Japanese Knotweed UK Law

The government has introduced a number of Japanese knotweed laws and regulations surrounding the control, growth and transportation of Japanese Knotweed in order to protect homeowners, businesses and the environment alike. These laws have been put into legislation slowly over the years as a reaction to the growing spread of invasive plant species in the UK.

Introduced from Japan in 1850, Japanese Knotweed is one of the most pernicious weeds in the UK. In its native habitat, Japanese Knotweed is a pioneer species found typically on Volcanic Iarva. Reproduced rapidly via tiny fragments of its rhizome, the weeds of Japanese Knotweed can grow up to 10cm a day and in just 10 weeks its stems can reach 3-4 metres in height.

Related: Where is Japanese knotweed in the UK?

Understanding your legal responsibilities in regards to knotweed growing on your land is crucial should you wish to avoid an unexpected date in court or a run-in with your local council.

See our outstanding reviews below to learn more about the cases we’ve helped win.

Evidence from a recent government report suggests that if a knotweed infestation remains untreated then losses of up to 10% can be incurred. Even if the knotweed is treated and removed, losses can still be between 6-9%.

If you’re new to Knotweed help, we are Japanese Knotweed specialists. Experts in Japanese Knotweed law, we’re keen to provide you with clear legal advice and assistance relating to your japanese knotweed issue.

See our reviews page to learn about some of the Japanese knotweed-related cases we’ve won for our clients.

Japanese Knotweed UK Law

Under UK Law, Japanese knotweed is legally classed as a controlled plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 114 (2) (WCA 1981). It is not illegal for you to have Japanese knotweed on your property, but it is against UK law to cause or allow the plant to spread in the wild. It is legal to have Japanese Knotweed on your property but you can be prosecuted or given a community protection notice for causing a nuisance if you allow it to spread onto anyone else’s property.

Unfortunately, there’s endless swathes of misinformation relating to Japanese knotweed law. This issue is exacerbated by sellers lying about Japanese knotweed and by a lack of transparency within the Japanese knotweed removal industry.

One study by YouGov found that only 49% of those aware of the plant know that property owners are legally responsible for preventing the spread of their knotweed plant. This shows that it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of Japanese Knotweed UK law when dealing with the perennial plant.

Laws Controlling Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed new legislation

Under new Japanese knotweed legislation, Homeowners failing to control Japanese Knotweed on their property can be prosecuted and fined up to £2,500. This is due to new Home Office rules and regulations relating to anti-social behaviour being introduced in 2014 that include new laws around Knotweed amongst other invasive species such as the Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

These new Japanese knotweed laws have been added to pre-existing laws relating to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, and join older legislation such as the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Japanese knotweed anti-social behaviour law

In 2014, a decision was made to include the negligent cultivation of invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed into the remit of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. Under the powers of this act police and local council authorities have the power to issue individuals and businesses with Community Protection Notices.

These notices are only reserved for those who persistently or continually act in a way that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.

This notice could require the recipient to make reasonable efforts to remove the knotweed from their property or prevent the knotweed from returning. Failure to meet the requirements of this notice, without a reasonable excuse, could be treated as a criminal offence making the recipient liable to a fixed penalty notice or prosecution, which could lead to a further hefty fine.

Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990)

Besides the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, the main legislation that identifies and controls Japanese knotweed is the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA 1981).

The EPA 1990 sets out the appropriate methods of removing, transporting and disposing of ‘controlled waste’, defining this as any soil or plant materials contaminated with Japanese knotweed that you discard, or are planning on discarding. The Act makes it an offence to deposit any contaminated soil in an irresponsible fashion. In short, if you have knotweed on your land and you’re looking to dispose of it, you’ll need to follow the correct procedure should you wish to avoid a hefty fine.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

The EPA 1990 is supported by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which states that ‘if any person plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any plant which is included in Part II of Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence’. Japanese knotweed is listed as one of these plants in Schedule 9, offenders may face a £5000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment, or 2 years and/or an unlimited fine on indictment. These may sound like heavy penalties, but it serves to demonstrate how seriously the law treats the spread of Japanese knotweed and is intended to deter citizens from giving this plant free reign to grow on their land.

