Knotweed in my neighbour's garden

[user476t58]

Is there any recourse for knotweed that is left untreated in my neighbour's garden? That property is owned by a housing association and they don't care about the knotweed. Five years ago they came and concreted over the back garden next door but that didn't erradicate the knotweed, it's breaking through all over but mainly on the fence-line. At this time of year it's growing at a phenomenal rate. I am worried about damage to my house as we're in a terrace. I spoke to the council but they're not interested either. Is there anything I can do about this or am I stuck with just cutting it back every week? Another property further along the terrace has it also & they're HA owned also but the owner at least cuts it regularly. I believe knotweed is also in the gardens of properties facing us from the next street too. I'm stressed & worried.

You could probably get a court order requiring them to take steps to eradicate it. Maybe try speaking with your home insurer to see if you have legal expenses cover and if so whether they would cover taking such action?

I think you might be able to contact the environment agency for advice about this. Your home insurance should also help you.

Spray the knotweed that comes through your side with Roundup from any garden centre, it comes in a trigger spray bottle ready mixed

Keep it well clear of other plants, use a jet rather than a fine spray

Inject it with a syringe. The strong stump killer. Best chance of killing it.

But that will only manage the edges. It needs dealing with properly.

www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-japanese-knotweed-from-spreading

If it's spreading they need to sort it.

If its escaping from your neighbours garden then they have to deal with it. If it escapes into the wild then they get prosecuted. If it goes onto council land then the council lega.ly has to deal with it. They can't ignore it so kick up a fuss in all directions.

www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-japanese-knotweed-from-spreading

I have had knotweed on my property and spoken to lots of experts because of it.
Cutting it is entirely the wrong thing to do. It just forces the underground rhizomes to spread outwards.
It goes against the grain but the very best way to get rid of it is to let it grow all season to put on lots of leafy growth enabling it to absorb lots of the Glyphosate that you spray it with in in the Autumn.
It is not an offence to have knotweed on your property but it is an offence to allow it to spread so as suggested get some legal advice.

I don't have the funds to start a legal action. I've put it in writing with photos to the housing association but they're not interested.

There are no win no fee lawyers who specialise in knotweed cases (Google brings up a few). Might be worth speaking to one of them for advice then maybe let HA & neighbours know you are seeking legal advice.

This! Don't cut it, it will just produce even more growth and you risk spreading it further from bits that you've cut off. Spray in autumn with super strong glyphosate. It will take several years to knock it back though, it's not an instant fix.

And never put it in garden compost or council green waste, it needs to be burnt or put in with normal rubbish.

Cutting knotweed just spreads it so
you making it worse if you’ve been cutting it.

I understand that. I meant linking the governments website and emphasising that they could be prosecuted. Copy the council and environmental health into the same email. Google "who prosecutes for japanese knotweed" as it brings up some interesting links for newspapers and solicitors comments. You might be able to copy/paste some of it into your emails.

Seeing somebody get an £18,000 fine might wake them up
www.localgov.co.uk/Council-secures-UKs-first-Japanese-Knotweed-prosecution-/46516

You can eat it.