed the above mentioned spill prevention/detection components.

The Massachusetts Dept of Environmental Protection has more information on this new rule on its website.  Check it out!

New EPA Lead Paint Regulations - Effective April 22nd

As of late April the regulations governing home improvements and repairs have been tightened as they pertain to homes built prior to 1978. Any repairs performed by contractors must be done by contractors who have undergone specialized education in the removal and disposal of lead-based paint. These new EPA rules will likely be problematic for a short while, at least until enough contractors have been through the training. Long term, it will drive up the costs of improvements for older homes.

Check out this article on the EPA lead paint law, which goes into effect April 22... Here.