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

Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s Weekly Mortgage Tracker – 18/09/25

Average rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Average rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 4.54% +0.02% -0.44% 5-year fixed 4.56% +0.01% -0.05%   Lowest rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Lowest rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 3.75% +0.00% -0.24% 5-year fixed 3.89% +0.00% +0.12%   Average…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Estate Agent Talk

Slowdown in planning applications and decisions

Property lawyer says “The government have had a year to make improvements to house building and have not made any progress.” Housing Secretary Steve Reed has announced a “building acceleration package” to speed up house building in England after new figures revealed a slowdown in planning applications and decisions. David Smith, property litigation partner at…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England’s holds interest rates at 4%

With the Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates at 4%, here are some thoughts from the Industry.   Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert: “A Base Rate hold today had looked fairly nailed on, especially after yesterday’s news that inflation remains stuck at 3.8%. The later-than-usual Budget is very much on the horizon, and…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 18/09/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Exodus of Landlords – means lower supply and increased rents’ MPs have taken the Renters’ Rights Bill a major step closer to Royal Assent, confirming the scrapping of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and the end of fixed-term tenancies, which will now convert into open-ended…
Read More
Breaking News

Energy Rules Without Power: Tenants and Landlords Both Question EPC Impact

New research from LRG reveals that both landlords and tenants are struggling to engage with the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system, raising serious questions about whether it can deliver on its intended goals ahead of the government’s 2030 targets. While landlords overwhelmingly support the principle of improving energy efficiency, confidence in the system designed to…
Read More
New Builds 2020
Breaking News

New Build Home Enquiries Double in Summer 2025 

From June to August 2025, Compare My Move’s conveyancing data shows a 120% increase in new build home purchase enquiries compared to the same period in 2024.  This surge reflects not only more people looking to buy homes overall but also a higher share of buyers choosing new builds. On average, 12% of purchase enquiries in…
Read More