I won £50,000 after surveyor failed to spot hidden danger in garden – here’s what to look out for
A HOMEOWNER has won £50,000 after a surveyor failed to spot a hidden danger in the garden – this is what you need to look out for.
Paul Ryb recently bought a two-story property in Highgate, north London, which boasts a large corner garden.
The former investment banker splashed out £1.3million on the home before hiring a surveyor to make sure it was safe to live in.
Paul, who has impaired eyesight, was told by the professional his garden was in “excellent condition”.
However, he failed to spot a clump of Japanese knotweed – which can be harmful to other plants and kill them.
It is also the law to declare any presence of the plant when moving into or selling a home.
And if the knotweed was left to grow, it could have taken over the whole garden.
Paul was then forced to spend £10,000 clearing the area of the “invasive” plant.
He told The Guardian: “I didn’t know what it was.
“My mum had come down to do a bit of gardening, and she looked out of the kitchen and said: ‘What have you done? You’ve got knotweed. You’re an idiot.’”
Paul then took the surveyor to court over the plant which has been in Britain since the 19th century.
He was successfully awarded £50,000 in damages.
The court recognised Paul’s huge outgoing to try and clear the problem and also the interference on his property.
The court said it affected his “ability to use and enjoy the land”.
Rodger Burnett, the lawyer who looked after Paul’s case, had discovered knotweed at his London home before specialising in the law.
Professionals tasked with removing Japanese knotweed often have to wear PPE to keep themselves safe.
The most common signs of knotweed are small purple shoots which appear from the ground at a rapid rate.
If they grow too close to buildings, damage can also be done.