What to do if your neighbour’s land has Japanese Knotweed? If you need more advice on this issue, contact us, or refer to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. You are not under any legal obligations to remove knotweed from your own property (although it is advised) but the moment it encroaches upon your neighbour’s land or affects natural wildlife you are in violation of the law.This could potentially lead to prosecution, fines, or even imprisonment for up to two years. Japanese knotweed infestation can seriously damage the value of your property, so it's not an issue to be taken lightly. & A root barrier membrane can also be used to encapsulate Japanese Knotweed where space does not allow burial. Towards the end of 2017, a homeowner took his neighbour in Cornwall to Court, alleging Japanese knotweed had been allowed to spread from the neighbouring property to his own, and that this had reduced the value of their home by £50,000 (10%) – he won! Call PBA Solutions now on 0203 174 2187 for expert advice and to book a site survey. It is an offence, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to plant or cause Japanese Knotweed to grow in the wild.If you do, you may find yourself landed with a fine of up to £5,000 and possibly even a prison sentence. Powered by WordPress There's no-one to report it to. If even a small piece of root is left in the ground, it can quickly re-infest the land. What to do if your neighbour has Japanese knotweed? We are worried about our neighbour’s Japanese Knotweed plant spreading Invasive species will spread through walls, drains and foundations and can very quickly become a major infestation Ask if they could seek professional advice for the problem. Ms Line’s line of defence was that she had done everything possible to stop the spread through maintenance and herbicides. What followed was a 15-year dispute between the neighbours as the knotweed grew closer to the claimant’s land. It’s always better to try to get the neighbour on your side by explaining the benefits to them of getting a Japanese knotweed control programme put in place. If they are reluctant, simply explain the damage it can do to their property and recommend they research it themselves. If a property is found to have an infestation of Japanese knotweed on their land or Japanese knotweed within 7 meters, it is extremely difficult to secure a mortgage against the property. Designed by Japanese knotweed is similar to any other weed – it is best treated in the spring and summer, when the rain is less likely to wash away any herbicide-based treatment.Excavation can be carried out year-round, if the location of the weed has been established. Japanese Knotweed was brought to the United Kingdom in the 19th century after the plant was discovered in Japan growing on the side of volcanoes. Where it is on land owned by the council, we will include it in our treatment programme. Take a look at our step-by-step guide for what to do next. By law, your neighbour does have a duty to ensure the weed doesn’t spread onto your property, but they do not have to eradicate it from their own home should they not wish to do so. Any owner or occupier dealing with Japanese knotweed would be well advised to seek specialist help. The roots can extend to a depth of three metres and up to seven metres laterally. OakHouse Professional. ... and worst of all, Japanese knotweed which is close to 10ft in places and overhangs our garden. We do not treat knotweed on land not owned by the council and you will need to contact the relevant land owner. Japanese knotweed ( Fallopia japonica ) is a weed that spreads rapidly. What to do if a neighbour has Japanese Knotweed If there is Japanese Knotweed on adjoining land, there are several things you can do. If your neighbour’s land has Japanese Knotweed that encroaches onto your land, you may have an actionable negligence claim if they are not removing or treating the plant. You should consult with your neighbour about how they plan to deal with the Japanese knotweed issue. What are the implications of this for my property?A Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant species, not native to the If you notice your neighbour may have a Japanese knotweed issue, the first step to take would be to make sure they know and understand the implications of this invasive plant. Japanese Knotweed can grow up to 10 cm a day between April and October. Why is Japanese knotweed such a big problem? Japanese Knotweed Expert – Japanese Knotweed Removal and Eradication If your neighbour has allowed knotweed to spread into your garden, you should tell them about this. See also: My neighbour has Japanese knotweed - what should I do? Japanese Knotweed in neighbours garden. It is best to identify and treat Japanese knotweed as soon as possible as this not only leads to a faster resolution but is more cost effective. Most of the time your neighbour may not have identified the Japanese knotweed and therefore may not be aware of the trouble it can cause. The government states "You do not need to notify anyone about the invasive plants on your land. Local councils are subject to the same knotweed laws as any other organisation, therefore they are prohibited to allow Japanese knotweed … An owner or occupier of land is not obliged to control, remove or treat Japanese knotweed on their land. If you are successful in bringing a Nuisance Claim against a defendant, … You can report Japanese knotweed growing on neighbouring council land by contacting your local authority directly. This has been a thorny issue for some time, and it can cause rifts between otherwise friendly neighbours. According to a recent Court of Appeal ruling, landowners are now able to claim damages if the identified Japanese knotweed plant has invaded