Japanese knotweed has been plaguing homeowners since the 19th century, and it doesn't look like it'll be slowing down anytime soon. Landowners who leave Japanese knotweed untreated are usually the root cause of the problem. One minute the Japanese knotweed is contained to their land, and the next it crops up in all the gardens in the street!
If you find Japanese knotweed on your property (and you know you didn't put it there), then the first thing that you'll want to get to the bottom of is where it came from and who's responsible for it. Japanese knotweed can cause structural damage, reduce the value of your home and is expensive to remove so there's no doubt that you'll want to make a compensation claim as soon as possible.
Making a Japanese knotweed claim
There are quite a few different circumstances that could leave you entitled to a Japanese knotweed compensation claim:
- The owner of property next door has allowed the knotweed to spread in a careless manner.
- The person who sold you the property knew about the Japanese knotweed problem and failed to do anything about it.
- The knotweed has spread into your property from a nearby railway line (in this case the rail companies would be liable).
- The surveyor that surveyed your property prior to your purchase failed to spot the Japanese knotweed problem.
If you can relate to any of the above scenarios then you might be in a good position to start a Japanese knotweed compensation claim. So, where do you start?
Seeking professional help
The first thing you need to do if you suspect you've got Japanese knotweed encroaching on your property is to call out an expert to survey the problem.
Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we offer a free, confidential survey as part of our expert witness service. This is a comprehensive service that we offer to people who are thinking about (or in the process of) making a Japanese knotweed compensation claim.
What does the expert witness service include?
- Legal advice from our team of experts
- Cost estimation for the treatment needed
- Preparation of legal documents for solicitors
- Impact and risk assessments
Our Expert Witness Service >
Japanese knotweed compensation claims FAQs:
How often are Japanese knotweed compensation claims successful?
When it's been proven that Japanese knotweed has encroached on your property from a neighbouring source, it's highly likely that your compensation claim will go through successfully. We've recently heard of a homeowner who was able to claim over £30,000 in compensation after a knotweed problem on an adjoining property was left untreated. This goes to show that Japanese knotweed is no joke and will be taken seriously in a court of law.
What can I do if the knotweed source is on my property?
If you have Japanese knotweed on your property that hasn't yet spread to neighbouring land, then it's important that you get the infestation treated quickly. In the spring & summer months, Japanese knotweed will spread rapidly, and you could be faced with a private nuisance order if you let it affect properties around you. We also offer an insurance backed guarantee that means your property will be treated, monitored and re-treated as necessary. This can save you a whole lot of money later down the line!
Professional Japanese Knotweed Treatments >
If you have any questions about Japanese knotweed compensation, how to make claim, our expert witness services, or our professional Japanese knotweed treatments, don't hesitate to get in touch. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Is It Japanese Knotweed?