Find out more about the legality of dealing with Japanese Knotweed by reading our in-depth guides.

Bought A Property With Japanese Knotweed

If you’ve discovered Japanese knotweed on your own property then you’ll have a few options open to you regarding remunerations, depending on the context of your discovery of the infestation. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that your home insurance will cover Japanese knotweed, so you will not be able to rely on it to financially support the removal of the Japanese knotweed or any damage caused to your home.

In the event that you have discovered knotweed on a property that you have purchased after a survey or TA6 property form stated otherwise, then you may be able to claim against the property surveyor or the previous owner of the property for the costs of the knotweed treatment. In the case where you have bought a property with the knowledge of the infestation then you will be liable for the costs of treatment.

Learn More: Bought a property with Japanese knotweed

Japanese Knotweed Growing In Neighbour’s Garden

If you have discovered knotweed next door but the plant is yet to spread to your property, then your options for legal action against your neighbour are limited.

Talking to the person responsible for the land should be your first port of call before taking any further action. Open up a discussion with your neighbour, letting them know that knotweed is present on their property. In some cases, it may be that the neighbour is renting and the landlord is simply unaware that they have an infestation on their hands.

If your neighbour has allowed Japanese knotweed to spread into your garden, you should inform them of this. If they do not take reasonable steps to control the knotweed after they’ve been informed of the infestation, then you should be able to appeal for a Community Protection Notice from your local authority to force them to do so.

Learn More: Japanese Knotweed Growing In Neighbour’s Garden

Property Seller Lied About Japanese Knotweed

Research reported by The Independent has suggested that the discovery of Japanese knotweed can have a major impact on the house buying process. It’s estimated that 75% of buyers are put off when they discover that Japanese knotweed is present.

Considering the damaging effect that it can have on house prices, it’s hardly surprising that some unethical sellers might choose to lie about the presence of Japanese knotweed on their property. Those that do so risk serious legal complications which may cost them more than a quick sale ever could make them.

Learn More: Property Seller Lied About Japanese Knotweed

Surveyor Missed Japanese Knotweed

Property surveyors are not infallible, their mistakes can lead to buyers purchasing properties under the impression that their home is free of faults, when in fact the opposite is true. The presence of Japanese knotweed can lead to a home being devalued by up to 5% which can be a difference of thousands of pounds for homeowners.

RICS surveyors should keep up to date with the current guidelines in relation to invasive plants if they miss Japanese knotweed on a survey then they may be sued for professional negligence.

Learn More: Has your surveyor missed Japanese knotweed?

Reporting Japanese Knotweed

After positive identification has been made of any Japanese knotweed infestation, it becomes necessary for other parties to be notified of the problem so that they have the opportunity to respond. In most Japanese knotweed compensation claims, legal action cannot be pursued until all parties have been informed of the infestation. Notifying authorities of Japanese knotweed on public land can also help to prevent the ongoing spread of the plant.

Learn More: Reporting Japanese Knotweed

Buying A House With Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed has been estimated to affect up to 1.45 million homes throughout the UK, which amounts to approximately 5% of residential properties; with that in mind homebuyers have a distinct possibility of being presented with a home that is either currently affected by the invasive plant or has been in the past.

Whether buyers are told about a property’s checkered past upfront or are left to make their own discovery after a survey has been taken, it’s worth understanding how Japanese knotweed affects homeownership and a property’s value.

Learn More: Buying A House With Japanese Knotweed

Selling A Property With Japanese Knotweed

Since being introduced to Britain in the early 19th century, Japanese knotweed has spread far and wide across the country, with very few corners of the land remaining unaffected. It has been labelled as an invasive plant by the government, and due to its incredible hardy qualities, has become a bane for homeowners who are looking to sell their properties.