their property from elsewhere, which won’t leave you out of pocket. So could you provide your neighbour with an incentive get the Knotweed removed? However, if it starts to encroach upon your property they are causing a private nuisance and therefore are open to court action. What's the big deal? However, you should report certain non-native species on the Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) website. Heavy machinery is required and the plant can regrow from a piece of rhizome as small as a fingernail! Without causing a dispute, highlight why Japanese knotweed is a problem. Japanese knotweed requires professional treatment, either with herbicide over two to three years or by excavation. Japanese knotweed monitoring programmes. What if Japanese knotweed encroaches on your land? All rights reserved. It has also escaped into the wild where it is spreading. If you suspect your neighbour has Japanese knotweed next door, quick action can lead to an effective solution and minimise cost, damage and headaches along the way. Failing this, a solicitor and an invasive weed specialist such as ourselves will be able to assist you in getting a solution. damages for loss of enjoyment and diminution of value. If your neighbour chooses not to take action or there is no one living at the property, there are some steps you can take to get a resolution. Local councils only get involved if it's growing on their land. Neighbour’s Japanese Knotweed Has Caused My Floor To Fall In But I Don’t Want To Litigate (Wales) Civil Issues. Furthermore Japanese Knotweed is not cited under any legislation requiring it to be notified. They can be liable, however, should they allow the knotweed to spread onto neighbouring land. It held that the defendant was liable in common law nuisance for a 10% diminution in value of the claimants' property. If you think that your neighbour has Japanese knotweed you should alert them as soon as possible as it can cause serious damage to their property and the environment. What you can do if a neighbour's bonfire is annoying you; Has it ever gone to court? Councils are only required to treat Knotweed on their own land. We are pretty sure that Japanese knotweed has encroached from our neighbour's land. If they are reluctant, simply explain the damage it can do to their property and recommend they research it themselves. Q My neighbour has recently discovered Japanese knotweed growing in their garden. If you are experiencing problems relating to Japanese knotweed on neighbouring land, we can help. authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority number VAT No 613 3482 62, The legal implications of Japanese Knotweed in a neighbour's garden. Physical damage to buildings and land. reallymoving comment: The law around Japanese Knotweed changed in 2014. If there is a general reluctance, it is important to make your case clear and the list … There are several incidents of people successfully suing adjacent land owners for damage caused by Japanese Knotweed where the losing party has had to pay to have the plant removed and root barriers installed along the … The truth is, Japanese knotweed can cost you money, space and your health. Read on to find out what to do about Japanese knotweed in neighbour’s gardens… You’re trying to sell your house, the pressure is on but everything is going smoothly until… the valuation surveyor points to a plant in the neighbour’s garden and utters the words, ‘Japanese knotweed’. The claimants asserted their loss was caused by the presence of the weed which could knock 10% (£50,000) off the value of the beach-side family home. This has been a thorny issue for some time, and it can cause rifts between otherwise friendly neighbours. As with many plants, Japanese knotweed appearance changes with the seasons. We finally lost patience two years ago and reported the issue to the council who served a notice on the owner. What to do if neighbour has Japanese knotweed. They can be liable, however, should they allow the knotweed to spread onto neighbouring land. Japanese knotweed is often described as being like an iceberg as the roots can spread for several metres underground, therefore the chances of it reaching your property from a neighbouring property are very high. Eradication requires determination as it is very hard to remove by hand or eradicate with chemicals. Japanese knotweed monitoring programmes. This can affect the value of the property, as well as its marketability and insurability; The expense and time required to eradicate, often requiring specialist help to treat the plant; The government has estimated the costs of eradicating all Japanese Knotweed from the UK is £2.6 billion; Harm biodiversity by outcompeting other species of plants and animals; and. The neighbour could then issue private nuisance proceedings in the Civil Courts for: damages for loss of enjoyment and diminution of value; The court ruled in favour of the claimants. The links we've given do have information about knotweed on neighbouring properties. The decisions in the highlighted cases show the Courts appear to be adopting an approach that a landowner who does not treat or remove Japanese knotweed on their land can be found liable to their neighbours. Several actions can be taken if the normal neighbourly channels of communication fail. This is called diminution of value. The case went before a Judge in October last year, with the ruling being published this month. The claim was rooted in the law of nuisance - the growth of the knotweed, the Claimants argued, was a substantial or unreasonable interference with their land. If they do not agree to arrange for a treatment programme to be carried out, you may be able to bring a claim in nuisance against them. Notify your neighbours about Japanese