Worst hotspots for Japanese knotweed revealed as homeowners are forced to pay up to £15,000 to battle invasive plant that wrecks gardens and house values
Japanese knotweed has been identified as a significant concern for homeowners in the worst-affected postcode areas, with the invasive plant capable of damaging gardens and reducing property values. Its presence can also complicate property sales and mortgage applications, making early identification and treatment important.
The article reports that some owners may face removal and treatment costs of up to £15,000. Japanese knotweed is a fast-growing non-native plant whose extensive underground rhizomes can spread beyond a property boundary, so professional surveys and long-term treatment plans are often used to manage it.
In short
- Japanese knotweed can damage gardens and depress house values.
- Treatment and removal may cost homeowners up to £15,000.
- Affected properties can be harder to sell or mortgage.
Explained simply
Japanese knotweed is a fast-growing plant brought to Britain from East Asia. It spreads through underground stems called rhizomes, which can extend beyond a garden and make the plant difficult to control.
Homeowners may find that knotweed affects the use or value of their property, and its presence can raise questions during a sale or mortgage application. Surveys and treatment plans can help assess and manage it, but removal may take time and cost thousands of pounds.