Has anyone bought a house with knotweed?

Maria85

Recently learned that the house we are buying has Japanese knotweed in the garden. It is over 20 metres away from the house and there is a 5 year treatment and surveillance plan in place with a 10 year guarantee.

Has anyone knowingly bought a house with knotweed or have first hand experience dealing with it? Will the treatment get rid of it? Will the stigma stick with the house and impact on the valuation in future? Should we reduce our offer to compensate for potential loss in value?

Everyone is telling me to walk away from it but is it really so bad?

Any advice/opinion welcome.

[Deleted User]

I don't have any knowledge of it myself, but this thread might help answer some questions: 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5820757/japanese-knotweed-has-started

t1redmonkey

I viewed a house a few weeks ago with the same situation you described so looked into it a bit.  Decided not to offer on it in the end (but was because of other reasons, not just the knotweed) but found some good info on the recent updates guidance about knotweed here: https://hoa.org.uk/2022/02/japanese-knotweed/

Basically it’s been downgraded compared to how it used to be viewed based on more extensive research that’s been done (unlikely to damage buildings with solid foundations).  That said, I’d probably expect a reduction in the purchase price still if it was me buying since it’s still a hassle to keep on top of it by the sounds of it.

babyblade41

If you have a guarantee from the company that has treated it then it's no big deal.. depending on how risk averse you are and how big a problem it is.

Just get the right people accredited to do the job

Martisha

Buying a house is enough stressful experience, why adding even more stress to it?

london21

I personally wouldn't.

If you want to sell it in the future, the problem might keep coming up.

[Deleted User]

Don't be put off by others, as @babyblade41 says, do your due diligence and it will be fine.

tooldle

We have knotweed in the garden. Previous owner treated it themselves, so no guarantee or surveillance. We keep a careful eye, and treat emerging shots as we see them. Easy enough to do.

babyblade41

I agree , it's not such a major problem now & I would treat it myself unless if I was selling then I'd get a company in to offer a guarantee .

Certainly wouldn't put me off a property 

Maria85

Thanks everyone. There are so few houses available in our area at the moment. It has taken over a year to even have an offer accepted so the thought of pulling out makes me what to cry. As does shoots of knotweed popping up all over the place! 

Doozergirl

https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/real-estate/japanese-knotweed-and-residential-property-1st-edition-feb-2022.pdf

Someone's posted a link, but this is the actual RICS guidance for surveyors issued this year.  The problem has always been overstated but it seems that there is real effort to destigmatise it now.