Due to the extent of the Japanese Knotweed problem in the UK, professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have published extensive white papers on the challenges the plant can cause to its members.
RICS most recent paper published in 2022 is designed to provide advise to Chartered Surveyors. A link to the full report is provided at the end of this article.
“It is acknowledged that currently the presence of Japanese knotweed may be a significant impediment to the sale and purchase of a property, and it can affect both value and saleability. This effect may be present irrespective of whether the Japanese knotweed is close to the dwelling, at the bottom of a long garden or actually damaging ancillary features. It is often the mere presence of the Japanese knotweed that is regarded as the problem, while any damaging effects are secondary.”
It is now generally acknowledged that having a Japanese Knotweed infestation on or near your property and grounds will have a detrimental effect on both the value of your property and the saleability. That is why it is crucial to act quickly – both to understand the cause of the problem, which could cost thousands to remedy, and to have it professionally removed.
The RICS report backs this up:
- The treatment of Japanese knotweed is expensive, disruptive and can affect the quiet enjoyment of a property for a number of years. By contrast, killing or removing buddleia or trees is comparatively straightforward.
- Ground affected by Japanese knotweed cannot be developed without taking special precautions, typically including the removal and disposal of contaminated soil by appropriately licensed operators. This will increase development costs.
- Remediating Japanese knotweed growth in a neighbouring property or on adjacent public land is more problematic than growth solely on the subject property because the property owner lacks effective control over the treatment regime.
In all these cases, and many others, the fault is rarely in the hands of you, the homeowner. Your infestation may have come from a surrounding property or authority / corporate managed land. If this is the case, you do have a potential claim, both for the cost of removal and compensation.
If you would like a free no obligation discussion with our claims specialist to discuss your concerns in more detail, go to our Japanese Knotweed Claims page on this website click here or use the email / telephone number at the bottom of this web page to contact us direct.
If you do have an actionable claim for compensation that we can support, we will proceed on a 100% no win – no fee basis for your complete peace of mind.
To view the full RICS report, click here.
