Can you buy a house with Japanese Knotweed?
It’s often less harmful than people think, it’s definitely not something you can handle on your own. We get asked this question all the time, sometimes multiple times a week.
While every situation is different, a quick internet search or a chat down the pub might make it sound far worse than it actually is – but that doesn’t mean you should try to treat it yourself. Professional help is key to getting it properly managed.
Should Domestic Japanese Knotweed be a Deal-Breaker?
Whilst the presence of Japanese Knotweed is never considered a selling point, in our opinion, it should not be considered to be an instant no-go either.
There is a huge difference between a property with a large garden having a small amount in a distant corner to a property with Japanese Knotweed growing through the floor of the house and being structurally damaging.
The 3-Metre Rule
Perhaps the simplest way of addressing an infestation is to use the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) guidance which in effect considers a built structure to be potentially affected by Japanese Knotweed if the plant is present within three metres.
The three meter rule also applies to off-site Japanese Knotweed whereby if Japanese Knotweed is present within this distance of the property boundary – however far from a built structure – then it must be recorded within a survey and made known to a lender / buyer.
How Mortgage Lenders View Japanese Knotweed
From a mortgage lenders perspective, they need to be as sure as they can be that the property being lent on will not end up in negative equity, in relation to Japanese Knotweed being present, this could occur by the plant causing structural issues to the property thus de-valuing it.
SE Environmental have considerable experience of the conveyancing process and last year alone helped over 150 buyers purchase properties with mortgages and in our experience, so long as the Japanese Knotweed is more than three metres away from the house AND a management plan be in place with a Property Care Association Accredited Company (such as SE Environmental) then there are very rarely any issues.
What If Japanese Knotweed is Within Three Metres of the Property?
Should Japanese Knotweed be present within three metres of the built structure, obtaining a mortgage may still be possible.
Legally, the Management Plan must be paid for in full by the vendor prior to the sale of the property – essentially to stop the vendor from paying an initial instalment and then disappearing leaving the outstanding balance to be picked up by the new owner.
Legal Obligations for Sellers
During the conveyancing (buying and selling) process, a TA6 form must be completed by the seller. This form includes the question of “Is the property affected by Japanese Knotweed” and following the form goes on to ask if Japanese Knotweed is present then is a Management and Treatment Plan in place.
Should the vendor fail to declare the presence of Japanese Knotweed be that intentionally or otherwise, then the buyer has legal grounds for compensation which could amount to a considerable sum.
It is therefore strongly recommended that should there be any doubt at all that a vendor get a survey carried out prior to sale / advertising the property by a Property Care Association approved company such as SE Environmental.
This removes any doubt as to the presence or absence of Japanese Knotweed giving both the seller and buyer peace of mind. In addition, most mortgage companies will not lend on a property unless a survey by an approved company has been carried out.
How to Treat Domestic Japanese Knotweed
Should Japanese Knotweed be identified during a survey, suggestions for remediation will be provided within the survey report. Typically two options are available – herbicide application or excavation.
Herbicide Application (Most Common Solution)
By far herbicide application is the most popular method of treating Japanese Knotweed in a domestic situation due to ease of access and lack of disruption. Essentially one of our trained, competent and qualified Technicians would arrive at the property at a time arranged with yourselves (unless a side gate could be left open or other access arranged) and the Japanese Knotweed be treated using a contractor grade herbicide for which a number of licenses are required to apply.
Legally a Japanese Knotweed Herbicide Management Plan must be in place for 5 years. This typically comprises of 3 years of herbicide application followed by 2 years of monitoring. A 10 year Company Guarantee comes as standard with all SE Environmental projects.
Excavation (Less Common in Domestic Settings)
Excavation is typically carried out where good access can be achieved using a 360 excavator and the entire plant to a depth of approximately two metres and around three meters surrounding the plant can be achieved – rarely in a domestic situation is this possible. Sometimes however smaller stands of Japanese Knotweed can be excavated using spades and wheel barrows where access is restricted.
Using Root Barrier Membranes
Root barrier membranes are commonly used where domestic Japanese Knotweed is removed. These are essentially a vertical curtain of material which prevent the Japanese Knotweed from gaining its way back into site from an off site plant via roots and rhizomes. These are particularly useful if part of the plant is off site and full excavation isn’t possible.
Get Expert Help with Domestic Japanese Knotweed
If you’re buying or selling a property with Japanese Knotweed, or if you’re concerned about how it might affect your mortgage or property value, SE Environmental is here to help.
Our team of experts can provide a thorough survey, create a tailored management plan, and offer the right treatment options to make sure the Japanese Knotweed issue is effectively handled.
Contact us today to schedule a survey or to learn more about how we can assist you with managing domestic Japanese Knotweed.
Call us now at 01924 944600 or email office@seenvironmental.co.uk
