Japanese knotweed - two words that strike fear into the heart of homeowners, estate agents and mortgage lenders alike.

It can be very stressful to learn that a property you're planning to buy or sell might be affected by Japanese knotweed, but here are two pieces of advice: don't panic, and don't take action without seeking the advice of an invasive weed control expert.

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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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UK news outlets publish a lot of stories about Japanese knotweed and the devastating impact it can have on house prices. If you're a homeowner, these articles may well cause you to worry - is it possible that Japanese knotweed could be growing near your property?

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Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant that has caused a lot of trouble in the UK. Live cases have risen by almost 28% in the past five years, and it's been estimated that Japanese knotweed robs the British economy of £41 million each year.

If you find Japanese knotweed growing on your property, it's important to get it under control ASAP - leaving it to grow unchecked can reduce the value of your home, and you may even find yourself on the wrong side of the law if you permit the plant to spread into the wild.

So when it comes to dealing with Reynoutria japonica, time is of the essence. That being said, you shouldn't try to tackle this plant yourself unless you know exactly what you're doing; Japanese knotweed is a tricky customer, and most amateur attempts to eradicate the plant just end up spreading it further.

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Earlier this year, as thousands were rushing to finalise their property transactions before the end of the stamp duty holiday, several property experts warned people to "be honest" about Japanese knotweed when selling their homes.

Good advice - but it seems that many sellers weren't listening. Property industry magazine The Negotiator reports that Japanese knotweed misrepresentation cases have increased by 25% in the past year, and this rise is apparently "due in part to buyers and sellers rushing transactions to win stamp duty holiday savings".

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