JAPANESE KNOTWEED MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 LONDON North London South London JAPANESE KNOTWEED MANAGEMENT PLAN (Not Valid - Proposal Only) SOUTH Brighton Southampton Exeter MIDLANDS Birmingham Norwich Lincoln Baker Street Reading RG1 7XX NORTH Manchester Leeds Newcastle SCOTLAND Glasgow WALES Cardiff Conwy If you wish to order the Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) that includes the Insurance Backed Guarantee this KMP will need to include the receipted invoice for full payment and the dated Guarantee certificate. Once validated, this document will satisfy most UK mortgage lenders that there is a fully funded KMP in place. Reg No VAT Reg No Reg Office: Elysium Accountants, Suite 5, Brightwater House, Ringwood BH24 1AP

2 Page 2 For the attention of Chaney s Chartered Surveyors JKD /11/15 Thank you for contacting us. Japanese Knotweed is an invasive and resilient weed that can re-grow from the deep rooted rhizomes and re-emerge many years after treatment. In some cases it is possible that the very deep rooted Japanese knotweed rhizomes remain in a viable state, and may do so for up to twenty years or so. These rhizomes will eventually re-grow, especially if they get disturbed. If knotweed is left to grow untreated for a number of years it has the potential to cause damage to hard landscaping and buildings on your property and could also encroach into neighbouring properties. A property is considered as being affected by knotweed if it is found on the property or within 7 metres of the property boundary. To help understand and categorise the level of risk that the knotweed presents to the property, the Royal Institution of chartered surveyors (RICS) have created a risk table (see below). The area around the knotweed is referred to as the risk zone and its location in relation to the buildings should be formerly recorded and the risk category accurately assessed. A herbicide treatment programme is widely accepted as being an effective way to control and manage the spread of knotweed but it is unlikely to eradicate the deep underground rhizome system and this is an important note (especially for developers) because the Environment Agency state that any waste from ground containing knotweed (dead or alive) even after a specialist has been providing a herbicide treatment programme should be classified as controlled waste if removed from site. If you building an extension or hard landscaping you will need to consider the excavation of the knotweed contaminated ground. The remedial work should be carefully chosen in accordance to your plans, the location of the knotweed and the severity of the problem. The most professional and recognised approach is to implement a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP). A KMP is a document prepared by us, in good-faith and in accordance with the professional standards and guidelines generally recognised from time to time within the Japanese Knotweed treatment industry and in particular the code of practice for the management of Japanese Knotweed published and updated by the Property Care Association (PCA). Our KMP provides you with 10 years of professional management and meets the requirement of the majority of UK lenders. Survey and treatment programme: The 10 YEAR Knotweed Management Plan 1. Knotweed Survey - The survey drawing and findings accurately record the location and area of knotweed contamination and the level of risk it presents to the property in accordance to the table of risk provided by (RICS). 2. Initial Herbicide Treatment The initial treatment will be arranged as soon as possible. 3. Treatment Programme We will provide a three year treatment programme for the knotweed identified during the survey, which is indicated by the brown and purple shading on the drawing. We will also monitor and treat knotweed if it emerges anywhere within the subject property which is outlined by a dark blue line and light blue shading on the plan drawing Regrowth monitoring and completion: 4. Annual Monitoring Visits Following the treatment programme we will make annual monitoring visits to inspect for any regrowth of knotweed within the treatment area until we observe two growing seasons without regrowth. 5. Completion Certificate As soon as we achieve two years without regrowth of knotweed we will issue a completion certificate confirming the date that the treatment is complete. Insurance Backed Guarantee: 6. Guarantee A 5 year Guarantee (approved by the PCA) will be issued for the treatment works and commences after completion of the work. The Guarantee gives you peace of mind that if there is any re-growth of knotweed within the area shaded brown and purple on the drawing it will be treated at no extra charge. 7. Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) Specific Insurance for our Guarantee can be provided by Guarantee Protection Insurance Ltd (GPI Ltd) which will protect the guarantee if in the unlikely event the company ceases to trade. 8. Receipted invoice - A receipted invoice confirming and providing evidence to the lender that the KMP is fully funded and that the work has commenced.

