HOMEOWNERS BEWARE! INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES

 

Regulations to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act published in 2014 have placed a burden on homeowners to establish whether there are any invasive plant species on their property, and in the event of them selling such property, they are obliged to notify the purchaser prior to conclusion of a sale agreement, that there are listed invasive plant species on that property.

Category 1 (prohibited) plants need to be removed from the property, and permits need to be obtained for category 2 and 3 plants. The regulations carry fines of up to R5,000,000.00 and/or a maximum 10 year sentence, so it is vital for homeowners to take proper advice when selling their property and to ascertain whether or not they have invasive plant species present on their property.

For more information, contact Tracey Watson-Gill at Goldberg & de Villiers Inc on 041 501 9800.