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Original poster

Japanese Knotweed!

20 replies

LifeLove10 · 26/07/2017 12:49

Hi all,

I am new to mumsnet and figures as I usually find answers to life's problems on this forum, I may as well join and be properly involved!?

So, me and my partner have found our dream first home and our offer was accepted but now a neighbour has come forward and reported Japanese Knotweed in the 'additional garden'. There is one garden immediately outside the property and then there is additional land just behind which extends quite far back alongside a beck. Apparently the JKW has been found right at the end of this so about 80-90metres away from the property itself.

Good news, the owner is prepared to cover the cost of eradication plus a ten year guarantee. My only concern is will it keep coming back later and affect the resale value? Should I just run a mile???

OP posts:

scaredofthecity · 26/07/2017 13:35

we looked at a house that had knotweed and decided to run a mile.... but that was because it would only be a starter home and we would have wanted to sell in a few years and it wasn't worth the risk of not being able to sell on.
Even with a guarantee you should expect a drop in price to reflect the loss of value. The house we were looking at went for 190 when it was originally up for 220.
From what I read, it is very difficult to get rid of, and can easily come back.

HipsterHunter · 26/07/2017 13:45

Thing is it is getting more and more commonly in London.

I wouldn't 100% walk away but do your due diligence about the company used. Is it an insurance backed (so if the company goes bust the guarantee is still valid)?

bandbsmummy · 26/07/2017 15:11

You might find it difficult to get a mortgage with Knotweed

Parietal · 26/07/2017 16:23

If you are able to spray the knotweed with glycophosphates weedkiller at least 2x per year then you should be able to keep it under control

Also check if it is in neighbouring gardens - that is a bigger risk cos you can't spray them.

loveka · 26/07/2017 19:02

If they are paying for eradication and guarantee there is no problem, as the guarantee says it wont come back.

We were buying a house with the same issue and were happy with the eradication programme.

Original poster

LifeLove10 · 26/07/2017 21:49

Thank you all. Ioveka - can I ask the eradication programme you received, did that involve treating it yearly? Doesn't this then render that part of the garden useless until there are no signs of regrowth? Whilst that sounds good to me, it also sounds slow and I would want to landscape that whole area to use it as a second garden.

OP posts:

loveka · 27/07/2017 18:53

Yes, ours checked yearly. I think the main work is done in year 1, with chemicals that kill it and digging out.

Ours was a long way from the house which I suppose makes a difference. Sadly they pulled out of the sale which has been a nightmare.

I did so much research I would definately buy somewhere with knotweed if tgere was a guarantee.

thethoughtfox · 27/07/2017 20:24

You need to check with your mortgage provider as many won't lend against a property with this on or near it.

Original poster

LifeLove10 · 27/07/2017 20:56

Ah that is good to hear although I'm surprised your buyers pulled out of the sale if it was being treated and so far from the house? I'm in the same boat as I'm also considering pulling out of the sale. The JKW is beside a beck and I would own the land going right up to the beck. It's obvious it's travelled from further up the beck so if that is the case then I fear it can quite easily return and I'll constantly be battling it.

I have actually gone back to the seller asking for a reduction in price or I most likely will walk as to me it's not worth the headache.

OP posts:

babyboyHarrison · 28/07/2017 07:43

If it is being spread to your property from another i beleive you can get enforcement orders. May be difficult to prove if it's water bound though but helpful if it's spreading from a neighbour.

loveka · 28/07/2017 10:52

They didn't pull out due to the knotweed! They just changed their minds. Bastards.

It rrally isnt as big a deal as is made out, it can ce erradicated and the eradication is guaranteed. So if the vendors pay for that then there is no problem to my nind.

Pantryboy · 29/07/2017 20:10

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole personally. The trouble is mud sticks and if you want to sell it later on you may not be able to sell because ppl will be put off by it and /or want it cheaper, if you think about it if you were totally fine with it then you wouldn't be asking MN.

Original poster

LifeLove10 · 29/07/2017 20:35

Well - an update for you all. Nationwide have assessed the situation and happy to offer a mortgage as long as I have been made aware there is JKW. They don't require a guarantee or anything else.

I also offered the owner £13,000 less than my original offer which she has declined but is open to negotiate. I have been thinking about it over the weekend and don't think I will bother as I've just really been put off by the whole thing now. Quite a shame but I'm glad it pointed out early on.

Thanks all for your input!

OP posts:

frogsoup · 29/07/2017 20:42

I think it's a real shame to pull out just for that reason if you liked the place! We had JK at the end of the garden when we moved into our house, luckily the mortgage co didn't get wind of it (it was winter so not visible) so it wasn't an issue. We've been in our house 6 years and after a concerted attack with the glyphosate for the first three years (we did it ourselves) we seem to be shot of it - there's been no sign of it at all for the past three growing seasons. It's was an annoyance for sure but it's hardly attack of the triffids.

frogsoup · 29/07/2017 20:43

Though to be fair, our neighbours were as keen to get rid of it as us, luckily, so it's also been dealt with in the surrounding gardens. IT'd be more of a pain if that wasn't the case.

MissBabbs · 29/07/2017 20:58

I have some in the garden now which I have sprayed.
I don't understand the panic. It helps if you can spot it, which I can. It was in the garden when I moved in so had a few years to seed so it pops up every so often. I spray it - twice if need be , and it dies !

Original poster

LifeLove10 · 29/07/2017 21:14

I must not have liked it as much as I thought I did! But yes u are lucky that yours was dealt with by neighbouring gardens. Mine appeared to have been spread via the beck so it could have come from absolutely anywhere...

OP posts:

scaryclown · 29/07/2017 21:20

If it's killed and dug up properly.. Every scrap of root, then it is gone.
It's the spreading from up the beck or the other side that's the issue, so best to include that area in the works if you can. I would remove soil and put in new topsoil if you can. Regular dig up of any reappearance with no root segments left is important if you see it again. It's neglect of it that causes major problems...

PotteringAlong · 29/07/2017 21:22

I'd run.

frogsoup · 29/07/2017 21:49

Lifelove I think that's probably true. I was so keen on buying our house that I actually went round to check if there were any visible shoots before the mortgage surveyor came round!!! As it turns out there was a foot of snow that night so I didn't need to worry.

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