3 Page 3 Important Points: Our Customer Care will provide an ongoing and updated record of all remedial works for future reference If the knotweed risk zone covered by the Guarantee extends into another garden we will arrange access. There are other options you may wish to consider, please see the relevant section below on page 9. There are sample documents included from page 11 for your perusal. OPTION 1 - KMP with an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) Ideal for property sellers and buyers The 10 year KMP including the IBG ending November 30 th 2025 will cost 2,295.00* + VAT This price is based upon a separate KMP also being instructed for 53 Russell Street. We are in contact with the owners of this neighbouring property. The beneficiary of the KMP and IBG is the owner of the property. If you are selling and need to transfer the KMP, we require payment in full. If you are not selling immediately we require a deposit of VAT followed by VAT in Nov 2016 and VAT in Nov 2017 and VAT in Nov 2018 *There is a one-off GPI insurance premium of The prices assume that there is less than 100 square metres of knotweed. OPTION 2-3 YEAR KMP Treatment Only Ideal for home owners who are not selling This Knotweed Management Plan is for the treatment of knotweed within your property only and it will end on November 30 th 2018 The cost is VAT The beneficiary of this KMP is the owner of the property. To order we require payment of a deposit of VAT followed by VAT in Nov 2016 and VAT in Nov 2017 The prices assume that there is less than 50 square metres of knotweed. 1. Japanese Knotweed Survey We have been instructed by Chaney s Chartered Surveyors to undertake a survey of the above property, to determine to the best of our ability the presence of the non-native invasive plant Japanese knotweed or hybrid. The site survey was undertaken by on Friday 6 th November 2015 and this report has been prepared by Rob Dawkins BSc (Hons). The knotweed survey will provide you with a detailed report and drawing showing the anticipated extent of the knotweed contaminated ground and its location in relation to the buildings and the property boundary. The report will include the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) property risk category (see RICS table in the information section below) and it will record any visible signs of damage caused by the knotweed to the buildings, ancillary structures or hard standing/paving and where possible and applicable it will identify knotweed in the neighbouring gardens. Where applicable, the survey will provide information and advice to help with cases of encroachment, misrepresentation regarding the Law Society Property Information TA6 Form (3rd edition) or professional negligence. The survey will enable us to quantify the extent of the problem, confirm the likely remedial cost and provide the information required for the Insurance Backed Guarantee.

4 Page 4 PLAN OF THE JAPANESE KNOTWEED CONTAMINATED AREAS Please note: -All areas/zones of knotweed are approximate and indicative -The risk zone is based upon the aerial knotweed growth identified at the time of our survey and is drawn in accordance with the RICS risk table and guidance from the Environment Agency s Knotweed Code of Practice -The light blue area indicates the subject property and the dark blue line indicates the property s boundary SURVEY FINDINGS The site is an unused area of land situated on Baker Street. There is a large gated entrance which provides access to the land. The area is L shaped and is completely comprised of tarmac. The area is quite unkempt and overgrown. Image 1: Entrance to site Image 2: Site

5 Page 5 Image 3: Overgrown tarmac Image 4: Site In our experience, the visible signs of knotweed should not be deemed to be indicative of the underground rhizome spread and contaminated area. The true extent of the contaminated area will always be greater than any aerial growth and growth could appear anywhere within the anticipated contaminated area and possibly elsewhere within the 7m risk zone. The Knotweed contaminated areas affecting the property are JK1-JK7 as detailed below: JK1 Is an area of approximately 80m 2 and is growing within the boundaries of the land. This area of Japanese knotweed contaminated ground is located just beyond the gated entrance, along the right hand boundary of the piece of land, within the hard landscaping at the foot of the 2m high boundary wall. Image 5: JK1 contaminated ground Image 6: JK1 Image 7: JK1 growth Image 8: JK1

