New Build Japanese Knotweed found during valuation survey

daveyjp

I'd want good evidence that the surveyor definately saw Japanese Knotweed.

Assuming he visited recently call and ask him what he saw. At this time of year treated knotweed looks exactly the same as non treated.

Cakeguts

Ask yourself why a builder would build houses on a site where there is Japanese Knotweed? You would expect them to have dealt with the contaminated land before they started building? So if they aren't worried about selling houses that could be contaminated with JK what do you think the quality of the build of the new houses is going to be like?

If you plan to only live there for 3 to 4 years what are you going to do if you can't sell the house because no one wants to buy a house with JK close by?

moneyistooshorttomention

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

Have you had a good look at JK? There can be a froth at the cut base when it's active - it's an unmistakeable sign of voracious activity in the rhizomes (the root system) which will grow extensively underground. JK can be killed but the most effective treatment (other than digging up the entire site) is quite intensive (pouring herbicide inside the bamboo-like stem). It would cost £bns to clear it from the UK because there is a lot of it about.

If you can avoid it, stay away. Find a home without that stuff lurking around. I know you really fancy this house but we have to answer honestly now that you've asked!

I've just learnt something for the day there - ie re "froth" at the base. I'm picturing something that would look like a mass of soapy bubbles from detergent in water. Is that what it looks like? Do you have a link to any images?

Or do you mean what I look for of first signs - ie looking like reddy colour asparagus emerging from the soil?

moneyistooshorttomention

Cakeguts wrote: »

Ask yourself why a builder would build houses on a site where there is Japanese Knotweed? You would expect them to have dealt with the contaminated land before they started building? So if they aren't worried about selling houses that could be contaminated with JK what do you think the quality of the build of the new houses are going to be like?

My cynics take on that one - ie why the builder got the site in the first place - would amount to "Because it was so cheap - courtesy of everyone nearby knowing about the JK and therefore not wanting the land".

False economy by the builder I should say - as I've been following house prices of newly built houses on land near me that has JK. Nothing wrong with the houses themselves and they'd do nicely for starter houses for someone if all else was equal. They aren't sold yet. The price of them has already dropped very substantially (ie a LOT more than £10,000). I've been monitoring each drop in price as it happened. I suspect the builder is in the position that the only people they would be able to sell the houses to are incomers retiring to this area (ie might not know about the land) - but incomers don't tend to want starter houses.

getmore4less

Check the planning applications for the site, talk to those already living in the places, relevant departments of the council etc.

Every bit of research you can until convinced.

Davesnave

Mossfarr wrote: »

Phew, that youtube vid really puts it in perspective...

Not entirely. That video with the ghastly Christine Walkden needs viewing in the context that JK has been with us for a very long time. I can remember seeing lots of it as a child, and I'm a pensioner now.

Despite this, I doubt if anyone will claim here that they know someone who's been made homeless by the weed, or had it demolish their house.

The main reason it now attracts headlines is the attitude of mortgage lenders to its proven existence within 7m of a property, which does have a real effect on people's lives. Before lenders took an interest, very few of the public did.

The weed itself is fully treatable, albeit with proper knowledge and care, so it is mainly the lack of effective legislation to enforce control which is still the greatest obstacle to its eradication.

glasgowdan

JKW isn't that big a deal and is easily treatable.

However, the public aren't educated in the matter and listen to Daily Mail headlines and see sad looking couples on "Homes From Hell" and such drivel so they think it's straight from the pits of Mordor.

Because of this, your resale in 2-3 years will be a problem, not just due to Joe Simple, but also because you're buying a NEW BUILD, which is very likely to depreciate!!!

Go and buy a nicely done up ex local authority house in an area of good schooling and enjoy easy resale again in a couple of years.

paddycharlie

Which development was it in?

lee111s

glasgowdan wrote: »

Because of this, your resale in 2-3 years will be a problem, not just due to Joe Simple, but also because you're buying a NEW BUILD, which is very likely to depreciate!!!

Utter rubbish.

glasgowdan

lee111s wrote: »

Utter rubbish.

Have you just bought a new build then? I follow the local housing market very closely and new builds for sale 2-3 years later are almost always less than they were new. One of my clients sold for £15k less than they paid 3 years previously. Loads others the same.

So, no, sadly not rubbish.

First bit of rightmove digging and this comes up on a nearby newish estate. Quite scary!