A homeowner from London has claimed nearly £30,000 after Japanese knotweed, the invasive plant introduced to the UK in the mid1800's, encroached onto their property from one of their neighbours. Knotweed has a long history of devaluing homes up and down the country as a result of its deep, fast-growing root system damaging surrounding land.

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Buying a house is a stressful experience at the best of times, but discovering that your new home (or a neighbouring property) is affected by Japanese knotweed can turn your move into a complete nightmare.

But don't panic! Japanese knotweed is certainly a setback, but you don't necessarily have to wave goodbye to your dream home just yet. Here's some expert advice from the Japanese knotweed specialists here at Taylor Total Weed Control...

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A housing estate in Sturrocks in Basildon could see the value of its properties take a notable hit following the increasing growth of Japanese knotweed in the area.

Effects of Japanese Knotweed on House Price

Japanese knotweed has a dark and storied history in the property industry and is commonly vilified in the media as a fiendish and fearful infestation – and rightfully so.

The mere presence of the invasive plant can have a decidedly negative influence on house prices and, if left untreated, the knotty vine even has the potential to inhibit the structural integrity of the property.

As such, quick action is necessary and it's recommended that treatment begins as soon as a Japanese knotweed infestation is discovered. Sadly, such recommendation was not followed by Basildon Council…

Deaf Ears

Despite reporting the presence of Japanese knotweed to the local council for six months, residents of Basildon’s Vange estate have had to stand idly by and watch the growing problem escalate as their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

 “It’s disgusting that the council isn’t dealing with this”, said local resident Caroline Baxter. “We all pay our rates and shouldn’t have to deal with this going on here.”

Another inhabitant of the area, Barry Jones, also took aim at the council with his remarks:

“I think the council needs to get its act together and fix this issue. If they had done something about it then, it would have been gone by now.

“I will be so angry if the plant damages my garden and or home. If it’s left too long the whole estate will be covered in it.”

Delayed Reactions

Mr Jones also went on to highlight the safety hazards that knotweed brings to the area, noting that “people have suffered burns and blisters from the plant in the past”.

Commenting on the situation, a spokesperson for the local council had this response:

“We recently identified a case of Japanese Knotweed in Sturrocks and it was added to our contractors spraying list and has had its first spray.”

However, with a six-month head-start, have the council left it too late to nip this issue in the bud? One thing is for sure, they have definitely not made their job any easier.

Japanese Knotweed Treatment

As we touched on earlier, the sooner you address the problem, the quicker you will overcome it. As such, early diagnosis and early treatment is a vital part of the process and can be the difference between widespread problems and wholesale relief.

You notice a Japanese knotweed issue on your property, a neighbouring property or in the locale, it’s well worth getting it checked out. As seen in this instance, the council have a habit of dragging their feet and the issue is only likely to get a whole lot worse.

At Taylor Weed Control, we are fully equipped to tackle your knotweed nuisance once and for all and can quickly and efficiently banish your Eastern enemy from whence it came. All it takes is a phone call!

For more information on Japanese knotweed treatment from Taylor Weed Control, why not drop us a line? Call now on 029 2039 7554 to speak with one of our experts or get in touch online to request a FREE knotweed survey today.

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Japanese knotweed troubles once again hit the headlines this week as shocking news surfaced about the extent of effects JKW can have on house prices.

According to some experts, the average drop in house value is a startling 10% – all the more reason to nip your problem in the bud if you suspect knotweed is lurking on your property.

Frightful Statistics

Property comparison site, Zoopla, notes that the average price of a property in Wales was approximately £180k. For the average home, that equates to a troubling £18k lost simply through the mere presence of Japanese knotweed.

Flawed Science

Back in May, The Telegraph reported that that the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee viewed the banks’ stance on JKW as an “overly cautious” approach to the issue.

According to the article, the committee noted that the structural impact of Japanese knotweed “might not be as significant as previously believed.''

Nevertheless, the banks and mortgage lenders continue to hold firm in their steadfast approach to the pricing of Japanese knotweed properties.

