We are buying a new home. It has a 500 gallon propane tank. The meter has read 10% consistently the past month or so. We close on Friday, but do not get possession of the home for 30 days. WHAT amount of propane should i insist the meter be at before close? Is 50% full too much to ask? I do not want to worry about pipes freezing, etc AND i do not want to worry about having propane delivered directly upon moving in. I've actually heard of one home selling around here and the new owners demanding the propane was "topped off" before close. what do you think? please help! thank you!

Are the people living there now or is it vacant?
If it is vacant then it is reasonable for the tank to consistently be at 10%.
As for demanding it is topped off before close, you are getting free heat from the previous owners.
I can see an inspection of the tank and the meter to be sure that they are in working order but not the free propane.

If you have already negotiated the deal it's too late to make demands on the gas tank. Should have done that when negotiating the deal!

Unless it's a privately owned tank, it may be leased from the local propane company. If there is a name on the tank call them for answers. If the tank is privately owned (that should be made clear before the sale) call a few local propane companies and see what they tell you.
Around here they will not fill a tank more than 80% and usually ask that you reorder when it gets to 20%. But that is with a 150 gal tank.
The last time I had 100 gallons delivered was two weeks ago and it cost $338.
Our propane company usually lets us put money on the books with them is Sept to buy at summer prices. They will deliver at the price you bought at until the deposit is used up.

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The husband & wife are getting divorced. they have both moved out BUT the house is still full of their "stuff". Apparently no-one has actually lived there since July. I guess my point is....if i don't have possession (cannot access the home) for 30 days after close and its located in where its cold (ohio) they should make sure its got enough propane to heat the house until I can get IN?? How is that wrong ? They have the next 30 days to move their stuff out and i will be paying the electric bill. However, the heat is propane. Our realtor said he can do an addedum to the contract saying it needs to be a certain percent full. IF I'm totally wrong--I do want to know. I'm not trying to get "free" propane. I just want to ensure the pipes dont freeze in my new house.

You are asking valid questions and you are making sure to protect your investment and prevent any damage. You're doing the proper thing in this situation. As cashchik said you should call the company listed on the tank or even your local gas company or a company that sells and delivers propane they should be able to help you.

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