If you're buying or selling a property with Japanese Knotweed, a Knotweed Management Plan isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. Most mortgage lenders won’t even consider approving a loan without one, especially if the knotweed is within the property boundary. In some cases, even knotweed on a neighbouring property can raise red flags.

House prices update

House price growth slowed to 2.1% in June, down 0.8% month-on-month. Performance varies significantly depending on the region, with Northern Ireland seeing the strongest growth of 9.7%. East Anglia was the weakest area, where house prices only increased by 1.1% annually.

When herbicide won’t cut it, excavation might be the answer to removing Japanese Knotweed for good.

This method involves digging out the contaminated soil to a set depth to fully remove the knotweed. Sounds simple—but it’s costly and not the most eco-friendly option. Why? Because the removed soil is classed as controlled waste, which means only licensed companies can handle it.

By 2030, more than 104,000 Help to Buy accounts will reach the end of their interest-free period.

 The Help to Buy scheme ran for ten years, between 2013 and 2023. Buyers of new builds were lent up to 20% (or up to 40% in London) of the property’s value as an equity loan. The loan is interest-free for five years and is repayable when the home is sold.

Looking to get rid of Japanese Knotweed? One of the most common and affordable methods is herbicide treatment—but it’s not always simple.

Why Herbicide?

Chemical treatment is often used to stop the spread of knotweed. It usually takes multiple applications over a few years to control it properly. The severity of the infestation will affect how long it takes.

The housing market seems to be regaining momentum, as sales are being agreed at the fastest rate in four years.

 The number of sales agreed was up 6% annually in June, which coincided with the stock of new property listings going up by 14%. This indicates that buyers are regaining confidence, with demand rising by 7%.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is exploring major changes to property taxes. Proposals include shifting stamp duty so that sellers of homes worth over £500,000 pay it instead of buyers. Another idea is a capital gains-style tax on luxury property sales above £1.5m.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) categorises Japanese Knotweed risk from A to D, based on severity and proximity to a property.

Some of the descriptions below have been simplified to give a brief insight rather than a detailed description especially when mortgage lenders have such a variety of policy.

Data shows that remortgage activity hit a 15-month high in May. 

There were 41,500 remortgage approvals, up 6,200 on April and the highest level since February 2024. There was also a rise in new mortgages for the first time since December, with 63,000 approvals. Meanwhile, gross mortgage lending was £20.4bn in May, £16.9bn higher than the previous month.

If you suspect Japanese knotweed is on the plot—or even nearby—it’s important to act fast. Lenders, valuers, and buyers treat it as a serious risk to both the structure and value of a property. Even if it’s just a suspicion raised by the valuer during a mortgage valuation, a formal survey is the next step.

Almost half a million homeowners coming off five-year fixed rate mortgage deals taken out in 2020 could see a major spike in their monthly mortgage repayments.

Selling a property with Japanese knotweed? Here's what you must declare—and what happens if you don’t.

In the UK, property sellers are legally required to disclose the presence of Japanese knotweed on the TA6 property information form. This form is part of the standard conveyancing process. Failing to answer truthfully—or omitting the information—can lead to legal action and compensation claims from buyers, covering treatment costs and lost property value.

Rural house prices are still rising faster than those in towns and cities, according to Nationwide. While the pandemic-driven rush for countryside homes has eased, demand for space continues to support stronger growth in rural areas.

Japanese knotweed is one of the UK’s most aggressive invasive plants and a serious concern for homeowners. While it rarely damages structurally sound properties, it can still cause significant problems if left untreated.

The number of UK homeowners with more than £300,000 left to repay on their mortgage has nearly doubled in the past seven years, highlighting the growing financial strain many are facing, amid high property prices and rising interest rates.

Japanese knotweed isn’t just a garden problem—it can derail mortgage applications and lower property value. Here’s how to manage it properly.

House prices crept up again in May, with Nationwide reporting annual growth of 3.5%, slightly above April’s 3.4%. Prices also rose 0.5% month on month, once seasonal factors were taken into account.

Nearly two-thirds of UK homebuyers faced unexpected costs in the past year, according to recent research.