Japanese knotweed, it makes me shudder and convulse at the thought of the cost and hassle of its eradication, it's basically an unkillable triffid that.
I've already paid out hundreds for one set of failed treatment and as a landlord I hate wasting money especially on weeding.
Now it's grown back and Ive just received an email with two quotes for the treatment of it from the letting agent, one for £3,200 +vat, yes that's right four grand to remove a plant and the other quote of £898.
Now the question is why are these two quotes so different? I mean four times different.
I have a very simple goal in all this, to get rid of a plant, so do I pay £4000 or £900?
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Japanese knotweed landlord hell
Labels:
celebrity landlord,
property management
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
I had same problem did not realise what it was until it grew through a concrete wall.
I got advice via dept of environment website, treated it with systemic weedkiller and covered all areas with heavy duty black plastic sheeting. followed up by weedkiller during summer months. taken 3 years but have managed to eradicate most of it and costs were neglible just frequent visits to the property during the summer. I still have it covered with black plastic and will leave it there for another 2 years.
Thanks anonymous, The more I read, the more concerned I get about this dratted weed. Curse that Japanese Knotweed.
Japanse knot weed is not that difficult to kill with standard chemicals - its just that the rhizome that is under the soil grows in stages.
You kill the leaves and shoots on the surface but there may be 2-3 years of un-sprouted rhizome buried, just keep returning and spraying it.
Even after you think you have killed it off, go back and check every month or so. It can take what seems forever - years in fact.
The quote for £4000 is to remove the soil down to a deep depth and dispose of it correctly, so removing the problem completly. The quote for just under £1000 is to spray it for several months if not a few years.
Knot weed will destroy anything in its path.
Having worked for the local council destroying this stuff I see it everywhere I go. People think its harmless until its coming through their floor.
If there is one that is backed up with a warranty, I would probably advise going for that.
Knotweed removal usually involves checking to make sure it has been completely eradicated and should be checked for up to 5 years after the initial removal.
Just keep applying a really strong weedkiller like roundup or a something that rots tree stumps. Keep applying every so often and you'll kill it. I cut the tops off and pured it down the insides and it seemed to work.
First discovered this knotweed growing through an external wall of a property...I guess this is not a good sign, fortunately it is the neighbouring property that is liable to deal with this terrible plant.
Apparently it is actually a criminal offence if the weed grows outside the boundary of your property and you can be reported to the police ! !
Its a weed that can topple buildings so do be careful and make sure that it is dealt with correctly by your neighbour Raydon.
This plant is 'Day of the Triffids' come to life.
And you are correct in saying that you can be prosecuted if it is not dealt with. You may find that you can take action against your neighbour.
Fortunately, the WEED is growing on a neigbouring property so pressed things via Occupiers Liability and they are using a specialist company to deal with this WEED they have been told it will take around 3 years to kill off.
Noted that in many cases structural damage will not be covered by your Buildings Insurance, as seen as a gradual defect caused over time.
It is not a criminal offence to have this stuff growing on your land , only if it encroaches over your boundaries.
It is also an offence to dispose of this plant in the refuse or to take off site ....
The Environmental Protection Agent advised that it would not do at all to take a cutting and plant it on the land belonging to the annoying merchant banker who insists in flying into our rural village in his flash helicopter.
Fortunately, the WEED is growing on a neigbouring property so pressed things via Occupiers Liability and they are using a specialist company to deal with this WEED they have been told it will take around 3 years to kill off.
Noted that in many cases structural damage will not be covered by your Buildings Insurance, as seen as a gradual defect caused over time.
It is not a criminal offence to have this stuff growing on your land , only if it encroaches over your boundaries.
It is also an offence to dispose of this plant in the refuse or to take off site ....
The Environmental Protection Agent advised that it would not do at all to take a cutting and plant it on the land belonging to the annoying merchant banker who insists in flying into our rural village in his flash helicopter.
Fortunately, the WEED is growing on a neigbouring property so pressed things via Occupiers Liability and they are using a specialist company to deal with this WEED they have been told it will take around 3 years to kill off.
Noted that in many cases structural damage will not be covered by your Buildings Insurance, as seen as a gradual defect caused over time.
It is not a criminal offence to have this stuff growing on your land , only if it encroaches over your boundaries.
It is also an offence to dispose of this plant in the refuse or to take off site ....
The Environmental Protection Agent advised that it would not do at all to take a cutting and plant it on the land belonging to the annoying merchant banker who insists in flying into our rural village in his flash helicopter.
Post a Comment