Japanese knotweed can devalue a house between 5-15% [4], however, in some more extreme cases, the plant has been known to almost completely devalue properties. ... Careful consideration of the severity of the infestation and impact on the property's value is needed when buying a property affected by Japanese knotweed.

Do you have to declare Neighbour has knotweed When selling a house?

If they inform you the knotweed is only present on your neighbour's land then you would not need to disclose this. However, if they confirm you do have Japanese knotweed, you would need to disclose this to a buyer. During the conveyancing process you are obliged to fill out a property information form known as a TA6.

Do surveyors look for Japanese knotweed?

Surveyors have a duty of care to both the homebuyer and the lender to identify Japanese knotweed during a survey, even if the seller has attempted to hide it.

Does Japanese knotweed affect house insurance?

Having Japanese knotweed shouldn't affect your home insurance premium. Most standard house insurance policies will not cover the removal of Japanese knotweed, or repairs to anything damaged by it. As such, your discovery of the plant, whether or not it has originated on your land, should not affect your premiums.

Is Japanese knotweed classed as contaminated land?

You must prevent Japanese knotweed on your land spreading into the wild. Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste.

Buying A House With Japanese Knotweed - Changes to the TA6 Form

18 related questions found

Will the council remove Japanese knotweed?

You can report Japanese knotweed growing on neighbouring council land by contacting your local authority directly. Local councils are subject to the same Japanese knotweed laws as any other organisation, therefore they are prohibited to allow Japanese knotweed to spread from public land into privately owned land.

What does Japanese knotweed do to a house?

What does Japanese knotweed do to a house? This aggressive plant has been known to cause severe structural damage to homes. Its roots can push through walls and drains, up through paving or asphalt, and can make the foundations of your home weak and unstable.

Do estate agents have to disclose Japanese knotweed?

Estate agents must declare Japanese knotweed in order to act within the Consumer Protection Regulations. If an estate agent chooses to lie or misrepresent a property as being free of Japanese knotweed, then they could be reported to the National Association of Estate Agents.

How long can Japanese knotweed stay dormant?

Japanese knotweed can stay dormant for as long as 20 years, according to the Environment Agency's Knotweed Code of Practice.

What can I do if my Neighbour has Japanese knotweed?

What to do if your neighbour has Japanese knotweed? If your neighbour has Japanese knotweed, then you should tell them as soon as possible. If they do not arrange to have the Japanese knotweed treated and allow the Japanese knotweed to spread to your land, then you may able to bring a claim against them.

Does a mortgage valuation check for Japanese knotweed?

A mortgage valuation is not always guaranteed to pick up the presence of Japanese knotweed. ... A valuation is intended to satisfy the mortgage lender, as such, it will not single out any structural issues, or repairs that will need addressing before a purchase is made.

Can you sue for knotweed?

Misrepresentation Legal Rights

If you have bought a house that's affected by Japanese knotweed, and you are able to show the seller knew about Japanese knotweed on the property, you can sue the seller.

Can you remove Japanese knotweed yourself?

Can I get rid of Japanese Knotweed myself? Treating Japanese Knotweed yourself is possible but can be difficult and time consuming. Japanese Knotweed grows up to 10cm a day, so it is essential that you are quick and effective with removal.

Can you get indemnity insurance for Japanese knotweed?

The Residential Japanese Knotweed Indemnity Policy is available where the sellers are not aware if Knotweed is present and even where it has previously been treated.

How serious is Japanese knotweed?

Japanese knotweed is very dangerous because of its ability to cause devastating costly damage to its surrounding environment through its vigorous rapidly growing root system that frequently damages property foundations, flood defences, and pavements with some plants invading houses.

Can knotweed spread in winter?

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a weed that spreads rapidly. In winter the plant dies back to ground level but by early summer the bamboo-like stems emerge from rhizomes deep underground to shoot to over 2.1m (7ft), suppressing all other plant growth.

Should you cut Japanese knotweed?

Cutting down Japanese knotweed AFTER it's been treated by a suitable herbicide is a good idea. Once the plant has died, cutting it down actually makes it easier for you to access the base of the plant.

Can dead Japanese knotweed spread?

Japanese knotweed forms dense stands which grow up through the preceding years dead thickets. The dead stems and leaf litter decompose very slowly, forming a deep organic layer which prevents native seeds from germinating. ... This robust weed quickly spreads via its rhizomes; horizontal underground stems reaching 15-20m.

Why is Japanese knotweed a problem in the UK?

Japanese knotweed is not native to Europe and was introduced to the UK without its natural enemies. Biodiversity – Knotweed affects ecosystems by crowding out native vegetation and limiting plant and animal species diversity. ...

Is Japanese knotweed good for anything?

The whole flowering plant is used to make medicine. Knotweed is used for bronchitis, cough, gum disease (gingivitis), and sore mouth and throat. It is also used for lung diseases, skin disorders, and fluid retention. Some people use it to reduce sweating associated with tuberculosis and to stop bleeding.

Does knotweed affect mortgage?

Some lenders will decline all mortgage applications for properties where knotweed is present, or even if it is found several gardens away. However, although Japanese knotweed can certainly make it more difficult to get a mortgage, it doesn't make it impossible.

How invasive is Japanese knotweed?

A non-native invasive plant. Japanese knotweed inhabits both urban and rural areas, for example it can dominate along road verges, railway land but waste ground, or heavily disturbed ground are particularly vulnerable to infestations.

Does Japanese knotweed spread fast?

How fast does Japanese knotweed spread? During the summer Japanese knotweed has been reported to grow as quickly as 10cm a day, however, there is no research to support how fast it spreads underneath the ground. The spread of Japanese knotweed can be increased by unwitting breakage or disturbance of the ground.

How do I permanently get rid of Japanese knotweed?

Cutting the knotweed only removes the aboveground portion and only serves to stimulate the below ground rhizome. In some cases weekly mowing can eventually draw down enough of the plant's reserves to kill it. The best approach to control is through a combination of cutting and herbicide application.

Who is responsible for getting rid of Japanese knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed is classified as an invasive species it is therefore the responsibility of the land owner to prevent the plant spreading to neighbouring land (or into the wild), and removal of plant must be conducted with due care and attention.