How Do Mortgage Lenders Respond to Japanese Knotweed on a Property?

When purchasing a house it is obvious that the potential buyer would get a surveyor to check the condition of the property and estimate its value.  But what if the surveyor discovered the house (which the buyer thought would be his/her perfect home) contains Japanese Knotweed? How would mortgage lenders respond to a property with Japanese Knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed is a plant brought into the UK during the 19th Century for its ornamental beauty.  The plant has changed from being an ornamental plant to being an invasive species that can do serious damage to the physical structures of a property and as a consequence of this it almost certainly affects the decision on whether mortgage lenders will lend on the property.

If Japanese Knotweed is found within or close to the boundary of a property it can lower the value of the property and some mortgage lenders will be reluctant to lend on the property – however  it is not all doom and gloom –  many mortgage lenders will consider lending if there is evidence of a fully funded professional treatment or eradication programme being in place for the property.

One of the most common Japanese Knotweed treatment plans is a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) drafted in accordance to ‘The Knotweed Code of Practice’, 2013 (version 3).  It is usually the property seller’s responsibility to arrange for an appropriate Knotweed Management Plan and the buyer should satisfy themselves that it is fit for purpose. Ideally it should be provided by a member of the PCA. (Property Care Association).

When arranging a Knotweed Management Plan it is important to use a Property Care Association accredited Japanese Knotweed specialist.  This ensures that the provider of the Knotweed Management Plan adheres to strict standards of professional expertise set by the association.  Each mortgage lender will have their own lending policies and any presence of Japanese Knotweed on a property is going to affect their decisions. There is a possibility that the lender will retain funds from the buyer until the Knotweed has been treated or removed.

Japanese Knotweed Ltd is the UK’s LARGEST PCA accredited Japanese Knotweed Remediation Company. We pride ourselves for our professional experience, quality of service, customer care and competitive quotes.
If you suspect Japanese Knotweed on your property or on a property you are looking to purchase, please speak to us on 01794 330 196 or visit www.japaneseknotweed.co.uk

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Working-age Britons, poorest households

Working-age Britons, poorest households and the North East are suffering most from substandard housing, new data shows Never before seen analysis of the latest English Housing Survey has exposed the staggering inequalities in the monetary and social cost of living in poor-quality homes. In the North East, households are paying five times more than those…
Read More
Breaking News

Deposit Size Could Make or Break Your Budget in 2025

Mind the Deposit Gap: Why Your Mortgage Deposit Could Make or Break Your Budget in 2025 As UK homeowners and buyers face rising costs and tight affordability, specialist lender Hodge Bank warns that the size of your mortgage deposit could now play an even bigger role in long-term financial wellbeing. Hodge is urging homeowners and…
Read More
Breaking News

Government continues to withhold Renters’ Rights Bill court impact study

Government continues to withhold Renters’ Rights Bill court impact study, citing policy ‘safe space’ despite ‘unacceptable’ court delays Reapit appeals decision. The government has again declined to publish its Justice Impact Test for the Renters’ Rights Bill, this time in response to a Freedom of Information request, citing the need to preserve a “safe space”…
Read More
Breaking News

Urban Property Values Outpace Coastal & Countryside Markets

City Living Resurgence as Urban House Prices Outpace Coastal and Countryside Markets The latest research from eXp UK has found that city living is firmly back in favour, with the nation’s major cities seeing a stronger average rate of house price growth compared to coastal and countryside locations. The research by eXp UK analysed the…
Read More
how to present your property for sale
Breaking News

This one property size has grown by almost 20% in the last five years

The latest research from over-50s property specialists, Regency Living, reveals that the average size of park homes in England has increased by almost 20% over the past five years, reflecting a growing demand for park homes as primary residences, not just holiday getaways. Regency Living has examined the five-year change in the average footprint of…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters see bigger increase in monthly payments than mortgaged homeowners over last three years – up £221 pcm

New analysis1 from Zoopla, one of the UK’s leading property websites, reveals that private renters have seen a greater increase in their monthly housing costs since 2022 than mortgaged homeowners. Average rents in the UK currently sit at £1,283 per month, with mortgage repayments for an average outstanding loan at £1,154 per month. Over the…
Read More