What do I read into knotweed?
Our Clinic experts provide a guide to those thorny issues that can trip up the unwary. This week: Japanese knotweed.
By David Hollingworth
Published: 24 Jun 2010
Q. I caught the end of something on Radio 4 recently about a man who couldn't get a mortgage because the lender's surveyor reported that there was Japanese knotweed in his garden. I found this rather alarming since I have it too, despite all attempts at eradication. Is this a common restriction? I haven't heard of it before? And are there other things the surveyor might be looking for but we don't know about?
David Hollingworth writes....
A. The surveyor is instructed by a mortgage lender or a prospective purchaser to prepare a report that not only takes account of the apparent upkeep of the property and its current value in the market, but also flags any areas that could affect it as security for a loan. He will therefore note any negatives, whether this is the need for a new roof, potential problems with rot or other factors such as knotweed.
Japanese knotweed grows extremely quickly and can compromise the structural integrity of buildings. It will expose any weakness in the building and so could pose problems in the foundations. It even attacks concrete. It is therefore quite possible that a surveyor will pick up on the presence of knotweed.
As a result, the lender may either decline to offer a mortgage against the property or require corrective action to be taken first, depending on the valuer's comments.
It would therefore make sense for you to consider doing something about the knotweed before it causes any difficulty, whether for a mortgage application or more importantly to your property. You could seek advice from the Environment Agency; there is some information on its website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Or alternatively call JKSL on 0161 723 2000 for more advice.
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