Japanese knotweed

[scoopmuckanddizzyrollytoo]

Would you buy a property that had this in the garden? Anybody any experience of removing this ?

[VanillaSugar]

No and you won't get house insurance. Avoid.

Hopefully this isn't your house that you're trying to sell.

[Hadalifeonce]

I'm sure I remember reading that Japanese Knotweed has to be reported to some authority because it is so damaging, and can take something like 5 years of professional 'weed killing' to get rid of.

[scoopmuckanddizzyrollytoo]

No vanilla, thankfully not.

[VanillaSugar]

Thank goodness. Poor vendors, though

[user1487194234]

Personally no as I am very risk adverse
Most lenders will have restrictions on lending and some won't lend

[JT05]

One of the few things which would get a definite no from me.

[wowfudge]

Would also depend on where in the garden - if it's at the end of a long garden that's rather different than close to the house or any outbuildings. Is it coming in from someone else's property? If so, it's the other owner's responsibility for clearing it. It's very common near railway lines as the Victorians planted it to help knit embankments together.

[rollonthesummer]

Never, no. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

[picklemepopcorn]

There have been threads on this before, if you search. Some had really useful information. There are companies who give a guarantee of treatment- they come back every year for five years or some such. Mortgages can be arranged as long as this is in place.

As I say, find the other threads. They have informative links and comments from people who have fought knotweed and won!

[scoopmuckanddizzyrollytoo]

Thanks guys, house is lovely but it does scare me, probably too much.

[picklemepopcorn]

It could be the opportunity to get a bargain, as it will scare people off! You need a specialist company to look at it.

[stayhomeclub]

We had a mortgage declined for a house where the Knotweed was on adjacent land 100m away. The house was valued at zero.

I think even if you have a willing lender it can cost thousands to remedy and you will have to provide guarantees if you ever sell.

I would avoid it, when the surveyor identified knotweed in our case, he basically told us to buy another house as it wasn't worth the risk.

[Kokusai]

Wow surprised at the 'firm no' answers. It is relatively prevalent I thought?

If it is a big long garden and it's no where near the house, and it's not obviously a massive problem e.g spreading from neighbours/wasteland then I might consider the house of all else is good.

You can get it erricated by professionals in 2-3 seasons, if you get a firm that Jas an insurance backed guarantee (so if rehung go bust the guarantee still stands) then al should be well.

The only thing is I would want to know why the fuck the vendors haven't dealt with it and it might make me think what else haven't they done.

It isn't always a total no no for all mortgages esp if the erridcation has started.

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=218

[Carolinethebrave]

No, definitely not

No experience but have read articles

It needs specialist removal and is a pain to get rid of plus expensive

[hooliodancer]

We are buying a house with it at the moment. It's at the end of a big garden.

The vendors have paid for treatment, a treatment plan and insurance on the treatment plan. I think it cost them 3k.

It can be eradicated by the treatment plan, they are paying for the plan so we are happy with that.

We did a lot of research, and I think there are a lot if misconceptions about it. Sadly it's allowed to spread because people try to deal with it themselves. For example, if you are treating it yourself you shouldn't put it in any compost bin or rubbish bin.

[scoopmuckanddizzyrollytoo]

Thats interesting hoolio, i would be happy to pay to treat it but as someone said above im suspicious why vendor hasnt.

[MrsPughSingsSleafordMods]

I sold my parents house with a patch of knotweed in the garden. Vendors got a mortgage. I paid a pro to treat and remove it gut 2k. It's a pain in the ass but not a showstopper in my actual experience.

[Triskel]

I too sold a house with knotweed. It takes time, but as others have said, professional companies will deal with it. You give the treatment plan/ insurance receipt to the buyer so they know it will be eradicated.

[JW13]

We bought a house with knotweed in the neighbouring garden about 3 years ago. Managed to get a mortgage but one of the conditions was that the owner of the neighbouring property (fortunately the local Council) put in place a treatment plan with a reputable company. They come back every 6-12 months and treat it from our side and the neighbour's side. All seems to be gone now although they'll monitor going forward. And managed to get buildings insurance via M&S - it's worth asking your proposed insurer before you buy the insurance as some do exclude Japanese knotweed.

I almost had a meltdown when it was discovered during our mortgage survey (my father was dying during the process and I was not in a fit state to lose my dream house at the same time) but actually it was all fine. There's loads of negative stuff out there but if it's a small amount and you get it treated it's fine. We live near a railway line where it's really prevalent - it's a pretty common problem.

[hooliodancer]

Our vendor had been treating it himself, he said he didn't realise it was an issue until he saw the question on the form!

Have you asked why they haven't treated it?

Our solicitor insisted that they put the treatment plan in place before exchange.

[scoopmuckanddizzyrollytoo]

Haven't asked yet, think the house has been a rental for years so bit neglected.

[hooliodancer]

Well, there's your answer! They probably didn't even notice.

With a treatment plan in place you will be fine.

[scoopmuckanddizzyrollytoo]

Thanks hoolio, im sorely tempted the house is fab but it is scary!! I will find out exactly where its situated and take it from there.