Recent research has uncovered some insightful stats regarding the Japanese knotweed hotspots in the UK, which could pose a worry to homeowners in Wales and the West. It has been revealed that the most serious Japanese knotweed hotspots reside along the west coast.

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Selling a house whose garden is infested with Japanese knotweed is a tricky proposition. Japanese knotweed can have an impact on the value of a property, and make your home less desirable in the eyes of potential buyers.

It may be tempting to just play dumb and pretend you're unaware of the invasive species in your back garden, but if you conceal the fact that there is Japanese knotweed on a property you're selling, you may be breaking the law.

Whether you're a homeowner or an estate agent, here are some tips to help you complete the sale AND stay on the right side of the law.

First, make sure it actually IS Japanese knotweed.

If you think there's Japanese knotweed on a property you're trying to sell, your first course of action should be to call an expert.

Note that Japanese knotweed looks quite similar to a number of other plants and weeds - including bindweed, Russian vine, broadleaf dock and ground elder, so we recommend contacting a Japanese knotweed specialist and asking them to carry out a survey of your property.

An experienced professional will be able to confirm whether or not you have a Japanese knotweed problem and advise you on what to do next.

READ MORE: How to Identify Japanese Knotweed

Declare the knotweed presence

Japanese knotweed isn't technically classified as a 'notifiable weed', but since 2013, the Law Society's TA6 form includes a specific question on the subject of Japanese knotweed. Failure to disclose information relating to a knotweed infestation on your property can be deemed a breach of Consumer Protection Rights regulations.

Naturally, such a transgression can have legal ramifications, providing solid grounds for misrepresentation and potentially leaving you open to a lawsuit. So it's best to be honest and upfront about the issue during the entire selling process.

Insurance backed guarantee

If it turns out that you do indeed have Japanese knotweed on your property, it's important to take action as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the worse the knotweed infestation will get.

Mortgage lenders can be extremely hesitant to lend the full amount if a property has Japanese knotweed. However, lenders can be persuaded - you just need to take a proactive approach.

We recommend finding a Japanese knotweed removal specialist who offers a knotweed insurance backed guarantee, i.e. a warranty that will safeguard you in the event that the infestation should return after treatment.

If you can demonstrate that appropriate removal measures have been implemented, this will potentially convince mortgage lenders to overlook the fact that you have Japanese knotweed on your property (or at last lead them to be more sympathetic to your situation).

READ MORE: Mortgages & Japanese Knotweed

Don't expect a quick fix

Japanese knotweed control can be a lengthy process - several visits will be required, and a complete course of treatment often takes around three years. If you want to maximise your home's value, you may want to refrain from selling until after your knotweed problem has been eradicated.

That being said, if you really are in a rush to sell your house despite the presence of Japanese knotweed, you may be forced to take a hit on the sale price in exchange for speed of the sale. This might mean that lenders are put off, in which case you'll have to take the cash buyer route; as a result, you could see the sale price drop by up to 20% below market value.

Call the professional

Essentially, if you're serious about selling a house that has Japanese knotweed (and you don't fancy dealing with a lawsuit or slashing your sale price), your best option is to call in the pros and get to the root of the problem.

Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we specialise in Japanese knotweed removal and have over 15 years' experience under our belts. For a long-term solution with an insurance-backed guarantee, Japanese knotweed removal from Taylor Weed Control is the smart choice for you and your property.

Contact us to request a FREE survey

Finding Japanese knotweed in your garden can be quite a punch in the gut. Unfortunately, it's now your responsibility to ensure that this invasive plant species does not spread from your property to somebody else's (law explained here).

Calling in a specialist contractor to take care of your Japanese knotweed problem can be costly - accordingly, it's not unusual for desperate homeowners to attempt a bit of DIY Japanese knotweed removal.

However, we DO NOT RECOMMEND removing Japanese knotweed yourself. The UK has strict laws in place to limit the spread of Japanese knotweed, and if you accidentally help this alien species to spread further, you may be prosecuted. Instead of taking the DIY approach, you're better off getting in touch with an experienced professional who knows how to control Japanese knotweed properly.

