Japanese Knotweed - Advice

scottishgirl87

We are due to view a house for the second time this weekend and as we are in Scotland we have access to the Home Report. Everything all ok on the Home Report except I've noticed mention of Japanese Knotweed. The report basically says...

• Several outbreaks found in land owned by local council but on other side of a (small) field
• Shouldn't affect this property as outside influencing distance
• They do, however, recommend it's treated

Now all I know about Japanese knotweed as it's basically a no go area but the Report doesn't state just how far away it's located. Is this a no-go for us now or should it affect our offer at all? I'm conscious of the fact they've found the need to mention it despite the fact it "shouldn't" cause any problems. Also have read that most mortgage companies won't give mortgages for this reason.

anselld

Too close for comfort. If it fails to be treated it could be "within influencing distance" before you know it!

keyser666

Would agree as well, once that starts it is game over

Littleweedj

I'm currently looking for a new house and if Japanese Knotweed was even mentioned I would consider it a cause for concern and wouldn't think about buying the property.

V_Chic_Chick

I once viewed a house that had a back garden that was infested with japanese knotweed and the letting agents had given up trying to deal with it (I didn't rent it, funnily enough). Having had a look at that, I would never go near a property with japanese knotweed - it looks terrible, and it can be nigh on impossible to deal with.

Davesnave

I'm not 100% sure about the situation in Scotland, but in England, councils have a duty to treat and control knotweed on their land.

Also, if knotweed was on council land and then invaded the garden of a private home owner, the council would be liable for damages caused.

"You can also be held liable for costs incurred from the spread of Knotweed into adjacent properties.... " (From the web site linked below.)

Dealing with JK isn't as impossible as some of the less well-informed posters here suggest, but it does require persistence and tackling at the right time of year. It isn't going to be a five-minute job. Have a look at the resource below and others you might find yourself as a first step.
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/natural_environment/biodiversity/japanese_knotweed.htm

If the report doesn't give you enough info about the knotweed in the field, get in there and assess the situation for yourself, then ring the council's environmental dept and ask them what they're doing about it.

Richard_Webster

If the Council doesn't do anything then wait till next Spring when it is growing and go out and put a strong dose of Round Up on it.

HOWEVER IT LOOKS AS IF THIS IS WRONG - I BOW TO SUPERIOR WISDOM - SEE IVANA TINKLE'S POST 13 BELOW....

scottishgirl87

Thanks, all. Still a bit undecided what to do. If you were continuing with an offer would you be expecting to make a lesser offer because of this? If so, what kind of money/percentage are we talking about?

I would go and look for myself but the Home Report doesn't specify where exactly and there is fields in 2 directions of the property.

Davesnave

scottishgirl87 wrote: »

Thanks, all. Still a bit undecided what to do. If you were continuing with an offer would you be expecting to make a lesser offer because of this? If so, what kind of money/percentage are we talking about?

I would go and look for myself but the Home Report doesn't specify where exactly and there is fields in 2 directions of the property.

No one can advise on specifics, because there is no detailed info.

JK isn't hard to spot, so it really is up to you to locate what the surveyor is describing, then find a local specialist to advise if you are still unsure about the level of risk.

This is no different from doing the usual things anyone ought to do, like getting electrics checked, or visting an estate at different times to see if there are any social problems related to the location etc etc.

Mallotum_X

Richard_Webster wrote: »

If the Council doesn't do anything then wait till next Spring when it is growing and go out and put a strong dose of Round Up on it.

Trouble is Knot weed is pretty tough and a dose wont do very much. It needs repeated treatment.

One of the best times to treat is about now, as the plant dies back to the underground root system, if you inject roundup into the hollow stems it takes the poison back into the root system and weakens it. Repeated spraying can kill a small outbreak.

SleeplessinScandinavia

I would not wish to spread alarm (LOL!), but there was a story in The Guardian a while ago suggesting a mortgage could be withheld - on JK being discovered "even on your street"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/sep/08/japanese-knotweed-house-sale

I think you'd be right to include it in your considerations.