Are you wondering, can Japanese knotweed affect my mortgage?
Japanese knotweed is one of the most invasive weeds in the UK. It can affect buildings – knotweed can grow through small gaps and will then expand, breaking open cracks in foundations, walls and sewer lines. Knotweed lies dormant throughout the winter, before re-emerging in spring.
Many people can be lulled into a false sense of security and believe that the knotweed has been successfully removed when it often has not. In addition, building work can disturb dormant Japanese knotweed in the soil, causing a new patch to grow.
Depending on the size of the knotweed and how close the knotweed is located to any buildings on the property, your mortgage lender could refuse your mortgage. Or, ask you to provide a larger deposit or charge a higher interest rate.
If any knotweed is identified, nearly all mortgage lenders will require a survey by a PCA accredited surveyor.
Don't spend money that you don't have to. Send us photos of the suspected plant, and we will identify the plant for you, let us put your mind at ease.
If a Japanese knotweed treatment plan (with an insurance backed guarantee) is in place and fully paid for, many mortgage lenders will be willing to issue a mortgage. Solicitors may need to negotiate the removal of any treatment costs you incur from the price of the property.
It is worth checking with your mortgage lender or a solicitor for your legal standing, as each property and situation will prove different.
Thus, the most common and preferred treatment method for Japanese Knotweed is a herbicide treatment.
However, the best time for Japanese knotweed to be sprayed is when the plant is actively growing. This is because of the type of herbicide used.
Japanese knotweed excavation and removal usually occurs in the event that there is not enough time to treat using herbicide treatments.
Therefore, removal is the ideal solution.
Alternatively in some instances other methods of treatment can be combined to ensure complete eradication of Japanese knotweed.
For example partcial excavation, burning, temporary bund creation, membranes etc.