We're sure you've seen lots of these news stories over the year, but today we're bringing you a report from the BBC, detailing how a homeowner in Bristol has been fined £18,000 for failing to get rid of Japanese knotweed that was growing in the garden! This is a tale we see all too often here at Taylor Total Weed Control. Homeowners purchase a property and don't really know what Japanese knotweed is or what to look for. To find out what happened to this homeowner in Bristol, just keep reading...
Bristol City Council started proceedings against MB Estates Limited - a housing association that owns houses in Horfield where the Japanese knotweed was growing. Seven homeowners reported the troublesome weed after noticing it growing on the property near or next door to theirs. While the company wasn't available to comment on the events that led to their prosecution, the BBC was able to get in touch with a local resident, Aimie King, who bought her house on Ash Road back in 2007.
She said she noticed "big green plants growing next door" that were about 8 feet high, but initially, she didn't know what they were. The infestation wasn't mentioned on the housing survey, so no one knew that it was a potential problem. When describing the extent of the problem, King said, "It's just like a forest. We just googled the plant and we realised what it was and what a problem the plant could be. I've literally seen pictures of it growing up through people's floorboards."
The problem escalated for several years before a law came into place called the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This allowed the council to take action. The firm that owned the offending home had ignored a community protection notice back in 2017, so it had shown no willingness to address the problem. Based on this, the firm was prosecuted a Bristol Magistrates' Court.
MB Estates Limited didn't show up at court to attend the hearing, and they didn't respond to the council notice either. They were fined £18,000 and ordered to pay the legal costs and the fine within 28 days of the prosecution.
Avoid prosecution with Taylor Total Weed Control
If you suspect Japanese knotweed on your property, it's vital that you get it dealt with quickly. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a court of law over the infestation! Similarly, if like Ms. King, you can see a Japanese knotweed infestation on a neighbouring property, be sure to report it right away. If that infestation spreads onto your land, you could be owed significant compensation!
Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we offer a wide range of Japanese knotweed services to help you get Japanese knotweed infestations (or court cases) under control. Take a look at some of the Japanese knotweed services we offer below or contact us to discuss your concerns today!
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