Jessica Thrower
Legal
Do I Need to be Worried About Bamboo?
Homeowners and potential buyers may already be aware of the potential damage that Japanese Knotweed can cause to properties.
However were you also aware that bamboo has become a growing concern for homeowners and buyers?
Bamboo is a woody grass not native to Europe and the UK, however a recent episode of BBC Morning Live highlighted how invasive these plants can be and how much they can spread, if left unmanaged.
Whilst some homeowners use bamboo for the purpose of privacy screening, many do not realise that rapid growth of roots are invasive, aggressive, and often carry damaging consequences. This can ultimately affect the value of your property, with remedial costs often running into thousands of pounds.
There are currently no regulations imposed in the UK for bamboo and whilst you do not have the right to insist on the removal of the plant, if located in a neighbour’s garden, you can request for it to be cut down.
A video for more information is available on the BBC website: BBC One – Morning Live, Why is bamboo causing problems for homeowners?
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Jessica Thrower
Sophie Williamson
Dawn Verney, Associate in our Residential Property team, said:
“The BBC morning live show was inciteful and identified the issues with the varieties of bamboo which cause damage, primarily referred to as being of the running variety. Roots of the running variety, particularly those with rhizome, can often grow, creep, and spread several meters a year, causing damage to a patio, decking, drains, often crossing boundaries and causing damage to neighbouring land. It can also affect the structural integrity of properties. Awareness of the effects, which Bamboo can have, is key, to ensure that prompt action and remedial works can be undertaken before treatment and costs spiral out of control.
It is crucial that properly trained experts are engaged to deal with the excavation and removal of the bamboo roots, along with continued monitoring, to ensure adequate treatment and future preventative measures have been put in place.
If you are a homeowner or a potential buyer and you have any concerns about the presence of a bamboo, please bring this to our attention when engaging our services at Mullis & Peake LLP, so that we can make enquiries on your behalf. We would strongly recommend that you also discuss this issue with your surveyor.”