6 Page 6 KNOTWEED IN ADJACENT PROPERTIES Image 9: JK2 JK2 Is located within 43 Russell Street, against the boundary with 57 Baker Street. This area of Japanese knotweed contaminated ground is located at the far end of the rear garden, along the rear boundary wall. Image 10: JK3 JK3 Is located within 45 Russell Street, against the boundary with 57 Baker Street. This area of Japanese knotweed contaminated ground is located at the far end of the rear garden, along the rear boundary wall, oppsoi8te a garden shed. JK4 Is located within 47 Russell Street, against the boundary with 57 Baker Street. This area of Japanese knotweed contaminated ground is located at the far end of the rear garden, along the rear boundary wall. Image 11: JK4, JK5, JK6 and JK7 JK5 Is located within 49 Russell Street, against the boundary with 57 Baker Street. This area of Japanese knotweed contaminated ground is located at the far end of the rear garden, along the rear boundary wall. We have quoted to treat this under a separate treatment programme. JK6 Is located within 51 Russell Street, against the boundary with 57 Baker Street. This area of Japanese knotweed contaminated ground is located at the far end of the rear garden, along the rear boundary wall. We have quoted to treat this under a separate treatment programme. JK7 Is located within 53 Russell Street, against the boundary with 57 Baker Street X. This area of Japanese knotweed contaminated ground is located at the far end of the rear garden, along the rear boundary wall. We have quoted to treat this under a separate treatment programme.

7 Page 7 LIMITATIONS OF SURVEY The findings of this survey are collated from a visual inspection only. We do not undertake exploratory excavations during our survey and because knotweed has particularly deep rooted rhizomes, knotweed may remain undiscovered by us somewhere within or close to the subject property. The presence of Japanese knotweed can sometimes be concealed either deliberately or by accident. This could include the physical removal of the plants stems and crowns, mowing lawns or covering the knotweed area with turf, hard standing, landscape fabric, ornamental gravel, bark mulch etc. During the winter, knotweed goes into temporary dormancy, leaving no viable material above ground. On larger, more mature stands, the canes turn brown and remain in place and provide a clear visual marker of the plant s location. However, on younger or disturbed growth, the canes can fall over and be blown away, leaving no indication of knotweed whatsoever. If the survey is undertaken during the winter months, it is quite possible that we may not discover the presence of knotweed even though it exists. 2. Initial Herbicide Treatment We will carry out the initial treatment as soon as possible, but this may be subject to the time of year. We will treat the knotweed identified during the survey and as indicated by the brown and purple shading on the drawing. (For Option 2 treatment will only be to knotweed within the subject property). The impact of the initial application of herbicide will be significant and the visible aerial growth of knotweed may disappear quite quickly. However the deep rooted rhizomes are resilient and it is impossible to verify with 100% certainty that these rhizomes are dead and that no regrowth will occur. Unless mentioned we assume there is no river, stream fed pond or lake within twelve metres of the knotweed and we do not need to apply for an Aqua-Herb licence. 3. Chemical Treatment and Monitoring Plan ending November 2017 We will treat the knotweed identified during the survey and as indicated by the brown and purple shading on the drawing. (For Option 2 treatment will only be to knotweed within the subject property). We will also monitor and treat knotweed if it appears anywhere within the property boundary as indicated by the dark blue line and light blue shading on the survey drawing. Subject to our discretion we will make pre-determined treatment/inspection visits between May and November to apply chemical by stem injection, knapsack spraying or leaf wiping to any aerial knotweed growth, as per the following schedule. If deemed necessary and during the first winter of the programme we will make a visit to cut down the brown winter stems, break them up into small pieces within the knotweed area and leave them there to bio-degrade. Removal not included.

