Japanese knotweed help!

[Jnw113]

Ok, situations not too great here. Got neighbours that really have no respect for others, noise, swearing, drinking etc. Complained (very nicely) on a number of occasions and they apologise and tell you they’ll sort things out but never do. They throw lit cigarettes over the fence, kids throw toys, bits of wood, broken glass etc. I usually laugh about it and throw it all back. BUT....today I’ve been gardening, and had to cut back lots of weeds growing through, and noticed that we have quite a few Japanese knotweed shoots coming over the boundary. I’ve looked online and it says I have rights regarding invasion onto my property from this troublesome weed, but nowhere can I find what I actually do about it. They have quite a large amount of this weed in their garden (pretty sure they don’t care as they have big dogs and never clean up after them), so what do I do? Doesn’t seem right that I have to pay for removal, but can’t see a way round it as they are all on benefits and don’t have the money to pay for things like this.....what do I do? They own the house outright as son inherited it from his parents, but nobody works so no spare cash..lol, anyone any idea where I stand?

Can you go on your local council website and find a section for reporting neighbours?

I did this for some waste left in my connecting neighbours garden causing vermin

I’m pretty sure they are committing an offense by allowing it to spread to your property. It’s likely to be a problem if you want to sell your house so you should set about getting it sorted. Generally you would have a management plan set out by a knotweed specialist and a treatment programme to eradicate it. You should probably start by asking them about how they are intending to control the knotweed, and if you get nowhere in discussion I think you can get the council involved

Get a PCA approved company to do a survey. If there's no knotweed growing in your boundary then they'll state this.

If the knotweed eventually grows within your boundary then it has obviously come from your neighbours and you can use this report as proof and take legal action.

Also you can get the PCA approved surveyor to give your neighbours a copy of this report and write them a letter advising them of their obligation to control it.

Just to add - the fact that they own the house mortgage free means that you'll be in a prime position to make a claim from them for the costs and, if you win, ultimately put a charge on their house if they do not pay.