Buying a house with Japanese knotweed
Are you thinking about buying a property with Japanese knotweed? You’re not alone. Many buyers find themselves in this situation and understandably feel concerned.
At Knotweed Specialists UK, we help homeowners and buyers every day who are dealing with Japanese knotweed, offering reassurance, expert advice, and practical solutions that make the process much easier.
If you are buying a house with Japanese knotweed and need advice or professional removal, contact our experts at Knotweed Specialists UK on 023 8251 2752. Alternatively, drop us an email at enquiries@knotweed-specialists.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
What is Japanese knotweed?
Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant species that can grow rapidly and cause problems if left untreated. Its strong underground root system (rhizomes) can spread through soil, push through paving, and even exploit small cracks in walls or concrete.
If you’re buying a house with Japanese knotweed, it’s important to understand:
- It isn’t illegal to have knotweed on a property, but you must prevent it spreading.
- It can affect property value and make mortgages harder to secure.
- Professional management is often the best solution for peace of mind.
Should you buy a house with Japanese knotweed?
The short answer: yes – as long as you take the right steps.
Japanese knotweed doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) advises that it is still possible to purchase a property with knotweed if a proper management plan is in place.
With the right treatment, buying a property with Japanese knotweed can be a perfectly sensible decision. It may even work in your favour, as you could negotiate a better price on the property while knowing you’ve got experts to handle the issue.
Key things to know before buying
1. Mortgage considerations
Many lenders will not approve a mortgage unless there’s a professional Japanese knotweed management plan in place.
That’s where we come in, we provide fully accredited treatment plans backed by insurance, which satisfy mortgage providers and give buyers confidence.
2. Legal responsibilities
- Sellers must disclose knotweed on the TA6 property form.
- If you buy a house with Japanese knotweed, you must ensure it does not spread onto neighbouring land.
- Allowing knotweed to spread could lead to fines or even legal action.
3. Property value
Studies show that houses affected by Japanese knotweed can be valued 10–20% lower than similar properties. But with a professional removal plan, the property can be restored to its full value over time.
Japanese knotweed management for your new property
Whilst buying a house with Japanese knotweed can seem daunting, effective management is possible. At Knotweed Specialists UK, we offer expert Japanese knotweed management services tailored to your property’s needs. Our team utilises safe and sustainable Japanese knotweed control methods, including herbicide treatment and stem injection, to eradicate this invasive species. These methods are carefully selected based on the severity of the infestation and environmental considerations.
Japanese knotweed removal
Japanese knotweed surveys
Japanese knotweed management
We prioritise the continual training of our team, ensuring that you’ll always have a highly qualified member of staff working on your property who possesses the latest industry accreditations.
If you’re looking at buying a house with Japanese knotweed, you’ll be in safe hands with our specialist team.
Why choose us?
We are experts in our field
Knotweed Specialists expertly treat Japanese knotweed, we identify it and we control it. We do not provide a host of gardening services, we are not ‘a Jack of all trades’ business, we specialise in what we are best at – managing Japanese knotweed!
We offer a bespoke and personal service
Being a smaller company enables us to manage our clients with a bespoke approach to their problems. The management team is involved at every stage of your customer experience, so a professional experience is guaranteed.
We are competitively priced
We pride ourselves on providing all our customers with a sustainable knotweed solution at an exceptionally competitive price, with the addition of a site survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sellers have to disclose Japanese knotweed?
Yes, legally, sellers must disclose Japanese knotweed. When selling your property, you’ll need to fill out a TA6 form, which contains the following question:
Is the property affected by Japanese knotweed?
When filling out the TA6 form, you must tick one of the following answers:
Yes
No
Not known1
Not disclosing Japanese knotweed can result in the buyer taking legal action, including making a ‘property misrepresentation claim’.
Is Japanese knotweed illegal?
It is not illegal to have Japanese knotweed on your property, however, it is illegal to let it spread onto a neighbouring property or council land, which is why the best course of action is to have it professionally removed.
Contact our friendly team today on 023 8251 2752 for more information or advice on buying a house with Japanese knotweed.
How does Japanese knotweed spread?
Japanese knotweed spreads incredibly easily through fragments of the plant (Rhizomes) being dispersed through human action, being carried on animals or through wind, as well as its roots spreading underground.
Should I buy a house with Japanese knotweed?
If you are prepared to either make a requirement of purchase that it be removed or if you are happy to have it professionally managed/removed yourself, then there is no real reason why you shouldn’t buy a house with Japanese knotweed.