8 Page 8 YEAR TREATMENT AND MONITORING 2016 Visit to cut down dead stems 2016 May to July - Chemical treatment visit/monitor re-growth 2016 Aug to Nov - Chemical treatment visit/monitor re-growth 2017 May to July - Chemical treatment visit or just monitor re-growth 2017 Aug to Nov - Chemical treatment visit or just monitor re-growth 4. Annual Monitoring Visits As soon as the visible growth stops appearing (usually after a couple of years) we will commence and continue to make annual visits to monitor the contaminated area for any re-emergence until we observe two seasons without regrowth. YEAR MONITORING 2018 May to Nov - Monitor for re-growth 2019 May to Nov - Monitor for re-growth 2020 onwards Option 1 Only: If we have not observed two years of no re-growth we will continue to monitor annually. 5. Completion Certificate & 6. Guarantee Certificate Option 1 Only: See sample documents in Appendix 1 below. The beneficiary of this Guarantee is the owner of 57 Baker Street. The end date for the Guarantee is 30 th Nov 2025 Completion certificate As soon as we achieve two years without regrowth of knotweed we will issue a completion certificate confirming the date that the treatment is complete. Guarantee certificate A 5 year Guarantee (approved by the PCA) will provided on our work and the draft certificate will be issued as soon as we receive full payment and will be valid for 5 years following completion of the work. The Guarantee is for the area of knotweed within the Knotweed risk zone indicated by the area shaded purple on the survey drawing. The Guarantee (See a sample of a Guarantee wording/certificate in the information section below) gives you peace of mind that if there is any re-growth of knotweed within the risk zone as shaded purple on the drawing it will be treated at no extra charge. USING THE GUARANTEE The Knotweed Management Plan, Survey, Guarantee certificate, completion certificate and receipted invoice are important documents and are required to validate the Guarantee. If you do notice regrowth during the guarantee period, do not worry. Please send us a picture so that we can verify that it is knotweed and if it is we will arrange for a treatment visit to be made in accordance to the guarantee. If you are unable to send us a picture and want us to visit the property, there is a call out charge (currently plus VAT) payable in advance. If we discover that there is growth of the knotweed, we will treat it and refund the call out payment. In the final year of your guarantee, we will visit the property and provide a final report within 3 months of the final visit.

9 Page 9 The Guarantee is assignable and transferable and is subject to a transfer fee. This is currently plus V.A.T and applicable at any time after six months. Please note:- - If the building is a block of flats or apartments, the Guarantee certificate will need to detail the name of the management company or the individual names of all the flat/apartment owners. 7. Insurance for the Guarantee (IBG) Option 1 Only: See sample letter of intent to insure in Appendix 1 below. Subject to receipt of the KMP proposal and survey report a letter of intent will be issued by GPI Ltd confirming their acceptance of the risk and receipt of the premium. The insurance for the above guarantee will be provided by GPI as soon as we provide a completion certificate which confirms that there has been two growing seasons without regrowth of knotweed. The insurance will then remain valid until the end date of the guarantee. The Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) will ensure that recourse to the guarantee is possible, even in the event that the original contractor has ceased to trade. The Policy is designed to meet the cost of the remedial treatment of the re-growth of Japanese knotweed that would have been covered by the Contractor s Written Guarantee. Whilst the Policy will pay for appropriate remedial or re-treatment works to the defined area of the Insured Works, it will not meet the cost of any Consequential Loss. As members of the Property Care Association, Invasive Weed Group (PCA IWG), we can offer insurance from Guarantee Protection Insurance Ltd. (GPI). GPI is an authorised and regulated UK insurer and are registered in England as a Limited Company, with the registration number GPI underwrites IBGs for many different types and areas of industry. GPI will send you a letter confirming that they have been notified about the works at your property and that the Insurance Backed Policy will be provided as soon as they receive our completion certificate. When the Knotweed affected property is sold, the following documents will provide evidence to the buyer s lender that there is a suitable long term management plan in place: The Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) certificate. (released after full payment) The Knotweed survey A completion certificate for the initial treatment and monitoring works (released after full payment) Receipted invoices for full payment *A one-off GPI insurance premium of ( plus IPT of 4.28, an admin fee of plus VAT of 6.00 and IPT of 2.85 will be added. Insurance is subject to application and acceptance via GPI. Should GPI reject your application for insurance we will refund of the insurance fee only. We also provide a number of options and additional items: 1. Discount If one or more adajcent neighbouring property owners want to put in place their own Knotweed Management Plan/IBG for their own property, we can offer you and your neighbour(s) a significantly lower price. 2. Removal of Knotweed Stems We can remove the knotweed stems and dispose the arising s at a licensed landfill site this will cost FROM VAT. 3. Immediate excavation of Knotweed See sample excavation quotation in Appendix 1 below. OTHER OPTIONS

