Japanese knotweed at our old house

[Funky1985]

Hi wise mums,

I'm wondering if anyone else has been in this situation that we now find ourselves in? It is causing great stress so i'm hoping someone has some advice.

We sold our old house almost 3 years ago now and over the last few months we have been contacted by a solicitor representing the people who bought our house saying that Japanese Knotweed has been found in the garden. They are saying we sold them the house knowing that the knotweed is there but didn't tell them - this is not the case! Now they are saying they will drop the case if we pay them £25k to cover the work needed?!?!

Firstly we didn't know there was knotweed present. Secondly we can't afford a solicitor to represent us. And thirdly we don't have anywhere near that sort of money anyway!

Of course we have responded to them in the past to say we knew nothing about it and should they contact the people that we bought the house from but they just keep coming back saying we have to pay them or it will be taken to court.

Can anyone offer any sort of advice here please?

Thank you

I'm staggered at some of the posts on here which demonstrate what utter scum bags some people are. So two years after they bought the property and having surveys done, the purchase is on the basis of caveat emptor. So unless there is evidence that on the balance of probabilities you were dishonest on the pre sale documentation they haven't a hope in hell

Japanese knotweed is a prolific plant that can grow up to 10 cm per day!! It has been known to spread 3-4 metres in 10 weeks and it is obvious when you have it unless you never go in your garden. So they have definitely got it well after they bought your house.

Check your house and other insurances as often people buy bolt on legal cover for nominal amounts. This is a defensive cover which is what you need but in reality they have paid a solicitor to just do a try on for them.

Tell them you have no knowledge and suggest they proceed to make a claim in the county court. They will have to issue a notice before claim which is a formal process separate to the bollocksy letters they are sending you

All the best

Also have you still got the photos from when you sold your house? Rightmove sometimes keep them. If the garden picture is there, you could use that as evidence.

They will have to prove

1. that they asked about knotweed during the sale process and you said there was none
2. that (on the balance of probabilities) you knew there was knotweed and were lying

Doesn’t sound like they have a hope in hell of proving either. I doubt they will take you to court but if they do it will likely get thrown out quickly.

You don't have to prove you didn't know. They have to prove that you did know and lied when they asked you about it.