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

Breaking Property News 20/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Why estate and letting agents must embrace innovative technology in 2025   As we step into 2025, the UK property market continues to shift, and estate agents face mounting pressure to meet the evolving expectations of buyers and sellers. The days when static images sufficed…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 19/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   High street Auctions’ initiative launches to revive Britain’s town centres   This month the UK Government rolls out its highly anticipated ‘High Street Auctions’ scheme, a flagship measure of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This initiative grants local authorities the power to take…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Moving Up In The World: Finding Your Dream Home

Finding your dream home is one of life’s most exciting and transformative experiences. Whether you’re looking to upsize, relocate, or finally purchase that ideal property you’ve always envisioned, the journey is both thrilling and filled with important decisions. As you embark on this path, it’s essential to plan carefully, consider your priorities, and approach the…
Read More
new build home fronts
Breaking News

These cities are the keenest to move house in 2025

Bournemouth is the keenest area in the UK to move home, with 38,132 average monthly searches for moving-related topics per 100,000 residents. Plymouth is second, with 35,198 average monthly searches for moving, and Birmingham is third, with 35,181. Derry is the least keen area to move house, with only 3,170 average monthly searches related to…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Number of rental enquiries still double pre-pandemic, as rents predicted to rise 3%

The average number of enquiries sent to agents about each available property they have to rent is still nearly double the level it was in 2019, despite improvements in the balance between supply and demand: Each available property receives an average of 11 enquiries, nearly double the 6 at this time in 2019 This is…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Response to the Bank of England interest rates decision

Response to the Bank of England interest rates decision, thoughts from the Industry Rates were left unchanged at 4.75% MPC voted 6 to 3 in favour of holding rates flat, with three members preferring to cut rates by 0.25% to 4.5% In the near-term inflation is expected to “continue to rise slightly” The market was expecting rates to remain…
Read More