New Build Japanese Knotweed found during valuation survey

iammumtoone

robox09 wrote: »

I emailed the surveyor who completed the valuation survey and received this vague reply about the JK on the site or near the plot we wish to buy:

I am aware anecdotally from speaking with other surveyors that JK has been reported elsewhere on the site, as to where exactly I do not know.

This would ring alarm bells with me. I am sure surveyors from the same area do talk down the pub or where ever they go. One of them probably mentioned they thought they had seen JK on building site X and another one said, yes so do did I. I doubt your surveyor would know where his colleagues had seen it, they probably didn't go into that much detail.

Of course they could wrong it might not be JK but you need to be 100% sure of this before proceeding. Can you get access all around to your proposed buy? Is it possible you could go and have a noisy about without anyone knowing to see if you can spot the offending plant yourself?

lee111s

If there is JK then I'm sure this wouldn't be the firs trhe builder had heard about it?

I'd go knocking on doors asking if any of those who actually live in houses were informed about it.

You could even discuss with the builder about them letting a specialist (at your cost or even shared cost) survey the site for JK to find out for sure.

It's poor of the RICS guy to just say "someone told me there was JK".

moneyistooshorttomention

iammumtoone wrote: »

This would ring alarm bells with me. I am sure surveyors from the same area do talk down the pub or where ever they go. One of them probably mentioned they thought they had seen JK on building site X and another one said, yes so do did I. I doubt your surveyor would know where his colleagues had seen it, they probably didn't go into that much detail.

Of course they could wrong it might not be JK but you need to be 100% sure of this before proceeding. Can you get access all around to your proposed buy? Is it possible you could go and have a noisy about without anyone knowing to see if you can spot the offending plant yourself?

Agreed:T

...and never mind the "without anyone knowing" because you are absolutely entitled to know exactly what you are buying. I'd be having a look with the mindset of "I am absolutely entitled to do so" in your position and I'd like to see anyone try and challenge me about it (builder or otherwise). Your money = your absolute right to do this.

iammumtoone

lee111s wrote: »

It's poor of the RICS guy to just say "someone told me there was JK".

robox09 wrote: »

I emailed the surveyor who completed the valuation survey and received this vague reply about the JK on the site or near the plot we wish to buy:

I am aware anecdotally from speaking with other surveyors that JK has been reported elsewhere on the site, as to where exactly I do not know.

In light of lees comment have I misread your post?

I read it as you asked the surveyor and they stood by the report that is was there PLUS that they are aware that other surveyors had spotted it as well

or is it as Lee interpreted

The surveyor didn't actually see any themselves just put this in the report as they had heard it was present on the site.

There is a big different between the two interpretations!

BobQ

lee111s wrote: »

It's poor of the RICS guy to just say "someone told me there was JK".

Either he made it up or someone did tell him.

Why would he make it up?

If someone did tell him, would it not be irresponsible of him not to mention it?

These days, I would be surprised that a RICS surveyor did not know what JK looked like, its been around for years. Its quite possible that some was noticed and it was treated by the owner of the plot and there is now no evidence of it being there. Does not mean it is not on the plot.