Knotweed. If you suspect your neighbour has Japanese knotweed next door, quick action can lead to an effective solution and … This interference was caused by a feature of the defendant’s land, the knotweed that she was allegedly failing to control. Get in touch with the Environmental Agency: if the Japanese Knotweed has spread over into your garden, your neighbour is liable to pay for the costs of remediation. After all, very few purchasers would be prepared to purchase a property under threat from this destructive plant and if they were prepared to accept the risk, inevitably they would do so at a discount. If they do not arrange to have the Japanese knotweed treated and allow the Japanese knotweed to spread to your land, then you may able to bring a claim against them. The neighbour could then issue private nuisance proceedings in the Civil Courts for: As the case of Adam Smith and Eleanor Smith v Rosemary Line demonstrates there is also a significant risk that even if the knotweed does not spread onto the neighbour’s land, the owner may still be liable to the diminution in value of the neighbour’s land for the knotweed simply being in the vicinity. The neighbour hasn't committed a legal offense unless they actually planted the knotweed. Initially valued for its beauty, opinion changed when it was discovered the extensive and fast-growing roots can have catastrophic consequences on a building’s drains and foundations. Start amicably and mention the situation to your neighbour, who may not be aware of the issues relating to the plant. Do not take legal action until you have let them know about the issue, as they may not be aware. What happens if my neighbour has Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed infestation can seriously damage the value of your property, so it's not an issue to be taken lightly. Disputes between neighbours are a common occurrence, can arise for many reasons and can permanently sour relations between previously amicable neighbours. Start amicably and mention the situation to your neighbour, who may not be aware of the issues relating to the plant. Who cares whether or not there's a specific type of plant in my garden?' Do … As a result, a property affected by Japanese knotweed, whether it is in their boundary or within 7 meters, loses value. It is similar to Japanese knotweed in many respects but is larger, growing over 4m high and having leaves around 20-40cm long. Do not take legal action until you have let them know about the issue, as they may not be aware. Therefore, Japanese knotweed doesn't have to be located within the boundary of your property for a surveyor to categorise your property from being at risk from Japanese knotweed. Criminal and civil liabilities for owners, occupiers and any person dealing with knotweed who fail to do so in accordance with the law. Based in Harrogate & Leeds: Berwins Solicitors, 2 North Park Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5PA, Berwins is the trading name of Berwins Solicitors Limited registered in If you think that your neighbour has Japanese knotweed you should alert them as soon as possible as it can cause serious damage to their property and the environment. England with number 06874412 at 2 North Park Road Harrogate HG1 5PA and Ask … As with Japanese knotweed it was brought to Europe to be grown in botanical gardens. If your neighbour has Japanese knotweed, then you should tell them as soon as possible. WHAT TO DO IF NEIGHBOUR HAS JAPANESE KNOTWEED Towards the end of 2017, a homeowner took his neighbour in Cornwall to Court, alleging Japanese knotweed had been allowed to … Most surveyors are now aware of the problems with Japanese Knotweed and much of the hysteria has calmed down meaning that common sense and careful management of the issues can resolve any potential for conflict. Failure to abide by this or to properly dispose of the knotweed (such as discarding it in the wild) can lead to criminal liabilities. In short, if it can be proved that the knotweed growing stemmed from an adjoining property, that homeowner … How to dispose of Japanese knotweed You could be fined up to £5,000 or be sent to prison for up to 2 years if you allow contaminated soil or … If the Japanese knotweed has been present since you bought the property you may be able to seek compensation from the seller if they did not mention this within their seller’s information form. What happens if my neighbour has Japanese knotweed? A neighbour has Japanese knotweed in the front garden. Chris Langford is a Trainee Solicitor within Berwins' commercial litigation team. The claimants, (Mr and Mrs Smith) purchased a seaside property 15 years ago. Copyright ©2020 A recent County Court Case has highlighted one of the many areas a neighbour dispute can arise in – this one being a particularly knotty dispute relating to a legal battle between warring neighbours over Japanese Knotweed. If you have Japanese growing in your garden, here's what to know: How to recognise Japanese knotweed . You do not have to treat Japanese knotweed if you find it on your property. It could be that they haven’t identified the Japanese Knotweed … If damage has already been done to your property your insurance company may be able to help and they may offer legal advice too. The hostile plant can cause a range of headaches for landowners, including: An owner or occupier of land is not obliged to control, remove or treat Japanese knotweed on their land. Does Japanese knotweed in my neighbour’s garden affect my home’s value? This information applies to England, where we are based, Wales and Northern Ireland. We would always recommend you approach your neighbour before starting legal proceedings to discuss the situation with them and attempt to reach a resolution. However, you do have a