Japanese Knotweed

“Although rather attractive Japanese Knotweed is a real thug” is the verdict of the Royal Horticultural Society.

If you are a home owner or thinking of buying a home, then you need to be aware of Japanese Knotweed, what it looks like and how to deal with it.

Japanese Knotweed is an invasive species of plant which if left untreated can cause physical damage to a property.It can be successfully treated and eradicated, although to quote the Royal Horticultural Society again, treatment and eradication requires “steely determination”.It is certainly not simply a question of digging it up.Eradication will require specialist long term chemical treatment.

Mortgage lenders are now aware of Japanese Knotweed and its significance and their valuers are instructed to check for its presence.There is also now a standard enquiry to be answered by everyone who sells a property as to whether they are aware of the presence of Japanese Knotweed on their property.

If Japanese Knotweed is discovered during the course of the sale then a plan will need to be put in place for its eradication, a decision made as to who is to pay for it (either the seller or the buyer), and approval of the plan obtained from the buyer’s mortgage lender.Most mortgage lenders will not lend on a property without an eradication plan in place.It is also likely to be a requirement that a treatment plan offers an insurance backed guarantee.

For advice on this and other Residential Property issues, please contact Partner and Head of Residential Property Chris Pease.

Please note the contents of this blog are given for information only and must not be relied upon. Legal advice should always be sought in relation to specific circumstances.