10 Page 10 The Environment Agency (EA) state that any ground containing knotweed (dead or alive) even after a specialist has been providing herbicide treatments should be classified as controlled waste if removed from site. If the affected area is going to be landscaped or developed, you should refer to the section below. The chemical treatment of Japanese knotweed is a long term control method and does not remove the problem. The roots and rhizomes can remain dormant under the ground for twenty years. The ground/soil is always considered as contaminated ground by the EA. Building or landscaping works should not proceed until the knotweed has been excavated. It is important for you to know that the Japanese knotweed that you can visibly see could have extensive and deep underground rhizomes and could spread up to seven metres in all directions. Immediate removal involves excavation of the soil in the affected area to a depth of approximately 1m and in some cases where specified deeper and to the full lateral spread of the roots and rhizomes. The cost of excavation (if excavation is possible) will depend on the type of access to the Japanese knotweed and the area of contaminated land. The excavation work will include a Guarantee for five or ten years. The cost to excavate to a depth of 1m+ and remove/replace the knotweed contaminated soil will be in excess of 4, If you are interested in excavation, please ask us for a budget. There is a sample quotation included from page 10 for your perusal. 4. Bondpay The funds for the work can be paid to a third party who has the duty to account for the funds and ensure that usage of funds is specifically for the purpose intended. In doing this the funds to provide the service and guarantee are protected in the event that the company fails to deliver or goes out of business and is a safe and secure way to pay for the work without any risk. The cost for a Bond Pay account is plus V.A.T If you are a victim of encroachment (nuisance), misrepresentation or professional negligence we can provide a specific survey document to support your case and we will charge VAT and we will help you deal with the matter and present your case to a no win no fee solicitor ENCROACHMENT KNOTWEED AND THE LAW A landowner should make every effort to control and contain knotweed within the boundaries of his property and he should endeavour to prevent it from encroaching into an adjacent property. If Japanese knotweed spreads from one property to another the relevant law is that of private nuisance. A private nuisance is an act or omission which is an interference with, disturbance of or annoyance to a person in the exercise or enjoyment of his ownership or occupation of land. If a landowner has been asked to control the knotweed and fails to do so he could be held responsible for the damage caused by the encroachment which may include a claim for the diminution in value to the property. If you are suffering from encroachment and wish to pursue the individual or organisation responsible for the adjoining land, you must give him/them the opportunity to deal with the nuisance (knotweed) that he/it creates. It is therefore important that you

11 Page 11 put your neighbour(s) on notice in writing as soon as you become aware of encroachment and explain that the encroachment of knotweed onto your property is considered a nuisance. You should state what action you require the landowner to take and by when. The letter should also explain the likely consequences if they choose to ignore the notice. can provide you with a letter to give to the owner/occupier of the neighbouring property and a quotation for an appropriate Treatment and Guarantee Programme for them to consider. If the owners fail to act, you may be able to pursue litigation and to help you with this we can present your case to a no win, no fee solicitor for them to consider. MISREPRESENTATION If a property is affected by knotweed the owner will need to declare this when selling. He could be guilty of a misrepresentation if he has not correctly responded to the question in the Law Society Property Information TA6 Form (3 rd edition) seller s questionnaire regarding knotweed and is responsible for all damage up until the point of sale and remains liable for this historic damage even after the sale of the property. As knotweed is a `continuing nuisance`, liability for any damage caused after the sale of the property attaches itself to the buyer. If you have bought a property affected by knotweed and the presence of knotweed was not disclosed during the purchase of the property you could explore the possibility of recovering damages. There may also be a claim for the diminution in value to the property. can present your case to a no win, no fee solicitor for them to consider. PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE If you are buying a house and your building society/lender arranges a survey, the surveyor owes you a duty of care. A surveyor can be sued by you if he has breached his duty of care and as a result you have sustained loss. The surveyor will and should be insured to meet your claim and you are entitled to claim in the first instance the cost of the remedial work, and in the second instance, the difference in value. You will also, as with all such claims, be able to claim interest and costs. If the surveyor failed to identify Japanese knotweed, you may be able to pursue him for professional negligence and to help you with this we can present your case to a no win, no fee solicitor for them to consider. APPENDIX 1: SAMPLE DOCUMENTS The following pages include important information and examples of the documents your knotweed management plan may include:

