PROPERTY experts are warning homeowners about a harmful garden plant that could wipe thousands off their house price.
The perennial weed is known for being a nuisance and is notoriously difficult to get rid of without professional help.
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Japanese knotweed is a rapidly spreading weed that grows into bamboo-like stems, potentially reaching as high as 7ft.
It begins to emerge in spring and flowers in summer and can cause significant damage to homes and property.
Japanese knotweed can set down deep roots of around three metres which can damage concrete foundations and buildings.
It can also devalue properties, and it is illegal to sell your home without disclosing the presence of the weed.
According to a study by Nottingham Trent University in 2013, knotweed can reduce a property’s value by between 5-15% and could even make the property unsellable.
Liza Rogers from estate agents Yopa said: “Japanese knotweed can be a huge problem when selling a house if it is left untreated and without a treatment plan in place.
“It can affect your home’s value due to not being able to secure a mortgage on your property and therefore would only leave cash buyers able to purchase your property.”
It is also important to check whether knotweed claims are covered under the home insurance policy.
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Matthew Harwood, Confused.com home and lifestyle insurance expert says: “Whether knotweed claims are covered under your policy will vary by insurer.
“If you’ve noticed Japanese knotweed at your property, there are a few things to be mindful of.”
The insurance expert advises that anyone being asked about the presence of knotweed should be honest with their insurer to avoid claims being rejected.
He also highlights that claiming for damage caused to your property by Japanese knotweed will depend on your efforts to control it and how comprehensive your policy is.
Matthew also warns that the cost of removal or neighbouring property damage is your responsibility.
He says: “While knotweed is relatively harmless, it can become a nuisance as it tends to spread quickly, and can cause damage to foundations, patios and walls.”
You do not need to have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it’s causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread to the wild.