Selling a house with Japanese knotweed is by no means easy, but can be done as long as the correct course is taken and the seller remains proactive and honest with all parties involved.

Learn More: Selling A Property With Japanese Knotweed

Building On Land With Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed can cause financial difficulties to both homeowners and building developers, especially when plans have been made to build on land that is home to the invasive plant. Despite Japanese knotweed now being well-documented, homeowners and builders alike are still being presented by new scenarios which require legal guidance.

Whilst there have been several precedents set in recent years which have solidified certain aspects of Japanese knotweed law, it’s not uncommon for landowners to be unsure of where they stand when it comes to building on land with Japanese knotweed.

Learn More: Building On Land With Japanese Knotweed

Getting A Mortgage With Japanese Knotweed

The discovery of a Japanese knotweed infestation can make selling a house a difficult proposition, this is largely due to the historically cautious approach that mortgage lenders have taken to homes affected by the plant.

Whilst it is possible to get a mortgage on a property with Japanese knotweed, you may find that you will have to take some extra measures in order to prove to the bank that their money is safe with you.

Learn More: Getting A Mortgage With Japanese Knotweed

House Insurance and Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed can have a negative impact on the value of your property, not to mention causing conflict between neighbours and causing stress in your day-to-day life. Discovering a knotweed infestation can also lead to some very expensive costs, which many might wish to alleviate by relying on their home insurance.

Unfortunately, making a claim on your home insurance after discovering Japanese knotweed is not always straightforward, or even possible, in some cases.

Learn More: House Insurance and Japanese Knotweed

FAQs

Is it illegal to have Japanese knotweed?

It is not illegal to have Japanese Knotweed on your property.  Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, you will not be breaking the law until Japanese knotweed from your land spreads into another’s property or onto public land. As this plant is such a fast grower, it is usually only a matter of time before this happens and your troubles multiply.

Should you wish to legally build on land with Japanese knotweed then you will need to follow a few steps, to ensure that you’re not held liable years down the line. It’s important that plant is taken into consideration in the planning process, and that every effort is made to remove the plant and prevent it from further spreading.

Who is legally responsible for clearing Japanese knotweed?

Deciding who is responsible for clearing the Japanese knotweed should be the first step to take after the positive Japanese Knotweed identification of the plant. According to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is the responsibility of the landowner to prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed into the wild, or neighbouring properties.

There is no legal stipulation to clear Japanese knotweed from one’s land however, if the plant is allowed to spread from your land onto a neighbouring property then you will be responsible for clearing that infestation. It must be proved that the knotweed originated on your land in order for you to be held responsible for clearing it, as in the case of Smith v Line. In this case, the defendant (Miss Line) was found to be preventing the claimants’ enjoyment of their land by not treating her knotweed infestation, she was ordered to treat the infestation on her own land and pay the claimants’ legal fees.

How can you get rid of Japanese knotweed legally?

Allowing Japanese knotweed or soil contaminated with the plant to spread into the wild is an offence and could result in a fine of up to £5000, or a prison sentence of up to 2 years. It’s important that you either supervise the disposal of the infestation yourself, or hire a specialist to take responsibility for it. Trustworthy firms that you can rely on will belong to trade bodies such as the Property Care Association (PCA) or the Invasive Non-Native Specialists Association.

How can you legally prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed?

You are legally required to prevent Japanese knotweed on your land spreading into the wild, or onto neighbouring land. Japanese knotweed spreads via the transferral of contaminated soil, or the unlawful tipping of cuttings.

You will be liable for the spread of the plant even if you have attempted to stop its spread by composting or burying it. Japanese knotweed is a resilient plant that can often persist through adverse conditions, so it’s imperative that your treatments are thorough and effective.

The Property Care Association has put together a comprehensive document detailing the best practice for the three key methods of preventing the spread of the plant.

How do you use a waste carrier to take Japanese knotweed off-site?

