Request your heating oil tank inspection online
- Have the certainty of working with an approved inspector or inspection body
- Get a price estimate before requesting the inspection
- The experts at De Immowinkel will contact you within two business days to schedule your inspection.
What does an inspection of your heating oil tank involve?
A heating oil or fuel oil tank stores a large amount of liquid fuel that you can use to heat your home. Because that tank poses a risk to the environment, you have to have it officially inspected by an approved expert.
This expert will check that your installation is still working properly and hasn’t been damaged. You will then get an inspection certificate and a branded plaque or sticker will be placed on your heating oil tank.
When should your heating oil tank be inspected?
- Underground tank: Every five years. If your tank stores more than 6 000 litres, it must be inspected every two years.
- Above-ground tank: Since 1 March 2009, you only need to have your heating oil tank checked when it is first installed. If your tank can store more than 6 000 litres, you should have it inspected every three years.
Why do I need to have the tank inspected?
A poorly maintained tank can get cracks or splits that allow heating oil or fuel oil to enter the ground. This can lead to serious environmental damage and significant clean-up costs.
If you’re looking to sell your home, you’ll need to be able to produce a valid inspection certificate for your heating oil tank.
How does it work?
- Answer a few simple questions
Enter a few details about your home such as your address, year of construction and the type of property. - Choose heating oil tank inspection
Your answers are used to determine which certificates and inspections you need, and then it’s up to you which one(s) to request. - Get a price estimate
You see right away what costs are involved and can then decide whether you want to proceed with your request. - Place your order
If you have everything you need, you can place your order and track its progress in KBC Mobile. You don’t have to pay until after your appointment with the expert. - Schedule an appointment with an expert
One of De Immowinkel’s experts near you will contact you within two business days to schedule an appointment. KBC Mobile also tells you how to prepare for the appointment to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
To receive a convenient reminder about your appointment from Kate, be sure to turn on your notifications. - Get your certificate
After the expert has prepared your certificate and you’ve paid the invoice, it will be made available to download.
Who is our partner ‘De Immowinkel’?
De Immowinkel is an independent platform where you can request the most common certificates and inspections for your home. It puts customers requesting a certificate or inspection in contact with a local expert, who then prepares the relevant certificates and inspections within the agreed timeframe.
How to get started
- Open KBC Mobile and tap ‘Additional services’ or log in and tap ‘Offer’
- Scroll to ‘Home & energy’ and tap ‘Certificates and inspections’
- Request your certificates and inspections
FAQs
You can ensure your inspection goes smoothly by preparing a few things in advance:
- Make sure you know the name or brand of your heating oil tank and its year of manufacture
- Check the storage capacity of your tank
- Gather all the documents and certificates from the previous inspection
- Keep your technical data sheet to hand
- Fill your tank to at least 50% with liquid fuel, otherwise the inspection cannot proceed
A technician or environmental expert first checks for visible damage or leaks. They then pressurise the tank to check for any hidden leaks. The thickness of the tank wall and the overflow protection system are also tested.
It is a legal requirement in Belgium to have your heating oil tank checked when it is installed. If you don't, you risk a fine and the authorities may decide to have your tank removed.
- Green: Your heating oil tank is in full working order and you may continue to use it.
- Orange: Some defects were discovered during the inspection but you may continue to use the tank. You have six months to get your heating oil tank back in good condition. The heating oil tank must also undergo a new inspection within this period.
- Red: The tank does not comply with legal requirements and may no longer be used. You need to make sure your heating oil tank is fully repaired and inspected again as soon as possible.
Since 1 January 2022, you are only allowed to replace small components of your tank. If your heating tank needs to be replaced entirely, it’s a good idea to look for a more energy-efficient alternative such as a heat pump.
The additional ‘Certificates and inspections’ service in KBC Mobile allows you to quickly and easily request any certificates and inspections you may need if you’re planning to sell, rent out or renovate your residential property*. Our partner ‘De Immowinkel’ puts you in touch with a reliable expert near you, who then prepares the relevant certificates and inspections for you within the agreed timeframe.
The following certificates and inspections can be requested:
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Asbestos certificate
- Electrical installation inspection
- Heating oil tank inspection
* While this additional service is primarily intended for residential properties, it can also be used for small non-residential properties such as a hairdresser’s or a home office. Larger non-residential properties such as business premises or warehouses are not eligible for this additional service.
Renovating
After renovation works, you’ll likely need an electrical inspection, a gas inspection and an Energy Performance Certificate.
Selling
If you’re planning to sell your home, you’re legally required to have an electrical inspection and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and also an asbestos certificate if your home was built before 2001.
You are also required to have a soil certificate, town planning information, a post-intervention file, a cadastral plan and flood risk data.
Renting out
If you want to rent out your home, you are required by law to have an electrical inspection and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), as well as a soil certificate, a post-intervention file and a certificate of conformity.
