Buying a house with propane

So I’m in a contract for a home. The home uses propane for heating, water heat, dryer and stove.

My lawyer said I have to pay for whatever fuel is in the tanks. What bothers me is that I called places that I can get propane at 2.79 a gallon.

The current home owner is on a balanced billing plan of $450 a month…..at a rate of $4.89 a gallon. I’m not sure why.

My lawyer said I have to pay the amount they paid.

My question is this. One how the heck do they measure what’s in the tank. There’s no gauge to get a reading. Would the homeowner have to have the company come measure it? Is there any chance they don’t do this and not ask me to pay. That’s $1200 for fuel if they go by the max of 250 gallons.

Also, I don’t want to stick with that fuel company obviously at that price. How do I go about changing once I’m stuck paying that amount. Obviously I would want to use up that fuel that’s in there if I’m paying for it.