The Smart Choice

While the impact on price will naturally vary from one property to the next, the 10% figure is a good rule of thumb for anyone looking to buy or sell a property with Japanese knotweed present on site.

If you’re looking to sell your property, it can be far more financially beneficial to treat the problem before you sell, particularly if the fee equates to less than 10% of your property value.

Japanese Knotweed Removal

If you’re looking to stop your Japanese knotweed issue dead in its tracks, here are Taylor Weed Control, we can help send your sinister squatters back from whence they came.

Our team of experts have over 15 years’ experience in weed removal and have dealt with countless cases of knotweed first-hand, up-close and personal.

As Wales’ foremost Japanese knotweed specialists, we take great pride in making homes knotweed-free, with a variety of proven techniques and methods to do just that.

Protect your home and your property value by treating your Japanese knotweed issue today before it gets out of hand. The alternative could prove costly!

For more information on Japanese knotweed treatment from Taylor Weed Control, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or get in touch online using the button below.

Get in Touch

Selling a house whose garden is infested with Japanese knotweed is a tricky proposition. Japanese knotweed can have an impact on the value of a property, and make your home less desirable in the eyes of potential buyers.

It may be tempting to just play dumb and pretend you're unaware of the invasive species in your back garden, but if you conceal the fact that there is Japanese knotweed on a property you're selling, you may be breaking the law.

Whether you're a homeowner or an estate agent, here are some tips to help you complete the sale AND stay on the right side of the law.

First, make sure it actually IS Japanese knotweed.

If you think there's Japanese knotweed on a property you're trying to sell, your first course of action should be to call an expert.

Note that Japanese knotweed looks quite similar to a number of other plants and weeds - including bindweed, Russian vine, broadleaf dock and ground elder, so we recommend contacting a Japanese knotweed specialist and asking them to carry out a survey of your property.

An experienced professional will be able to confirm whether or not you have a Japanese knotweed problem and advise you on what to do next.

READ MORE: How to Identify Japanese Knotweed

Declare the knotweed presence

Japanese knotweed isn't technically classified as a 'notifiable weed', but since 2013, the Law Society's TA6 form includes a specific question on the subject of Japanese knotweed. Failure to disclose information relating to a knotweed infestation on your property can be deemed a breach of Consumer Protection Rights regulations.

Naturally, such a transgression can have legal ramifications, providing solid grounds for misrepresentation and potentially leaving you open to a lawsuit. So it's best to be honest and upfront about the issue during the entire selling process.

Insurance backed guarantee

If it turns out that you do indeed have Japanese knotweed on your property, it's important to take action as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the worse the knotweed infestation will get.

Mortgage lenders can be extremely hesitant to lend the full amount if a property has Japanese knotweed. However, lenders can be persuaded - you just need to take a proactive approach.

We recommend finding a Japanese knotweed removal specialist who offers a knotweed insurance backed guarantee, i.e. a warranty that will safeguard you in the event that the infestation should return after treatment.

If you can demonstrate that appropriate removal measures have been implemented, this will potentially convince mortgage lenders to overlook the fact that you have Japanese knotweed on your property (or at last lead them to be more sympathetic to your situation).

READ MORE: Mortgages & Japanese Knotweed

Don't expect a quick fix

Japanese knotweed control can be a lengthy process - several visits will be required, and a complete course of treatment often takes around three years. If you want to maximise your home's value, you may want to refrain from selling until after your knotweed problem has been eradicated.

That being said, if you really are in a rush to sell your house despite the presence of Japanese knotweed, you may be forced to take a hit on the sale price in exchange for speed of the sale. This might mean that lenders are put off, in which case you'll have to take the cash buyer route; as a result, you could see the sale price drop by up to 20% below market value.

Call the professional

Essentially, if you're serious about selling a house that has Japanese knotweed (and you don't fancy dealing with a lawsuit or slashing your sale price), your best option is to call in the pros and get to the root of the problem.

Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we specialise in Japanese knotweed removal and have over 15 years' experience under our belts. For a long-term solution with an insurance-backed guarantee, Japanese knotweed removal from Taylor Weed Control is the smart choice for you and your property.

Contact us to request a FREE survey