Property owner who allowed Japanese knotweed to spread found liable for all costs

Japanese knotweed is one of the world’s worst invasive species and strong growth can damage building, concrete foundations, roads, paving, flood defences and retaining walls.
 
In a landmark court case, a property owner who allowed Japanese knotweed to spread across her property to the extent that it put the value of an adjoining property at risk, was ordered by the County Court in Truro to employ Cornwall Council’s contractor, Cormac Solutions Limited, to implement a programme of remediation that may take 5 years.
 
The property owner was also required to pay substantial but undisclosed court costs. The case, which bears resemblance to a similar case against Network Rail in Wales, may set a precedent for those people who have knotweed on their land and allow it to spread to the extent that it puts adjoining property values at risk.
 
It is important to know the implications of having Japanese knotweed on your land and allowing it to spread to the extent that it puts adjoining property values at risk.

Written by our Conveyancing Team.

 
For further information and to discuss your specific circumstances with our conveyancing team, please contact us on 0208 574 2488 to book an initial no obligation free consultation.

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