If you’re planning on moving knotweed, or knotweed contaminated soil, off-site then you must use a registered waste carrier and ensure that the waste is taken to a licensed landfill site. These registered carriers are still bound by the law in regards to disposing Japanese knotweed and must not dispose of waste along with surplus soil, or sell any contaminated soil.

Before you transfer any knotweed contaminated waste you must warn the waste site that you are about to transport an invasive plant and confirm that they have the correct permit to deal with the plant. Ensure that any waste is also covered or enclosed within the vehicles that you’re using for the task.

After you transfer Japanese knotweed waste, you should thoroughly inspect your vehicle after moving Japanese knotweed waste with it, this includes brushing down the body, jet-washing tyres and ensuring that there are no remains of the plant trapped within the vehicle.

What laws govern spraying Japanese knotweed with chemicals?

There are a few proven methods of managing Japanese knotweed. If you’re planning on digging up and removing your knotweed manually then you’ll need to adhere to the aforementioned waste legislations laid out in the Environment Protection Act 1990 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1984.

Using herbicide sprays to remove Japanese knotweed is not an instant fix, depending on the size of the infestation it may take up to 3 years for the treatment to soak down into the rhizomes underground. Before you begin treatment you should ensure that the person spraying holds a certificate of competence for herbicide use, or works under the supervision of someone who has one. You’ll also need to ensure that you keep in mind the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. These regulations require any person using pesticide to take all reasonable precautions in order to protect the health of their fellow human beings, other creatures and plants.

If your infestation happens to be close to a water source you’ll need to apply for approval from the Environment Agency. You may also need to get permission from Natural England, in cases where the land you’re treating is protected.

Are you legally allowed to bury Japanese knotweed?

You are only allowed to bury your Japanese knotweed waste on your land if you have permission from the Environment Agency; you should leave at least a week’s notice to inform them. Usually, you will be advised to take your waste to a landfill that has the requisite permit to deal with the plant.

In the event where you are granted permission to bury your Japanese knotweed waste on your own land then you must adhere to a handful of guidelines to ensure that the plant does not make a resurgence once more. Burying waste at a depth of at least 5 metres and then covering the remains with a root barrier membrane layer is advised. A depth of 2 metres is acceptable, but in this case you must wrap the remains completely in the membrane layer. In both cases, you should not bury any other types of waste with it.

Can you burn Japanese knotweed legally?

Burning Japanese knotweed is one method of removing an infestation, however, you must ensure that you have effectively removed every part of the plant from your land beforehand, otherwise your infestation will return again.

Business owners should give the Environment Agency a week’s notice before burning knotweed and should also inform the environmental health officer at their local council. You’ll need an environmental permit or registered waste exemption before you start burning your Japanese knotweed waste.

If you’re a private landowner then you do not need to ask permission from the Environment Agency, but you might want to check with your local council that you’re allowed to go ahead with burning your knotweed. Japanese knotweed crown and rhizomes (which make up the roots of the plant) can survive burning. Any remains should still be treated as controlled waste and be disposed of accordingly.

Can you legally remove Japanese knotweed yourself?

Whilst removing Japanese knotweed yourself is legal, it is incredibly difficult to do so thoroughly. If you do not remove every last trace of knotweed, it can grow back and spread even further. This is why we recommend hiring a PCA accredited specialist to get your knotweed treated and your legal matters if you have any, resolved quickly.

What should I do if I find Japanese knotweed?

If you find Japanese knotweed on your land then you should take care to isolate the area and establish how much of your property has been affected by the plant. The next step is to determine where the plant came from and the extent to which the plant affects the property.

The best way of doing this is by getting a professional evaluation of the Japanese knotweed. A professional evaluation and survey will be able to answer the questions that you have and give you an idea of the actions that you’ll need to take to get rid of the infestation.

If you’ve more questions about Japanese knotweed legislation or are seeking further legal advice in regards to a Knotweed infestation then please don’t hesitate in calling us on 07595 653 226 or sending us a message using the contact form.