On Fri, 27 Sep 2013 05:01:02 -0700, bob haller wrote:

http://www.ncagr.gov/standard/LP/LPg....htm#Delivery5

Of great interest was the NEXT question in the list!

Q: When I buy a house, does the propane tank become mine?
A: In North Carolina, when a propane company sets a tank,
they keep ownership of it.

Then they go on to clarify:
"This is especially true for above ground tanks.
Buried tanks become the property of the homeowner
more often, but not always."

Apparently I might be able to check with the county that they filed
the proper forms (if California law is similar to North Carolina law).

"If the propane company wants to keep the tank, they have that right.
If they file a UCC-1 form with the county for a tank on the property,
then they have clear documentation that they intend to keep ownership
of that tank, even if the house sells and a disclosure statement does
not point out that the tank is not included in that sale."

And, maybe even if they filed, it, it might expire after a few years:
"The UCC-1 expires after a specified time period and must be renewed
to remain in effect."