Japanese knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) is a very invasive plant with distinctive red stems and flat leaves. It was first introduced to Britain in the 19^th Century as an ornamental garden plant but has since been allowed to grow wild.

It grows very quickly and can reach heights of four metres. Its roots can stretch three metres deep and extend seven metres in all directions.

Japanese knotweed is extremely difficult to remove once it’s on your land. If even the smallest piece of root is left in the soil, the weed will re-grow very quickly.

Japanese knotweed spreads very quickly and its roots are strong enough to break through concrete. It can cause serious damage to buildings and drainage systems if it’s not kept under control

It can be a big problem for homeowners because:

• It’s expensive to remove properly
• It can damage property if not taken care of
• It reduces property value and can make a house harder to sell

Even if it hasn’t caused any physical damage, having it on your land can seriously reduce the value of your property because it’s so difficult and expensive to remove – and leaving it is not an option, because of the future damage it will cause.

We’ve seen cases where surveyors have even valued a property at zero because of the effects of Japanese knotweed. Although this is an extreme example, it demonstrates the damage the plant can do.

Because it spreads so quickly, Japanese knotweed often affects many properties at the same time, especially if they are next to a large area of untended land. If this is the case, making a group claim can be the most effective way to ensure a successful result.

Joining a group claim with other homeowners means you can pool your evidence together to create a stronger case. It can also help keep costs down.

Successfully removing knotweed can cost thousands. If your claim is successful the responsible landowner may be ordered to sort out removal themselves or you may be awarded compensation to cover the treatment.

Compensation can also cover the cost of repairing any damage already done to your property.

In a recent case against Network Rail, the judge also awarded compensation to reflect how much the property value had been affected by the knotweed problem, even once treatment had been carried out.

Whatever the circumstances of your case, we’ll fight to get you the best settlement that reflects the full damage done to your property and its future value.

If Japanese Knotweed has spread onto your property because another landowner hasn’t controlled it on their land, your claim will probably be against them. Depending on the circumstances of your case, this might be a neighbour or a larger organisation like a railway company.

When you’re buying a property, the seller has an obligation to tell you if there’s a Japanese Knotweed problem. If they didn’t, we could help you make a claim against them. We could also help you make a claim against the surveyor if they failed to identify it in their surveys of the property.

Whatever the circumstances of your claim, we’ll help you identify those responsible and take action.

Our lawyers have extensive experience in group claims and are ranked in the leading legal guides. We have the expertise to help you bring a successful claim with other people similarly affected by knotweed.

We're a national firm, meaning we can help you wherever you are in the country. 

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