Bamboo spread issue

VA2020

Hi all,

Query re bamboo.

I bought my first house during Covid lockdown - survey done, but due to Covid rules the survey was limited in terms of touching/checking things that required moving. So it wasn’t checked if contained.

Live in a terraced house, it has become evident that bamboo was planted between our properties that was not contained and this has lifted paving tiles, neighbouring property it has reached their bathroom drainage and my side it’s everywhere too. I need to check if it has reached the foundations.

it become clear this had been an issue for my previous seller after I’d bought it as I met the owner of the neighbouring property (landlord) and he mentioned the old owner of mine has to share the costs with Him to get all the roots out of the drains as it had spread. The landlord then sold his property to my neighbour, and now we’re both stuck with this issue.

Basically the bamboo is destroying the garden area, growing into our drains and potentially may be growing into foundations as it’s now appearing next to outside walls/in drainage. It reminds me of Japanese knotweed in a way due to the severity

do Sellers not have to declare this? Can I take any action on this? It’s awful and potentially going to cost a lot of money. 

princeofpounds

When you buy a property, you are generally entitled to truthful answers to questions you have asked (that doesn't mean they will be satisfying answers - 'not known' is a perfectly valid response!).

The standard questions are on the TA6 Sellers' Property Information Form. Japanese Knotweed is on that form, but bamboo is not (nor any other invasive plant). I've had a quick skim and I can't see any other questions that would relate to your problem, but you may wish to go back to the TA6 you received and see if anything covers it.

Then the other matter is your solicitor's enquiries. However, they probably did not ask about bamboo or other invasive plants as there was no particular reason to do so. But perhaps there were some enquiries relating to drainage or house condition that may be relevant.

I strongly suspect that you don't have any enquiries that cover it, and beyond that it is caveat emptor - buyer beware. You have to do your own due diligence and missed this.

Have you considered an insurance claim rather than paying out of pocket?

peterhjohnson

princeofpounds said:

The standard questions are on the TA6 Sellers' Property Information Form. Japanese Knotweed is on that form, but bamboo is not (nor any other invasive plant).

Yes, JKW is a rank amateur compared to some types of bamboo unless planted carefully.

Bamboo is on my personal checklist when looking at property but so far as I know, professionals ignore it

Slithery

peterhjohnson said:

Yes, JKW is a rank amateur compared to some types of bamboo unless planted carefully.

Indeed it is...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10457923/How-neighbours-bamboo-caused-100k-damage-inside-home-shoots-burst-walls.html

Carrot007

peterhjohnson said:

Bamboo is on my personal checklist when looking at property but so far as I know, professionals ignore it

Would a "professional" know the difference at a glance beetween good and bad bamboo?

I have some out back. It's easy to care for and looks nice and does not spread roots. Of course if the wrong kind was forbidden from sale that would be a better option.

TheJP

FYI a surveyor cant move things even in non covid times.

Unless asked if there was any ongoing issues with the neighbour (not a dispute) then they don't have to tell you, its up to the buyer to do the relevant checks. I would probably confirm cost then see if its better to claim on home insurance.

Grumpelstiltskin

I know I never declared Bamboo when I sold my last house, mind you it was the middle of summer so it was obvious.

Mind you it was a good distance from the house and planted up against the fence of the neighbour who had over the years been a pain. 

GDB2222

I don’t think house insurance covers this. 

seven-day-weekend

We inadvertently planted the 'wrong' type of bamboo in the garden of our last house.  It went everywhere, lifting up slabs and even the shed floor.  It took three years for us to get rid of it completely, even though we tried various measures including poisoning and burning.

We have bamboo in the garden now, because it makes a nice screen and rustles in the wind, but even though we believe it to be the non-invasive kind, it is all in large pots so it can't go anywhere! 

I hope you manage to get it sorted.