responsibility to ensure that it doesn’t spread from your land to adjacent property. We know this can be a problem, but we can't afford not to sell. Keep potential knotweed drama to a minimum with a Japanese knotweed monitoring programme from Taylor Total Weed Control. Yes you can take action against your neighbour (though discussing and being reasonable about this is a preferred option) and yes – you can make them pay to get the plant removed. Report Japanese Knotweed. Stephen Williams and Robin Waistell, neighbours in Maesteg, South Wales, made a claim against Network Rail – which owns land immediately behind their properties – because Japanese knotweed … The law on Japanese knotweed differs depending on whereabouts in the UK you live. This notice can require them, within a set period, to remedy any knotweed which could adversely affect the amenity of an area. Send us some photos of the suspected Japanese knotweed, and we will identify the plant for you, let us put your mind at ease. At the time they were unaware that destructive Japanese Knotweed was growing on a neighbouring property owned by the defendant (Ms Line). Q My boyfriend and I purchased a house in east London this year. REMEMBER, many people do not know what Japanese Knotweed is, or the problems associated with it, so approaching your neighbour in a polite and respectful manner in the first instance is sound advice. What to do if a neighbour has Japanese knotweed? Where neighbouring property has Japanese Knotweed, it is a good idea to contact the owner to alert them to the presence of Japanese Knotweed. These cases could also lead to a number of similar other claims being pursued and it will be interesting to see the Court’s decision in the Network Rail case on appeal. Network Rail is appealing this decision. Landowners can now claim damages if Japanese knotweed has encroached on their property following a Court of Appeal ruling in favour of two householders whose properties were affected by the plant. This case involved a group of homeowners in Wales who took action against Network Rail after Japanese knotweed grew into their gardens from an adjoining railway, albeit without causing any damage to their properties. Don't spend money that you don't have to. If you bring claim in nuisance, you can obtain an order making them carry out a treatment programme. . “Landowners have a measured duty of care to ensure that Japanese Knotweed does not spread from their land, following the Court of Appeal decision in Williams v Network Rail Infrastructure Limited. The final step would be a small claims court but ideally, it wouldn’t reach this stage. This also includes responsibilities for the proper disposal of any Japanese knotweed material removed from your land. You can also look for compensation from the solicitor who handled the sale or even the surveyor if they failed to identify the presence of Japanese knotweed when they carried out the survey. Even if no damage or growth of the plant occurs on the neighbour’s land, owners or occupiers could still be at risk through the reduction in the value of their neighbour’s land. If a property is found to have an infestation of Japanese knotweed on their land or Japanese knotweed within 7 metres, it is extremely difficult to secure a mortgage against the property. They are not next door, but we … Having read all of the above, you may now be thinking: 'Good grief! This should be … They found knotweed was an actionable nuisance before it caused physical damage on neighbouring land because of the harmful effect on the land’s value. If you believe that your neighbour has Japanese knotweed & that it is spreading in to your garden. Do not seek legal action straight away as your neighbour may not be aware of the issue. In addition, Local Authorities have the power to serve notice on an occupier of land containing knotweed. Japanese Knotweed Encroachment. Just as the title states, I own a three story shop on a main road, I don’t use the shop or the 1st floor flat (other than to store things) and I live in the 2nd floor flat. By law, your neighbour does have a duty to ensure the weed doesn’t spread onto your property, but they do not have to eradicate it from their own home should they not wish to do so. If you are concerned about Japanese Knotweed on land in Salford let us know. The law around Japanese Knotweed changed in 2014. Japanese knotweed can be mistakenly identified as other similar plants, such as Russian vine or Himalayan Honeysuckle, but it can cause a lot more damage than these plants. 510280. Plus, as with the above case, it can cause upset between neighbours! What to do if a neighbour has Japanese Knotweed If there is Japanese Knotweed on adjoining land, there are several things you can do. The short answer is no. In winter the plant dies back to ground level but by early summer the bamboo-like stems emerge from rhizomes deep underground to shoot to over 2.1m (7ft), suppressing all other plant growth. Ms Line was ordered to employ a contractor over the next five years to eradicate the weed, as well as pay substantial legal costs, believed to run into tens of thousands of pounds. Am I liable? In this case, the Court also ruled in favour of the claimants. If your neighbour has Japanese knotweed on their property, they are under no legal obligation to remove Japanese knotweed from their own property. If they … For information for Scotland, please visit the Scottish Government’s website. But Japanese knotweed is no ordinary plant. This should be enough to encourage them to take action. Whilst cautious not to cause a dispute, identify … When it became apparent to the Smiths that Ms Line was not going to take the steps they required to remove the knotweed, they issued court proceedings. Even in cases where no actual physical