japanese knotweed

[ivanhoe]

we are just putting our property on sale in Ivanhoe Road and have just discovered we have japanese knotweed

at back of garden, just on the network rail side. Can see it along at back of other neighbours gardens too.

It has encroached a little into our garden, but is mostly on Network rail side. We have notified southward council and reported it to network rail via an online form. Just wondered if anyone has had this problem and if so any useful tips?

We think we have to pay to get the knotweed on our land treated but hope that network rail will take responsibility for their land.

[Jeremy]

PM'd you. Yes I've had exactly the same problem. Don't waste your time with southwark! Network Rail are semi-helpful, if/when you can reach them. Unfortunately treating the stuff in your garden will not be effective unless the stuff on the other side of the fence is being treated too.

[MissMadMoo]

Dont mention it when selling your property. Some lenders have been known to turn down simply because of this.

I would chop it down and burn it quick!!

[Jeremy]

That's certainly one option (albeit a dishonest and probably illegal one). But even then, the large amount of knotweed on the other side of the fence will be noted on the valuation survey.

[MissMadMoo]

I'd jump over the fence and take that down too... It's just not worth the grief or potential loss on property sale/value!

[Otta]

So you'd just saddle the people that have handed you a small fortune with a big problem?

Nice.

[MissMadMoo]

It's not that big a deal to keep on top of - Chop, burn, weed kill, repeat...

But it does drastically effect a potential sale!

[MissMadMoo]

Given that the OP has lived there for some time and has 'just discovered' then i would imagine it's hardly an imposing problem.

[Jeremy]

I don't think you understand how much of the stuff there is on the side of the railway line, MMM.

[MissMadMoo]

You're right i don't. But for sure i would do my best to chop down/clear/hide.

That's all.

[Otta]

It's the "hide" which I have issues with. And if you buy a place which is going to come with a load of weeding duties you should know about it in advance.

[ivanhoe]

well the chop it and burn it option isn't an option for us as apart from the rights and wrongs of doing this, its all along the backs of other neighbours gardens and quite impossible to reach to do anything about, as its between the fence put up by network rail and the fences at the backs of peoples gardens

[ivanhoe]

well we've only just discovered it yes but the problem is not just the stuff we can reach to get treated but the fact thats its all along the boundary of others gardens, and any surveyor worth their salt will immediately id it!

[MissMadMoo]

Flamethrower for the hard to reach bits ;)

[ivanhoe]

I'll let you know how southwark council and network rail repsond!

[Jeremy]

Is it coming up already, or is it just dead brown stalks from last year?

[ivanhoe]

just dead brown stalks from last year

[edcam]

MissMadMooo - the question of whether it's present usually appears on the form you have to fill in when selling a property. Advising people to lie about it is a tad irresponsible.

[DulwichFox]

Ivanhoe

You need to read this.

Home Sellers to declare presence of Japanese knotweed

Posted by Ben Lindley - Nov 2013

Tags: Residential Property - Comments (0)

Property Information Form (TA6) forms part of the contract documentation when you are selling your home. It requires the seller to disclose information about the property.

The 3rd Edition of the TA6 form came into effect a few weeks ago and now includes new questions on Japanese knotweed.

The form states that: ?Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant that can cause damage to property. It can take several years to eradicate.? It then asks sellers; ?Is the property affected by Japanese knotweed?, with the answer ?Yes, No or Not Known? required.

If a seller, based on the best of their knowledge, answers ?No?, and it subsequently transpires that the plant is present, then the buyer may pursue the seller for compensation. Therefore if providing a ?No? answer a seller may be advised to add a caveat that, no guarantee is given in this regard and that the buyer should instruct a suitable Home Buyers Survey to be absolutely sure.

http://japaneseknotweed.co.uk/news/2013/11/home-sellers-to-declare-presence-of-japanese-knotweed/

DulwichFox

[ivanhoe]

Dulwich fox

yes I did see that question on the forms i filled in for Soicitors pack, at the time din't know we had it, but will change it accordingly now, as no interest in covering it up. It was the estate agent who is marketing our house who pointed it out to me and they seem reasonably professional enough to not want to cover it all up either.

Our task now is to get network rail to put in writing that they are treating/managing the knotweed. Once we have that in writing it should help things move along ok.

[Guest]

We've had the same problem. Network rail had been very helpful and responsive. They came twice last year to treat it and they said they will be coming twice again over the next 3 years to ensure it has completely died off.

However, they can only treat the ones on their property.

[Tallulahdoesthehula]

Chopping it down encourages growth and increases the problem.

You need to have it professionally treated, get the experts in ASAP as there are limited times of the year it can be treated.

Once treated there is a long gap between treatment and all clear, think the treatment needs repeating.

The property information form specifically mentions this, a dishonest answer is am offence.

If you can delay moving until it's sorted you should - most (if not all) lenders will not lend on a house with JKW

Good luck