Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is an ornamental plant that forms tall canes and is also known as Japanese bamboo, fleece flower or peashooters. An invasive species brought to the UK in the mid-19th century, Japanese Knotweed infestations can cause significant structural damage due to the extensive growth patterns of the plant’s roots (rhizomes), which can span up to several metres and cross property boundaries. Due to the risk of damage to property and land that it can cause, Japanese Knotweed must be declared on the TA6 form when selling a property, however, it can be difficult for homeowners and land owners to identify whether or not the invasive plant is present on their land, resulting in the need for professional reports to be made by a Knotweed specialist.
Reports
The simple truth is that some professionals also struggle to instantly recognise and identify Japanese Knotweed, whilst others have little or no substantial knowledge of the plant’s features. Japanese Knotweed can be notoriously difficult to spot during the winter season, especially if the dead canes from the previous season’s growth have been cut back, or the infestation is not yet well-established.
At Green Leaf Remediation, we have liaised with numerous surveyors and estate agents over the last few years and realised that, similarly to UK mortgage lenders, a ‘no-risk’ stance regarding the presence of Knotweed has been adopted. Understandably, to avoid the prospect of a future claim of misrepresentation, on occasions where there is uncertainty as to whether or not Japanese Knotweed plant material exists on a property, the professionals involved in the process consider it is far more prudent in the long term to stipulate that it ‘may exist’, as opposed to omitting any declaration of the plant on Homebuyer Survey Reports. In following this course of action, the surveyor or organisation avoids legal action further down the line which results in the burden of responsibility being passed to another, usually the company or contractor experienced in dealing with Japanese Knotweed!
As a result of the vast issues that can result from the presence of Japanese Knotweed, it is important to engage expert surveyors to identify whether or not your property possesses the invasive plant species so that your house sale can move forward with all the relevant and correct information – after all, it is not illegal for a property to have Knotweed plant growth, however, it is if the plant breaches the property’s boundaries.
What Happens During A Japanese Knotweed Survey?
During a Japanese Knotweed survey by Green Leaf Remediation in South Wales and the rest of Wales and along the M4 corridor, an expert surveyor will first look to identify the presence of the invasive plant species by looking for its characteristic features such as bamboo-like stems, heart-shaped leaves and white-pink frothy flowers, should the survey occur in late summer.
Should the surveyor confirm the presence of Knotweed, they will note the locations of such infestations, along with its density, growth patterns of the knotweed on land, and the impact it has had on the property so far. Such impact can be the extent of any damage it has caused to land or property, or how it may be strangling any native plant species present.
It will also be confirmed whether or not the Knotweed growth has crossed a property boundary, which is illegal and can result in the home, land or property owner being subject to potential Japanese Knotweed compensation claims by affected neighbours, or local authorities should the spread affect public land.
Japanese Knotweed survey reports can be undertaken for both commercial and residential properties and development sites. Our Japanese Knotweed specialists at Green Leaf Remediation are often engaged by property developers to survey a site and advise them of the level of risk associated with the Knotweed presence before they make an offer. If the surveyor identifies the presence of Knotweed, they will often be required to create a Japanese Knotweed management plan that includes the best possible treatment options and the costs of treatment involved.
Green Leaf Remediation are experts in the identification, treatment and removal of Japanese Knotweed, providing services in South Wales, West Wales, South West England and along the M4 corridor. Japanese Knotweed reports and surveys can be undertaken for property sellers, prospective buyers, estate agents, mortgage lenders and for legal advice. If you are in need of confirmation as to whether your property is affected by Knotweed, need to know the extent of an infestation or would like to implement a Japanese Knotweed treatment plan, get in touch with our expert surveyors at Green Leaf Remediation to book a survey report by calling 01269 495375 or sending us an enquiry here today.