New warning issued about how invasive weed can affect house prices

A NATIONAL trade body has produced a guide on Japanese knotweed in the wake of new guidance.

The Property Care Association (PCA), has issued a short briefing document to help homeowners understand how the new Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS) guidance on the invasive weed, left, may affect the value of their home.

Since 2012 property valuation surveyors have measured the impact of Japanese knotweed using RICS risk categories contained in their information paper ‘Japanese knotweed and residential property.’

Now this guidance is being replaced with an updated guidance note

While it recognises that Japanese knotweed is unlikely to damage substantial structures such as houses, which have good foundations, it also recommends the professional management of the plant if it’s discovered on site.

Dr Peter Fitzsimons, head of technical (invasive weeds) at PCA, said: “Despite the fact there are tried -and-trusted pathways to manage and control Japanese knotweed, all too often we encounter situations where homeowners are portrayed as living ‘under siege’ with the plant. We’ve always maintained the position that this plant is not a destroyer of buildings, and that it should just be regarded as any other type of property issue.

“But, as with other issues, a management plan should be based on a professional survey, and any treatments should be conducted by someone with the appropriate training and competence and able to support guarantees with third-party insurances.

“Japanese knotweed can still be viewed as a material risk to the value of a property and we would urge any homeowner with concerns about it to access our ‘homeowners guide’ and look at the wealth of information and advice available on our website.”