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 Total Weed Control...
(If you're new to Japanese knotweed and the problems it can cause, start here: What is Japanese Knotweed?)
Buying a House with Knotweed | Contents Guide
- Buying a house with knotweed - TA6 form
- Should I buy a house with knotweed?
- Selling a house with knotweed
- Getting a mortgage on a house with knotweed
- How can we help?
How will I know if the property I'm buying has Japanese knotweed?
In theory, the seller will disclose that information on their TA6 Property Information Form. If the seller is aware of a Japanese knotweed problem but decides to keep quiet about it, they may be found guilty of misrepresentation further down the line.
But what if the seller isn't aware of the Japanese knotweed in their garden? Even if there's no visible sign of the plant, its rhizomes (roots) may be present in the soil, ready to sprout as soon as you're settled in. So what should you do if the seller answers the TA6 form's Japanese knotweed question with an unhelpful 'Not known'?
The best course of action is to find a specialist Japanese knotweed contractor and ask them to conduct a survey of your prospective new home - with the current owner's permission, of course. A professional knotweed survey will give you a clearer idea of the state of the house you're purchasing.
Should I buy a house that's affected by Japanese knotweed?
With help from Total Weed Control, the presence of Japanese knotweed should not stop you from buying your ideal home.
It is important that the Japanese knotweed is professionally controlled, and that the control programme is supported by a 10 year insurance-backed company guarantee; otherwise, taking on a property with uncontrolled Japanese knotweed can leave you legally responsible for the plant's growth. Not controlling the Japanese knotweed can result in legal action if it spreads onto neighbouring properties – and when you come to sell your home, knotweed that has not been professionally managed can make the sale more difficult.
However, Total Weed Control can sort all of this out – so you can still buy your ideal home, even with Japanese knotweed.
Selling a house with Japanese knotweed
Should you ever decide to sell your house and move elsewhere, your knotweed problem may make it difficult to find a willing buyer. Japanese knotweed can significantly reduce the value of an otherwise attractive property, and you may end up having to slash your asking price in order to get people interested.
Of course, all of the above is moot if you're unable to buy the house in the first place! Which brings us to question number two...
Will lenders be willing to offer me a mortgage?
A professional Japanese knotweed control programme from Total Weed Control (supported by a 10 year insurance-backed company guarantee) will normally be all that is needed to satisfy the mortgage companies’ concerns about Japanese knotweed, enabling you to get a mortgage and purchase your new home.
How can Total Weed Control help?
We at Total Weed Control have been dealing with Japanese knotweed for years, so you can rest assured we know exactly what we're doing. If you're thinking of purchasing a property that's affected by Japanese knotweed, we can provide:
- A comprehensive survey with report, Japanese knotweed management plan (JKMP) and estimated costs
- Professional Japanese knotweed removal, carried out by specialists in line with all relevant environmental regulations
- An insurance-backed guarantee, giving you peace of mind that your Japanese knotweed problem is under control
Contact Total Weed Control now to discuss your requirements with a Japanese knotweed expert. We know that property deals can be highly time-sensitive, so we always aim to deliver our services as swiftly as possible.
Request a Japanese Knotweed Survey >
Photo from Pixabay
Is It Japanese Knotweed?
