Japanese Knotweed in neighbours garden - what are my options?

Davesnave

I think you are fortunate to have buyers who are still willing to proceed.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, if it were me I'd get the treatment plan in place and pay for it, because it's not very likely the neighbours will be persuaded to act in a short time-frame.

The bigger picture is what's important. If you have a 'forever' home you're ready to buy, then surely you'll find the money, or is it just a theoretical property? That's not completely clear from your post, but it does sound as if you are suited.

bigG_60

Hi all, thanks for your responses. The consensus seems to be be that I need to bite the bullet and just get the work done. I will have another talk with the neighbour and I think they will be ok with me having the work done (why wouldn't they want free work?!) but I very much doubt they will pay for it.

Of the articles provided, the ASBO one unfortunately does not apply in NI, I have checked this with my local council. And as mentioned the other wording seems so vague that legal action may not work out in my favour.

One question I have though, if the knotweed has actually spread to my property (there is some decking in our garden that we haven't lifted and a plant is growing close to it) does that change things? Would the owner of next door be forced to do something then?

Davesnave

bigG_60 wrote: »

One question I have though, if the knotweed has actually spread to my property (there is some decking in our garden that we haven't lifted and a plant is growing close to it) does that change things? Would the owner of next door be forced to do something then?

Possibly, but some strapped local authorities are, apparently, somewhat reluctant to pursue these matters with vigour.

https://www.treeadvice.info/Article_So_who_is_dealing_with_Japanese_Knotweed.html

iammumtoone

bigG_60 wrote: »

One question I have though, if the knotweed has actually spread to my property (there is some decking in our garden that we haven't lifted and a plant is growing close to it) does that change things? Would the owner of next door be forced to do something then?

I don't think you will help yourselves by looking.

At the moment all you are aware of is it being in your neighbours garden which you can treat if you decide to.

Once/if you have to declare you have found it in your garden this may put your buyers off. I think you are lucky they are willing to proceed with in your neighbours garden I would not take the risk of having to declare it is in your garden as well.

Unless of course you are willing to lose your current buyers, check in your garden, find it then take your neighbours to court to sort out the issue. All this will take up alot of time, if you have time and don't need to sell now its an option.