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Neighbour has Japanese knotweed in her back garden
My neighbour seems to have Japanese knotweed in her back garden – it’s not really a garden, it’s purely concrete with old extensions
L on so it’ll be hard for her to reach.
But main issue is, how do I get her to sort this?
She’s not keen on solving house issues, she has had the house for decades and it’s not in great shape – judging by our shared wall (we are in small narrow terraced Victorian cottages in south London).
Both my house and her house are privately owned – so am I right in thinking that the council will do nothing? Am I meant to report it anywhere?
I would also love any recommended people or companies to remove it and guarantee this so that I can suggest this to her. I have very little budget to help but if I need to help to get her to do this then I will have to somehow.
The other thing to mention is that this plant has also been spotted 3 houses along in the other direction so it’s not an isolated incidence and our gardens are pretty small (maybe 4m wide x 4m deep, if not got the outbuildings on like my neighbour has.)
Thx for any advice!
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12 Replies
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This might help Japanese knotweed & The Law | TP Knotweed Solutions
https://share.google/EJqDHfD2leUnErdxe
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Japanese knotweed & The Law | TP Knotweed Solutions
If you have discovered knotweed on your premises, you might be wondering who is liable. Current Japanese knotweed legislation is very clear on this. It is illegal for a landowner to allow knotweed to spread from their premises to a … Continue reading
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Given that you can’t sell a house with japanese knotweed, you need to take it very seriously. You may not even be able to insure the house if it’s been identified and you don’t take action. If she won’t solve it, you may have to do the work to protect your property. Hopefully it won’t require going to court, but you can’t mess around with this stuff.
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is exactly how I feel so I want to know how to get this done. If it was in my own garden I’d get it sorted immediately!
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You will need to send them a letter with the photos and advise that if it is not cleared by them and invades your garden, that you will take them to court for any related costs. Make it clear that this is the last thing you want to do and hope they will get it sorted quickly, as once it goes to seed it will spread.
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Here is a good step by step guide I would use to also properly ensure you follow all the right procedures:
1. Take clear photos
Photograph the plant, stems, leaves, where it is growing from, and how close it is to boundaries, walls and outbuildings.
2. Do not cut, pull, dig or strim it
Disturbing Japanese knotweed can spread it and make treatment harder.
3. Get it identified
Send photos to a Japanese knotweed specialist or invasive plant surveyor for confirmation.
4. Check whether other neighbours have it
Because it has been spotted three houses along, quietly ask nearby neighbours if they have noticed the same plant.
5. Speak to your neighbour calmly
Frame it as a shared terrace issue, not a personal criticism. For example: “I think there may be Japanese knotweed near our boundary and it could affect several homes. I think we should get it checked before it spreads.”
6. Suggest a professional survey
Ask if she would agree to a specialist visiting to confirm what it is and advise on next steps.
7. Get quotes from reputable contractors
Look for companies that offer a management plan, treatment record and insurance backed guarantee.
8. Ask about coordinated treatment
If it is present in several gardens, treating one plot alone may not solve the problem.
9. Keep everything in writing
After any conversation, send a friendly text or email confirming what was discussed.
10. Contact your home insurer
Check whether you have legal cover or support for neighbour disputes, property damage, or invasive plant issues.
11. Only report if it is being ignored and spreading
The council may not remove it from private land, but they may advise if it is causing a wider nuisance or spreading onto public land.
12. Keep records
Save photos, dates, messages, reports, quotes and any treatment plans. This helps if you need to sell, claim, or take further action later.
Hope that helps!
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Thx so much. I need to find companies to call to get them to come and look at it – but it’ll also take the neighbour agreeing to let them in.
In the houses 3 doors down the other way, I had a chat with one owner who basically said she trims it when she can get out there but she wasn’t interested in doing more. The one next to her was out so I’ll try knocking on their door over the weekend and hope they’re home. It’s rly hard when the home owners don’t understand why it matters or just don’t want to engage over it.
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I really hope by some miracle it turns out not to be, but don’t hesitate to kick this plan of quickly! Also you don’t want anyone trimming it back or digging as it triggers further growth.
If you can get a survey done asap that can be the evidence you can share quickly with everyone and get everyone on the same page as you asap wow your strongest route to resolving things.
It always takes someone to take charge and so often it ends up being one person leading! If you can gather that evidence, present and source the right solution quickly you have a greater chance of getting everyone in board to share the load quickly.
Keep us posted step by step on how things go.
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I’d contact a company send photos . We had it on a probate house we were selling and clearance and management were enforced.
I’d not for a minute say it is a shared issue. It’s in her garden and she’s liable for the management.,
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Very difficult legally and practically. You have to locate the source – and kill at source. Collaboration with neighbours, legal rights and obligations. It’s a nuisance claim and may prevent sale and possibly insurance. Menace!
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thx for this – really worried if this is knotweed! I looked up my home insurance to see what they cover – would you or maybe have any ideas if this wd help me:
“Thank you for purchasing Family Legal Protection Insurance from Legal Protection
Group Limited.
This insurance will provide assistance to pursue or defend an insured person’s
legal rights in a range of issues affecting everyday life including:
• Disputes with an employer
• Disputes over the sale of goods
• Disputes with your landlord
• Damage caused to your home and
property
• Pursuit of claims for death or personal
injury
• Defence of work-related prosecutions
• Assistance following identity theft
• Disputes over the purchase of goods or
services
• Disputes over the purchase or sale of
your home
• Nuisance or trespass
• HMRC enquiries into personal tax
affairs
• Pursuit of claims following clinical
negligence
• Attending jury service or as a witness”
in court
• Access to 24-hour telephone helpline
services
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v helpful, can I ask how you know abt this? Are you a lawyer or insurance pro? Your advice sounds good to me!
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they may invalidate if you later try to make a claim but haven’t told them about it before so it’s fine to ask the Q, log on file and then ask for advice or recommendations to investigate and report to them eg they may have approved experts in your area they like to use /get favourable rates and trust the reports
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