In 2021, RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) published a report stating that at least 1.45 million UK homes were affected by Japanese knotweed.

Having knotweed on your property poses a lot of problems - it can reduce the value of your home, make your garden look rather unsightly, and it can even cause structural issues by growing through existing cracks and holes in fences, walls and so on.

If you've discovered this plant on your property, you probably want to get rid of it ASAP. But can Japanese knotweed be completely eradicated?

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Japanese knotweed is a non-native plant that inhabits both urban and rural areas. It's the fastest-growing invasive species in the UK, and it spreads rapidly, often overwhelming other plant life. It can also cause huge issues for homeowners, as the presence of knotweed can reduce a property's market value.

In response to the problems posed by Japanese knotweed, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) developed an extensive assessment framework for surveyors to reference when inspecting an infested property.

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If you have a Japanese knotweed infestation on your property, you should be extremely careful. If the infestation spreads from your land onto neighbouring land, you can be sued. 

A quick internet search will reveal a number of legal cases where people have claimed thousands of pounds after finding Japanese knotweed that had encroached on their land. To avoid a court case, you should treat Japanese knotweed on your property before it has a chance to encroach onto neighbouring land - otherwise, you'll be left to face the consequences.

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Please note: this blog post is regularly update to reflect the most recent Japanese knotweed guidance

When Japanese knotweed was first introduced into the UK, it was used as an exciting and exotic ornamental plant. As knotweed spread and people began to realise the potential damage it could do, attitudes towards the plant began to change, with knotweed eventually finding itself criminalised in the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.

Our understanding of Japanese knotweed as a plant is constantly changing and evolving, which is why the official guidance for dealing with knotweed is also regularly updated too. The most recent update from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) was published on Wednesday 23^rd March 2022, regarding Japanese knotweed and residential properties.

The Property Care Association has also published updated guidance for professional valuers and surveyors in light of the new RICS Japanese knotweed guidance.

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A recent announcement suggests that there'll be new Japanese knotweed guidance from a range of invasive species and house associations coming soon. RICS, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee (HCLG) and Defra have worked together to tackle misinformation about knotweed. They realise that many people who are trying to buy or sell a home are left unsure how to deal with a Japanese knotweed problem, so their guidance will explain how homeowners should try to control knotweed rather than eradicate it completely.

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