General Knotweed, mortgages and treatment
How do I know if it is Japanese knotweed?
Look at the stem first: hollow like bamboo, speckled with purple, and zig-zagging with a node at each bend. Leaves are broad with a flat base. Small cream flowers appear in late summer and the dead canes stay brown through winter. A photo sent to us is quicker than guessing.
Is it illegal to have knotweed in my garden?
Having it is not an offence. Letting it spread into the wild is, and any cut material counts as controlled waste. If it crosses onto a neighbour's land you could face a claim.
Will knotweed stop me getting a mortgage?
Not on its own. Most lenders will lend against a professional survey, a treatment plan and a guarantee that transfers to the buyer.
How long does treatment take?
Spraying usually runs over three to five growing seasons followed by monitoring. Excavation takes days but costs more.
Can I just dig it out myself?
We advise against it. Tiny pieces of rhizome regrow, and the soil cannot go in a skip or the garden waste bin without proper handling.
Does knotweed damage houses?
It pushes into cracks, drains, walls and lightweight outbuildings. Sound foundations are rarely the issue, but a stand can still affect a valuation or a sale.
What if it is coming from my neighbour?
Have a survey done so the position and direction of spread are on record. That record is what you put in front of the neighbour or their landlord.
Should I cut it back or strim it?
No. Strimming scatters fragments and undermines spraying. Leave it until it has been assessed.
What do I have to declare when I sell?
The TA6 form asks directly. If there is knotweed, say so and attach the management plan. A wrong answer can be used against you after completion.
How much does knotweed removal cost?
A typical garden spraying programme often costs around £1,000 to £3,000 over its life. Excavation costs more because of the soil and disposal. You get a written price after the survey.
Do you cover all of Runcorn?
Yes — All of Runcorn across the WA7 postcode, plus Halton, Daresbury and Preston Brook nearby.