12 Page Sample Documents Guarantee Certificate

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16 2. Sample Documents GPI Letter of Intent to Insure Page 16

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19 Page Sample Documents Excavation Quotation

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25 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Page 25 The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Property Risk Table To help understand and categorise the level of risk that the knotweed presents to the lender, RICS have created a risk table below. The location of the Japanese knotweed in relation to the buildings at the property/development may need to be formerly recorded and the risk category may need to be accurately assessed. Category 4 Descriptors Japanese Knotweed is within 7 metres of a habitable space, conservatory and/or garage, either within the boundaries of this property or in a neighbouring property or space; and/or Japanese Knotweed is causing serious damage to outbuildings, associated structures, drains, paths, boundary walls and fences and so on. 3 Although Japanese Knotweed is present within the boundaries of the property, it is more than 7 metres from a habitable space, conservatory, and/or garage. If there is damage to outbuildings, associated structures, paths and boundary walls and fences, it is minor. 2 Japanese Knotweed was not seen within the boundaries of this property, but it was seen on a neighbouring property or land. Here, it was within 7 metres of the boundary, but more than 7 metres away from habitable spaces, conservatory and/or garage of the subject property. 1 Japanese Knotweed was not seen on this property, but it can be seen on a neighbouring property or land where it was more than 7 metres away from the boundary. (RICS IP 27/2012; Page 11; Table 1: Japanese Knotweed risk categories) About Us is one of the leading Japanese knotweed specialists in the U.K. Your property will not be far away from one of our existing customers and for this reason we are confident that we can offer you a competitive price to remove or control the Japanese knotweed on your land. Property Care Association (PCA) Invasive Weeds Group (IWG) members Qualified staff; CSCS, CPCS, SSSTS & PCA qualified technicians PCAQT Licensed Operatives; NPTC PA1, PA6 and PA6AW. 10m Public & Product Insurance. 1m Professional Indemnity. Insurance Backed Guarantees Adherence to the Environment Agency The Knotweed Code of Practice, 2013 v3). Removing the risk of contravening the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 14, clause 2. Waste Management in accordance to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) sections 33 and 34 AFFILIATIONS: PCA - are members of the Property Care Association (PCA) Invasive Weed Group. Accreditation to this scheme demonstrates our professionalism in the industry of invasive weed management, treatment and removal. Trust Mark - Is a government endorsed scheme where you can be sure that affiliated contractors have been vetted and approved to supply the highest quality of service delivery. CHAS - are registered contractors to the CHAS Government backed and SIPP Health and Safety scheme. Accreditation to this scheme demonstrates our proficiency to Public, Company, Employer and Employee Health and Safety.

