Japanese Knotweed: Problem or Knot?


By Mike Clough, Chief Executive, Japanese Knotweed Solutions


If you were to believe everything that you read - then currently you may be under the impression that your property is under attack by an alien plant that can grow through anything and smashes concrete for fun..? There are many horror stories around but should you be in a panic and be unable to sleep… or is this all down to ‘scaremongering’ by unscrupulous contractors trying to make a quick buck?


From its introduction to its rapid accidental spread, Japanese Knotweed has gone from being a prized ornamental plant to an object of complete paranoia. Recent statements by mortgage lenders have fuelled this panic by stating that they … ‘will not provide a mortgage on a property with Japanese Knotweed within 30 metres of a boundary’.


The situation has been further confused by a lender that would provide a mortgage on a property with Japanese Knotweed but would not lend on a property with knotweed just outside of the ownership. Whilst this may sound a little confusing if you actually think it through then it does make sense – knotweed within a boundary can be managed and treated, knotweed outside of the boundary is ‘outside’ of your control.


The hard facts of issues relating to mortgages are that in these harsh economic times – if a lender has any reason to withhold money – then it will. The careful homeowner should have answers for the surveyor who spots knotweed on your property. Employing a trained specialist will alleviate most problems from picky lenders but a detailed report prepared using advice and information available on the internet should also be sufficient to push a sale through. Well documented photographs and details of precautions taken should be kept as well as marked and fenced areas where treatment has been undertaken.


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If a detailed programme of works has been commissioned and careful track kept relating to areas of growth – then there is no reason for a lender to withhold money on a mortgage. The Council for Mortgage Lenders is currently preparing an advisory document which should clarify all of the points relating to Japanese Knotweed and should be available later this year.


I believe that I am uniquely placed to try and clarify some of these issues having been involved with Japanese Knotweed eradication from the ‘birth’ of the industry.


I qualified as a Landscape Architect in the early 80’s at a time when ‘wildlife’ gardens were all the rage. Everyone was reducing the time spent on eradicating ‘weeds’ and deciding to abandon mowing regimes on their grassed areas in favour of ‘wild flower’ meadows. Swathes of uncut grass abounded with reduced areas of short mown high maintenance sward.


Japanese Knotweed was often planted as a screen or a green alternative for embankment stabilisation, and Buddleja was actively encouraged to grow and planted by the hundreds to encourage butterflies. These two species are now the bane of the rail track


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