Selling a house with knotweed

Davesnave

sxcizme3010 wrote: »

Iv tried contacting the agents and informing them however they dont seem in the least bit bothered. I just wouldnt want somebody paying the asking price (way over its worth) and then having to pay for the removal of it on top of all other costs. I feel awful and its not even my house :-(

Do it in writing, tracked, from two different POs and keep a copy +your proofs of posting.

Having told the agents in writing, they will have to disclose, or they will be in breach of their legal responsibility to make buyers aware of material facts.

It will be hard for them to deny this knowledge, if you do the above and it later goes to court.

Marktheshark

Think we can work out why they are moving.
You live next door don't you....

sxcizme3010

Im close friends and they have told me that they havent had it treated properly - they said they are going to keep on top of it with weedkiller and keep digging it out etc until its sold. I wish I could mind my own business however I feel this is awful and if I was the buyer I would be mortified!

sxcizme3010

and no I dont live next door - if I did I would make them get the problem sorted so it doesnt spread!

Davesnave

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Have you thought of minding your own business?

What? You mean like ignoring the old bloke who drops his specs in the supermarket, or the kid who is pulling up the plants in the local park?

I know the sort of thing: no eye contact, haven't seen it, so can't really be expected to act.

PS. I live on the other side, Mark.:rotfl:

sxcizme3010

Dan Dan - How would you feel if you were the buyer?

DaftyDuck

Question is, where do you draw the line? If you know a house has woodworm, subsidence, a neighbour dispute, bindweed, knotweed, a mole in the garden, is on a faultline, and likely to fall into the sea? Dry rot? Wet rot? Cement rot?

Knotweed is not alone in being a problem for housebuyers. It is one that has caught the popularity bug at the moment, especially so amongst some forumites.

Would I tell? I'd certainly point out to my friend (if they were that) that misinformation on the Property Information form was a serious matter, and they'd fall foul in the longer run. But, if they chose to lie or ignore the problem, I really don't know that I'd choose to do any more, as I don't think knowing of JK is any different from knowing of subsidence, rot, or whatever.....

... and, with three other houses on sale in the same street as I'm selling one right now, I do know of serious woodworm hiding in the attic of one, of a SERIOUSLY angry gull living on the roof of another (where the drain perpetually blocks ), and the third is close enough to the sea cliff I suspect it has some subsidence... Have I highlighted these to owners or agent? Nope.

sxcizme3010

Yes I understand - when I bought my house the boiler was broken, kitchen wasnt installed correctly and oven was broken however these things didnt devalue my house. They are asking about 15% more than what the house is worth (although they have said they will drop the price) Thats a valuation based on no JK. They are effectively ripping the buyers off by thousands of pounds.... If that was you - what would your opinion be then?

Hoploz

The best thing to do is to advise your friends that, if they haven't already found out, they will be asked by a direct question on the property information form whether there is Knotweed on the property. If they were to tick No, then as soon as the buyer realises it is there they will come back to them and sue them for the costs they incur in getting rid of it.

Dan-Dan

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Some of us like to be able to sleep at night with a clear conscience.

Theres obviously a hidden story to this , who is to say the op isnt trying to sabotage a perfectly good sale for reasons unknown