Action 9: Neighborhood charged for propane tank removal

None — After 13 years of using propane gas to heat his house, Dennis Fowler switched to natural gas in December to save money.

That’s when his dealer, Heritage Propane, told him he would have to pay a $105 fee before it would pick up the tank.

“They said, ‘That’s the way it is. You’re going to have to pay it’ before they come pick up their tank,” he said.

Fowler balked at paying the fee, telling Heritage Propane it was not fair.

It turns out Fowler was not the only person complaining about paying the tank retrieval fee. Several of his neighbors were having the same problem.

Fowler’s entire neighborhood of 30 homes made the switch to natural gas.

Action 9 contacted Heritage Propane to ask about the fees. Their district manager said all of the homeowners signed a lease, agreeing to pay any charges associated with removing the propane tanks.

However, the company waived the $105 fee for all 30 homeowners. Fowler and his neighbors are happy.

“That’s good news. Since y’all stepped in and looked at it, put some heat under them, it’s gone,” he said.

It’s a valuable lesson for homeowners -- know the terms and conditions of lease agreements before signing them.

WSOC