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Feb 21
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getting a mortgage with Japanese knotweed - a house fully infested with this invasive plant

Getting a Mortgage with Japanese Knotweed: All there is to Know

By | Japanese Knotweed | No Comments

You might have heard horror stories about Japanese knotweed causing severe damage to properties across the UK, making selling them rather difficult. No wonder Japanese knotweed infestations have caused mortgage lenders to take a cautious approach when it comes to dealing with properties that are affected by this pesky plant.

Before understanding the extent to which Japanese knotweed affects mortgages and the extra measures to take before obtaining a mortgage with this invasive plant, let’s check out what it is and how it is a problem.

What is Japanese knotweed?

Japanese knotweed is a tall herbaceous perennial plant with big shovel-shaped green leaves, white flowers, and bamboo-looking stems. As it grows really fast in almost all types of soil, it quickly spreads while growing from the underground roots (also known as rhizomes). It is extremely difficult to get rid of these rhizomes as a new plant may quickly sprout from even a tiny fragment that’s left in the soil.

How does it affect your chances of getting a mortgage?

Japanese knotweed spreads so fast that it can overtake the garden on a property in no time, ruining them completely by strangling all other plants. The roots of this dangerous plant block the drains which can even damage the foundation if left untreated. As all this damage caused by knotweed is likely to affect a property’s value, getting a mortgage with it isn’t easy. The worst is when you think you have successfully killed it off; it may be laying dormant ready to sprout again.

Knotweed has been singled out by the government and also the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors as an invasive plant, which if allowed to grow unchallenged, may increase pre-existing structural damage to properties, and disrupt paving and tarmac surfaces.

How do mortgage lenders access Japanese knotweed’s risk?

Most mortgage lenders access the risk of knotweed based on the four categories listed below:
– The plant is on a neighbouring property which is over seven metres away from the actual property’s boundary.
– The plant is on a neighbouring property within seven metres of the actual property’s boundary.
– The plant is within a property’s boundary but is over seven metres away from a residential property.
– The plant is within seven metres of a property and causes serious damage to the outbuildings, boundary walls, paths, and drains. This will need immediate treatment from an expert.

How can you get a mortgage with Japanese knotweed?

Lately, many lenders across the UK have relaxed their policies concerning Japanese knotweed, though you may still find some who refuse to lend unless you prove that the infestation has been professionally treated. So, your first step to obtaining a mortgage with Japanese knotweed is to have a knotweed treatment plan in place.

In order to evaluate the property, lenders want a survey to be conducted that allows them to find out the extent to which the plant can damage your property, along with other potential risks. Depending on how severe the infestation is, the lender could charge you a higher rate of interest to compensate for the perceived threat to the plant. You may also be asked to make a higher deposit for the mortgage. So, be prepared for what’s ahead.

Thank you for reading our blog. If you are looking to get a mortgage with this invasive knotweed, make sure to get in touch with us at CYB Environmental. As experts, our management plan and 10-year insurance-backed guarantee will ensure that lenders reverse their initial refusal to lend. Call us on 020 3005 8755 or fill out our contact form today!

Jul 16
1
Japanese knotweed grow

Where is Japanese knotweed most likely to grow?

By | Japanese Knotweed | No Comments

Japanese knotweed is a fast growing weed that can cause major damage to the infrastructure of your home if not removed quickly. You might be wondering whether Japanese knotweed is more likely to grow in certain areas, or if it favours certain climates. CYB Environmental understands how awful this weed can be, so we have put together a comprehensive guide to the growth of Japanese knotweed and what you can do to prevent it.

Where can it grow? Japanese knotweed hotspots

Unfortunately, this weed isn’t picky with location and can grow anywhere around the UK. This is why Japanese knotweed is so difficult to completely eradicate. There are certain hotspots around the country such as Manchester, East London, South Wales, and Cornwall where the weed has frequented more. Developmental and industrial works have contributed to its growth and can be a factor in the spread of Japanese knotweed.

If your property is located in these areas and is also near industrial works, keep a keen eye out for Japanese knotweed in your home.

Environet UK has built an interactive online heatmap of Japanese knotweed growth and sightings, you can access this map here. Search your property location and learn how many sightings have been recorded in the surrounding area. The map is updated daily so you’ll always have access to the latest Japanese knotweed mentions.

Originating from Japan, the weed has adapted to the UK’s climate and continues to cause havoc across the country since its introduction in the 19th Century.

Preventing its growth

Preventing growth of Japanese knotweed will benefit you hugely in the long run. Having a Japanese knotweed specialist evaluate your property can identify and kill the weed before it overruns your garden.

However, there is nothing you can do to prevent the weed from appearing, instead it’s best to focus on preventing further growth and dealing with the issues as soon as possible. Applying glyphosate based weed killer to Japanese knotweed, after cutting down and removing the canes, will stop any further growth. But keep other plants away from this weed killer, as it will destroy them.

This process may take an extended period of time, continuously exposing the plant to these chemicals will stunt its growth and prevent further spread of Japanese knotweed. Keeping it under control is a legal requirement and not doing so could result in legal action being taken against you. Read about this issue in our blog ‘Out of Control Japanese Knotweed Could Land You With a Criminal Record’.

If removal is needed

CYB Environmental offers an industry-leading Japanese knotweed treatment service, for property owners across the UK. If this weed is destroying your garden, our expert team will work with you to remove it and prevent further growth. This can be done through the use of chemicals, or manual excavation. We will assess the situation before choosing which method best suits your predicament.

Japanese knotweed is not constricted to a specific area and any UK home could find the weed on their property. Don’t wait for the situation to worsen, contact CYB Environmental for our services or general enquiries.