Before spending money on diligence, confirm that the person offering you a Florida gas station actually has the right to sell it — and what exactly they can convey.
This article covers ownership and title verification on station transactions, including the traps specific to fuel retail.
Confirm Who Owns What
Pull the county property appraiser and official records for the deed holder, and the state corporate filings for the operating entity and its officers. On many Florida stations the land sits in one family entity and the business in another.
Confirm every required signatory: co-owners, estates, trusts, and partners who may not be part of your conversation.
Title Search and Survey
A commercial title commitment reveals mortgages, judgments, tax liens, easements, access restrictions, deed restrictions, and use covenants. Survey work confirms boundaries, encroachments, and whether canopy, tanks, and signage sit within the parcel.
Restrictive covenants prohibiting fuel sales — often recorded by a former competitor or a shopping center owner — are a real and frequently missed risk.
Personal Property and Equipment
Run UCC searches against the entity and owners. Dispensers, POS systems, coolers, and car wash equipment are often financed or supplier-owned, and the seller may sincerely believe they own equipment they do not.
List every included asset in the contract with serial numbers where practical.
Leasehold and Consent Issues
On leased sites, verify the lease, remaining term, options, assignment rights, and landlord consent process. Confirm the landlord's identity independently rather than relying on the seller's representation.
See transferring station ownership and legal checks on distressed sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Speak With a Florida Gas Station Specialist
Request a confidential consultation or off-market opportunities and pricing through our contact page, or call +1-305-518-1545. The Gas Station Group is headquartered at 8603 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143. Principal: Bobby Berrido.