26 Page 26 SAFE CONTRACTOR - are registered contractors to the SAFE CONTRACTOR, SIPP Health and Safety scheme. Accreditation to this scheme demonstrates our proficiency to Public, Company, Employer and Employee Health and Safety. BUILDERS PROFILE - are registered and approved suppliers on the BUILDERS PROFILE Supply Chain Management Assessment Scheme used by companies such as Balfour Beatty and Wates Group. LINK-UP - is a certified supplier on Achilles LINK-UP; recognised as best practise in qualifying suppliers for working on rail contracts. This scheme is governed by RISQS (Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme) CONSTRUCTIONLINE - are registered and approved suppliers on CONSTRUCTIONLINE used by companies to ensure that contractors are health and safety vetted and proven in the industry they operate in. Important Notes THE USE OF THE GARDEN: Please note that the use of the areas affected by Japanese Knotweed will be severely restricted due to the fact that the knotweed has to be allowed to grow so that we can treat it effectively. If this is unacceptable an immediate excavation will need to be considered. (Refer to excavation option above). If the knotweed is growing within a lawn/grass area and there are no trees or shrubs close by, we may decide to apply a residual herbicide that will suppress the knotweed growth at ground level whilst allowing the grass to grow. The cutting of the grass can continue as long as the arising s are composted in a separate compost bin and not used as compost unless it has completely rotted. Treating knotweed in this way does prolong the process of control or eradication and in some cases the knotweed can become dormant under the grass. The following should NOT be undertaken: Do not flail or mow Japanese knotweed as this will cause it to spread. Cutting with sharp hooks, slashers, etc., is recommended Do not spread Japanese knotweed stems and crowns Do not spread soil contaminated with Japanese knotweed rhizome. Any soil that is obtained from ground within 7m of a Japanese knotweed plant could potentially contain rhizome. The rhizome is highly regenerative and will readily grow into new plants Do not chip Japanese knotweed material. Mechanical chippers do not kill Japanese knotweed. If you spread chipped material on soil, Japanese knotweed could re-grow Do not add Japanese knotweed material to compost Do not waste time. If Japanese knotweed appears on your property treat it immediately. Do not allow it to become established Do not break the law. If you cause Japanese knotweed to spread you could be guilty of an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 FUTURE BUILDING AND LANDSCAPING WORKS: Building Works: Should you consider extending the building and/or constructing new buildings and permanent structures at any point in the future, any Japanese knotweed present within the footprint of any proposed building works would have to be excavated and removed. Landscaping Works: We would not recommend any disturbance of ground conditions, nor carrying out of landscaping in areas affected by Japanese knotweed unless excavation and removal of the contaminated ground has been successfully completed.

27 Page 27 JAPANESE KNOTWEED ADJACENT TO WATERCOURSES: Where Japanese knotweed growth resides within 12m of a water body (ditch, stream or river bed, which may be dry during summer periods) or water course, the contractor undertaking herbicide use on the site will need to be PA6-AW qualified and have obtained an AqHerb01 licence from the Environment Agency. ERADICATION OF KNOTWEED: In some cases it is possible that the very deep rooted Japanese knotweed rhizomes remain in a viable state, and may do so for up to twenty years or so. These rhizomes could potentially re-grow, especially if they get disturbed. In the unlikely event that regrowth or indeed new infestations of knotweed does occur at some time after the end of the Guarantee period we will not be held responsible as we do not consider it to be deemed a failing of our work and therefore will not accept liability for any cost incurred for any future treatment of Japanese knotweed on the site. The spraying programme is unlikely to remove the viability from 100% of the underground rhizome system and this is an important note (especially for developers) because the Environment Agency state that any ground containing knotweed (dead or alive) even after a specialist has been providing a herbicide treatment programme should be classified as controlled waste if removed from site. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The prices exclude VAT at 20% and are subject to any change in the prevailing rate The IBG insurance premium is based on a contract value of less than The prices assume that there is less than 50 square metres of knotweed per property. The insurance for the guarantee is registered for the property shortly after the survey and you will receive confirmation directly from GPI Ltd that the insurance is in place. It becomes valid as soon as we confirm that there has been two seasons of no re-growth and this is usually within two or three years of the initial herbicide treatment. The Guarantee certificate is issued and automatically validated upon receipt of full payment and this payment is non-refundable If the guarantee certificate is not required immediately, payment can be by instalments as follows: - 40% deposit with order 20% payment August % payment August % payment August If you want to cancel the instalment payment plan we require written notice at least THREE months before the next scheduled payment date, otherwise the next scheduled payment will be payable, and in accordance to this we will, on receipt of your written notice, cease the work immediately. All quotations provided are valid for 30 days from date of this letter and are subject to our Information and Terms & Conditions. We trust our price is of interest to you and look forward to hearing from you in due course. If you have any queries regarding any of the above please do not hesitate to contact us by or one of the following numbers: SOUTHAMPTON (HQ) Admin and Estimating Office Unit 7 Belbins Business Park Cupernham Lane Romsey Hampshire SO51 7JF LONDON Admin and Customer Care Office Suite 8 Television House 269 Field End Road Eastcote Middlesex HA4 9LS MANCHESTER Admin and Estimating Office Suite 104 & 105 Upcott House Carrington Business Park Carrington Manchester M31 4DD