Help - possibly evil plant!

[Didactylos]

Ive recently moved into a house which has a small blind ending back lane, shared privately between the houses that back onto it. Was putting out the bins the other night and noticed some plants growing in the lane that appeared to be an extension from a plant in the back garden facing ours , (eg under their fence, on the other side of the lane) and out of idle curiosity took a few pics as I couldn't identify it and it seemed pretty vigorous and fast growing.

Im sure you guess where this is going - Im about 99% certain that its Japanese knotweed, (timing of shoots, images, leaf shape etc all match and its not any plant I know that grows well wild here eg lilac, dogwood etc)
It seems to be established in the other garden (shared carpack/garden of a low rise block of flats) and has sent up shoots on the other side of the fence. This is at the end of the back lane, its about 10 metres from our property but closer to the flats, and close to another building that sits across the top of the lane (sheltered housing)

I wasn't sure what to do about it - my initial thought would to get someone round to confirm my suspicions and that if I am correct eradication would be best, but its on someone else's property (the shared flats) and the back lane is not ours alone but owned in common between about 8 houses, including the flats. I am not sure if the sheltered housing has any right of access or maintenance for the lane but they are the closest to the plants (about 2-3 metres from their wall) and so probably need to know about them too.
Initially I planned to go and talk to some of the neighbours? flats and sheltered complex´management, and then the others, explaining the issue and seeing if we could make a shared plan to get these plants checked, and potentially eradicate them. Should I offer to share costs: or would it be the responsibility of the flats on whos ground the knotweed is established and from where its sending out shoots?

any experiences and thoughts welcome, am going to post on Property DIY for traffic as well

[DoItTooJulia]

If it is Japanese knotweed, the cost of proper removal can be astronomical, so I'd be extremely wary of offering to contribute to its removal.

It's also wise to not disturb it so as not to spread it around.

It needs professionals. If look in your local council website to see if there's any advice there.

Awful stuff that can bring walls down, so I'm hoping for you it's not JK. Let us know how you get on!

[DoItTooJulia]

I'd look, that should say.

[Didactylos]

Our council only help with eradication if its on council owned/maintained land and our lane is definitely private. I'm not even taking a cutting off to get it identified, I was planning to get someone round to look at it in situ

The flats that have the established plant are reasonably new and I don't know much about them (eg whether they are rented or owner occupied) but thought getting their factor involved might help - I think its really their plant so their responsibility. Apparently here (Scotland) its not illegal to grow Japanese knotweed but its illegal to let it spread uncontrolled? Our house is about 10 metres from the plants so not in any immediate danger but the sheltered complex is much closer and likely to be involved sooner should the plants grow a few more seasons. I think given that I own now, being involved in the eradication plan would be sensible as I could make sure of an appropriate company, followup and guarantees but I am very keen not to be the sole bearer of any costs: its a communal lane and so all parties should really be involved in any upkeep/decision making

[DoItTooJulia]

But do the council offer any advice or have specialist contractors that they Authorise? Or is Environment Agency? I'm not familiar with the rules in Scotland (sorry!) but Here's the link I was thinking of: www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-japanese-knotweed-from-spreading#prevent-the-spread-of-japanese-knotweed

Not sure if it's relevant to you.

As un-neighbourly as it sounds if not be offering to help. It's a minefield. I'd keep an eye on it and approach your LA/EA For advice-if or does spread there is a legal notice that can force the owners of the land to deal with it.

Good luck, and good spot!

[Didactylos]

sadly no contractors or council approved eradication services- I checked
other thread ive updated, have spoken to some residents of the flats (who are all nuns) and theyve had had eradication work done before. they were planning to speak to their building manager/factor and get them to assess it as soon as possible

[Didactylos]

its not on our land so ill leave the info with them and see what is said