Bournemouth

Following some radio shows I had appeared on which were broadcast on Radio Solent and Radio Dorset in June 2021, I had a call from a lady in Southbourne, Bournemouth called Rebecca. They were about to exchange contracts on the purchase of a bungalow when their mortgage lender declined their mortgage application due to the fact there had been Japanese knotweed on the plot. They were devastated! Luckily her mum had heard me on the radio and suggested that Rebecca gives me a call.

The Japanese knotweed, which was within 2 metres of the house had been treated previously by the seller. When the purchase was going through, they were under the impression from their previous mortgage adviser that if the knotweed was completely removed (by excavation) that the lender would be happy. The knotweed at great expense was then removed by excavation. In hindsight the excavation wasn’t needed, and herbicidal treatment would have been sufficient.

The mortgage lender declined to lend because the knotweed had been located within 7 metres of the house (RICS Category 4), and they wouldn’t lend regardless of a specialist report, treatment plan and guarantee. It was the fact it had been within 7 metres.

Fortunately, I had found a mortgage lender that was prepared to lend the amount they needed to buy the bungalow, because although it had been within 7 metres of the house, a treatment plan was in place and that was acceptable to the new lender. Rebecca and her family are now in the process of moving to their new home.