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A buyer purchases a home in North Vancouver and discovers after closing that a decommissioned oil tank was not properly removed and has contaminated the soil. The seller checked 'Unknown' on the PDS regarding oil tanks. What is the buyer's legal position?

Correct Answer

D) If the buyer proves the seller knew of the tank, 'Unknown' is fraudulent misrepresentation, and remediation costs and damages are recoverable

If the seller knew about the oil tank and contamination but marked 'Unknown' on the PDS, this constitutes fraudulent misrepresentation. The buyer would need to prove the seller had actual knowledge. If successful, the buyer may recover the cost of remediation, diminution in property value, and potentially additional damages. The buyer should also consider whether the seller's agent knew and failed to disclose.

Answer Options
A
The buyer has no recourse because the seller answered 'Unknown', which shields a seller from any later claim about the oil tank
B
The buyer can only recover costs from the municipality, because it approved the decommissioning of the tank and failed to confirm its removal
C
The buyer's home insurance will automatically cover all remediation costs, since contamination discovered after closing is treated as a sudden insured loss
D
If the buyer proves the seller knew of the tank, 'Unknown' is fraudulent misrepresentation, and remediation costs and damages are recoverable

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Key Terms

oil tank contaminationfraudulent misrepresentationPDS Unknown answerburden of proofremediation costs
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