Our Japanese Knotweed Removal Service >>

Why shouldn't I remove Japanese knotweed myself?

Because you can get into serious trouble if you do it wrong. To quote the UK government's advice on how to dispose of Japanese knotweed:

"You could be fined up to £5,000 or be sent to prison for up to 2 years if you allow contaminated soil or plant material from any waste you transfer to spread into the wild."

Even a tiny fragment of Japanese knotweed root can grow into a whole new plant if it finds its way back into the soil. For this reason, knotweed must be handled with extreme care at all times, and there are rules about how you can dispose of it.

Again, we DO NOT RECOMMEND removing Japanese knotweed on your own. It's far safer to use a specialist contractor who's registered with the Property Care Association.

That said, we know that some people will ignore all warnings and attempt to clear away Japanese knotweed on their own anyway. With that in mind, we've put together a few DIY Japanese knotweed removal tips for those who are determined to do it themselves, regardless of the risks.

DIY Japanese knotweed removal tips

If you're determined to take on the sinister soil-dweller from The Land of the Rising Sun by yourself, it's not a decision to be taken lightly.

The slightest misstep could see the roots spread further and totally monopolise your garden. This may even have a negative impact on the value of your home.

As such, it's important get it right first time. To avoid accidentally spreading the plant, follow these tips...

1. Act quickly.

Japanese knotweed is notoriously difficult to get under control so early action is vital - this is no time to sit around and smell the roses.

Take action as soon as possible to nip the problem in the bud and catch your knotweed nuisance before it gets out of hand.

2. Remove all traces of the plant's roots.

The best way to take assertive action in your knotweed war it to get to the root of the problem by attacking the roots. Sadly, this is easier said than done and can be a lot more difficult than you might think.

Japanese knotweed roots (more properly called 'rhizomes') can bury themselves up to two metres below the surface. Worse still, it only takes a small piece of rogue root to grow into a new plant and potentially spread further.

3. Don't rely on 'alternative' treatments.

Alternative Japanese knotweed treatments and natural remedies - such as coffee, lime and vinegar - are very much like trying to cure a serious illness without prescription medication or surgical treatment. The evidence of their success is dubious at best.

When it comes to Japanese knotweed, there is no substitute for herbicides and specialist chemical treatment. While it may be tempting to go down the organic route for the health of your garden and the health of your pocket, the chances of it working is slim.

4. Be thorough.

The regenerative powers of Japanese knotweed are pretty remarkable. Even the smallest of remains boast surprising resilience and can regrow into an entirely new plant, making wholesale eradication an arduous yet necessary process.

In order to fully rid your property of Japanese knotweed, it's crucial to tackle every part of the wily weed. Failure to do so will only result in the issue returning down the line.

Professional Japanese knotweed removal

While it is theoretically possible (and legal) to remove Japanese knotweed from your property by yourself, the odds of achieving permanent success via the DIY route are slim.

In fact, for those looking to sell their property, a professional treatment plan may be a pre-requisite in order to stand any chance of selling in the first place. Many estate agents and mortgage lenders will need assurance from a professional that the problem is under control before any headway can be made.

If you want to maximise your chances of getting rid of your Japanese knotweed, it's best to call in the pros. Japanese knotweed specialists will be fully equipped with the tools and techniques necessary for an everlasting eviction.

At Taylor Total Weed Control, we have over 15 years' experience in Japanese knotweed removal. Our expert team of weed removal specialists are well-versed in the art of knotweed war and more than capable of tackling the most vicious of vine infestations.

Request a FREE Japanese Knotweed Survey

An investigation by The Times has revealed some incredible news regarding Network Rail and an apparent ongoing issue with Japanese knotweed.

According to The Times, Network Rail has received around 11,000 complaints about Japanese knotweed since 2011, equating to an average of 1375 knotweed complaints a year.

Worse still, over half of these complaints were regarding the spread of knotweed from the railways onto nearby homeowners’ private properties.

Impact on Surrounding Properties

The state-owned firm is responsible for maintaining the railways and adjoining land, which includes the containment of weed infestations like Japanese knotweed.

