Beware of Japanese Knotweed

The warm and wet start to 2019 has produced the ideal growing conditions for Japanese Knotweed, causing a potential headache for home movers. The plant itself evolved its durability by being able to thrive on the sides of Japanese volcanoes and to survive relatively frequent eruptions. This invasive species was brought to these shores by the Victorians who were looking for a natural way to protect newly dug canals and railway embankments.

It has however spread to other areas and has the ability to penetrate driveways and destroy concrete foundations of residential properties. The roots of the plant can travel to a depth of some 3 metres and if found on your property it can have an adverse effect on the value or make it difficult to sell.

Indeed some Mortgage companies have imposed an arbitrary 7 metre rule which they employ on whether or not it will decide to lend on the property . If knotweed is on a property and within 7 metres of a building, then the lender will consider that property “at risk” and may not accept it as suitable security for lending purposes. This could have an effect on property values as well.

If buying you should consider a homebuyer report from a reputable professional who may depending on what he or she is employed to do, inform of any risks before a legal commitment to purchase is made.