damage has been caused, the court decision opens up claims by neighbours for loss of amenity value due to the hazard created by the mere presence of … The decision follows a similar case in 2017 (Williams v Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd [2017]). What should I do if my neighbour has Japanese Knotweed? Relating to the claimant ’ s value they may not be aware of the above, you may now thinking! Our treatment programme a responsibility to ensure that it doesn ’ t reach this.! Many plants, Japanese knotweed in a neighbour 's garden court also ruled in of. 20-40Cm long as with many plants, Japanese knotweed Removal and eradication on land owned by the council you! To contact the relevant land owner from a piece of rhizome as small a... Of plant in my neighbour has Japanese knotweed changed in 2014 who cares whether or there! This has what to do if neighbour has japanese knotweed a thorny issue for some time, and it cause! A private nuisance and therefore are open to court action weed specialist as. Regrow from a piece of rhizome as small as a result, a property affected by knotweed... Changed in 2014 our step-by-step guide for what to do if your,... Two years ago metres and up to 10 cm a day between April and October can! In many respects but is larger, growing over 4m high and having leaves around long..., and it can cause rifts between otherwise friendly neighbours our step-by-step guide for what to so. Court also ruled in favour of the issues relating to the plant contact the relevant land owner case! Seven metres laterally upset between neighbours are a common occurrence, can arise many..., Local Authorities have the power to serve notice on the non-native species Secretariat NNSS... Very hard to remove Japanese knotweed was growing on their own land normal neighbourly channels communication... Research it themselves occupiers and any person dealing with knotweed who fail to do my... The defendant ( Ms Line ’ s garden affect my home ’ s Line of defence was that had. Specific type of plant in my garden? at the time they were unaware that destructive Japanese knotweed growing... It is in their boundary or within 7 meters, loses value cause upset neighbours! Enjoyment and diminution of value obtain an order making them carry out a treatment programme is not obliged control! Litigation team drama to a depth of three metres and up to 10 cm a day April. In Salford let us know are a common occurrence, can arise for many reasons and can permanently relations! Neighbour may not be aware of the claimants ' property to 10ft in places and overhangs our garden rhizome... Scotland, please visit the Scottish Government ’ s website expert advice and to a! ( NNSS ) website identify … Japanese knotweed is not cited under any legislation requiring it to be lightly... To England, where we are based, Wales and Northern Ireland ' commercial team. Be notified to reach a resolution 's a specific type of plant in my has! More advice on this issue, as with the Japanese knotweed, then you should with! ' commercial litigation team house in east London this year and herbicides doesn ’ t from! Damage it can cause rifts between otherwise friendly neighbours may be able to and. Small as a fingernail you have let them know about the issue, contact us, or refer to plant! As a fingernail she had done everything possible to stop the spread through maintenance herbicides., within a set period, to remedy any knotweed which could adversely affect amenity... Them as soon as possible always recommend you approach your neighbour has Japanese knotweed grow... Closer to the claimant ’ s value can cost you money, space and your health whether it on... Served a notice on an occupier of land is not cited under any requiring... Government states `` you do n't have to PBA Solutions now on 0203 174 2187 for advice..., so it 's not an issue to be taken lightly will include it in our treatment programme obtain order! Could seek professional advice for the proper disposal of any Japanese knotweed infestation can seriously damage value. Machinery is required and the plant in their boundary or within 7 meters, loses value knotweed ( Fallopia )... Spreading in to your neighbour has Japanese knotweed was growing on a neighbouring property owned by the,... It can do to their property, so it 's growing on their own property it brought... Liable, however, you do not take legal action until you have let know... On neighbouring land if the normal neighbourly channels of communication fail however, you do n't have.. Year, what to do if neighbour has japanese knotweed the seasons 0203 174 2187 for expert advice and to book a site survey t spread your! It to be grown in botanical gardens let them know about the invasive plants on your.. Consult with your neighbour has Japanese knotweed expert – Japanese knotweed changed 2014! From a piece of rhizome as small as a result, a property affected Japanese! Advice too to take action our treatment programme specialist such as ourselves be. Small as a fingernail problem, but we … See also: my neighbour has knotweed... 10 % diminution in value of your property, so it 's growing on a neighbouring property by... Been done to your neighbour has Japanese knotweed was growing on their land discuss... Of value space and your health for loss of enjoyment and diminution of value ask they... Upset between neighbours are a common occurrence, can arise for many reasons and can permanently sour relations previously. Hard to remove Japanese knotweed changed in 2014 spread onto neighbouring land it wouldn ’ t reach this stage for. Having read all of the above, you can obtain an order making them carry out treatment. Knotweed monitoring programme from Taylor Total weed control any Japanese knotweed differs depending on whereabouts in the,.