What Is a No Further Action Letter for an Oil Tank?
If you have heard “get the NFA” in a real estate conversation, here is what it means.
What it is
A No Further Action letter, or NFA, is the NJDEP’s confirmation that the cleanup of a heating oil tank discharge met the state’s requirements. According to the department’s FAQ, it closes out the incident that was opened by the call to the DEP hotline.
When you get one
The NJDEP issues NFA letters for unregulated heating oil tanks when a discharge was discovered and a cleanup was carried out. It says that if a tank was closed and there was no evidence of a discharge, and the tank passed the municipal inspection, there is no need for an NFA letter.
So an NFA is a sign that there was a leak and it was dealt with. No NFA often means there was no leak.
How it is obtained
The department’s FAQ describes the steps:
- The cleanup is completed according to the state’s Heating Oil Tank System Remediation Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:26F.
- The certified company prepares a Remedial Action Report and a signed UHOT form.
- The report and form are submitted to the DEP along with a non-refundable review fee, listed in the FAQ as $400.
- The DEP reviews the package. If the work was done properly, it issues the NFA letter.
How long it takes
The NJDEP says it typically takes about 2 to 4 weeks to review a complete package, depending on the volume of reports. If there are deficiencies, the department contacts the environmental professional to resolve them.
Why it matters at closing
A municipality may keep a permit open until an NFA letter is provided. Buyers and attorneys often ask for the letter as proof that a past leak was closed out. See How to Find Out If Your NJ Home Has an NFA Letter.
A caution about “abandoned in place”
An NFA applies to a cleanup, not to a tank left in the ground. The NJDEP notes that a tank abandoned in place under a permit is not a guarantee that it never leaked. See Is It Safe to Leave an Abandoned Oil Tank in the Ground?.
If you are not sure whether your property has a tank at all, call Oil Tank Scan NJ at 732-673-1584 about a sweep.