Japanese knotweed is notorious for its invasive attributes and can have a serious impact on a property in terms of its structural integrity, commonly targeting weak points in the sub-structure through cracks and openings.

The alleged lack of treatment by Network Rail has reportedly made it considerably more difficult for thousands of affected homeowners to sell their properties as a result of the knotweed making its way onto their properties.

"We Should Do More"

While the story does certainly paint Network Rail in a negative light, representatives for the railway authority are quick to refute the claims of negligence.

However, despite their rebuttal, they also concede that they could do more. Following the revelations, Environment Manager at Network Rail, Neil Strong, had this to say:

“While we meet our legislative obligations, we believe we should do more. We will always treat any knotweed area flagged to us and are working on enhancing our guidance and protocols to be in line with Property Care Association published codes of practice and thus give the assurance mortgage lenders are looking for.”

Professional Knotweed Removal

Regardless of who’s to blame and what’s been done, there’s no denying that Network Rail’s apparent issues with Japanese knotweed have them in quite a bind, both figuratively and literally.

If you suspect Japanese knotweed is present on your property, don’t allow your property to get side tracked like Network Rail. Leaving the dreaded vine to its own devices can allow your JKW infestation to build up a serious head of steam.

Luckily, here at Taylor Weed Control, we thrive on untangling the messiest of knotweed nuisances. Our first-class team of garden experts have over 15 years’ experience and are more than able to help you get your garden back on track.

Don’t let Japanese knotweed send you off the rails. Give your knotweed woes a one-way ticket out of town with weed eradication services from Taylor Weed Control.

For more information on Japanese knotweed services at Taylor Weed Control, why not get in touch today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or click the button below to request a FREE knotweed survey.

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A couple from Yardley Wood in Birmingham have become “prisoners in their own home” after a Japanese knotweed infestation quite literally took over their back garden.

As reported in the Birmingham Mail, Chris and Marie Moore have endured “five years of hell” in their council home.

The couple has been forced to helplessly watch the rapid recession of their garden, as Japanese knotweed has slowly but surely overthrown their outdoor space.

Despite having a 70ft garden, the knotweed has eaten up over 60ft of space, rendering their external property virtually useless. The problem has become so bad that the couple can’t even hang their washing out to dry.

A Formidable Foe

The couple has been at the property for 18 years; however, the problem arose five years ago when Mr Moore first spotted the curious vine sticking up from the ground behind his shed.

Without knowing its evil identity, Mr Moore logically decided to cut it back in an effort to nip it in the bud. Unfortunately for the Moores, the mysterious plant didn’t take too kindly to its unsolicited trim and came back fighting.

The vine has since claimed the garden for itself and, despite multiple visits and treatments from Birmingham City Council, the unwavering weed has proved to be a formidable foe that simply doesn’t want to budge.

Even hundreds of pounds worth of store-bought weed-killer administered by Mr Moore wouldn’t touch the vicious vine and the garden has now become a jungle that could easily play host to a scene from Predator.

Professional Weed Killer Services

Sadly, while a visit from Arnie and his crack team of special ops commandos may be able to fend off an otherworldly creature, they wouldn’t do much good in ridding the property of the notoriously durable knotweed.

Luckily, there are plenty of professional options available for the Moores if they wanted to rid their property of the knotweed once and for all. While it may seem like an impossible task, professional knotweed removal is the most effective solution to this issue.

Knotweed Removal Specialists

At Taylor Weed Control, we specialise in knotweed removal and take pride in banishing the demonic garden-dweller from whence it came.

With over 15 years’ industry experience, we’ve built a reputation as Wales’ leading Japanese knotweed removal specialists.

If you think you may have an issue with Japanese knotweed, don’t sit back and wait for it to take over your property. Nip your knotweed problem in the bud and call Taylor Weed Control today.

Our team of experts has the ability to terminate your unwanted guest, once and for all, and ensure that it definitely won’t be back for a sequel. Hasta la vista, weedy!

For more information on Japanese knotweed removal and professional weed killer services, why not get in touch today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 to speak with one of our team or click the button below to get in touch online and request a FREE survey.

Request a FREE Survey