How to Sell a House with Japanese Knotweed

Selling a house is notoriously stressful and time-consuming. Even more so if you have an issue like Japanese Knotweed to contend with. Because of the problems Japanese Knotweed causes, selling a house can become almost impossible. Lenders often refuse to lend, buyers can be reluctant to make offers, you get the picture.

That being said, you can sell a house with Japanese Knotweed if you take appropriate measures. There are three ways you can sell a house with Japanese Knotweed:

• With an estate agent
• At an auction house
• With a cash house buyer

Each route to sale has its drawbacks, and some work more quickly than others. You just need to decide which option is most likely to secure you a sale.

What is Japanese knotweed?

Japanese knotweed is a plant species also known as Fallopia Japonica. Originally enjoyed as an ornamental plant, it suddenly showed its true prowess as its underground stems pushed through foundations, driveways, walls and drains. Its prominence is now widespread, and its continual destruction makes homeowners take an aggressive stance to remove it from their homes. However, Japanese Knotweed can go unnoticed for long periods, only uncovered once structural damage becomes apparent.

What are the problems caused by Japanese Knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed grows underground stems or rhizomes that can stretch up to 7 metres horizontally. They are incredibly tough and can break through bricks, causing damage to foundations, walls, flooring, drainage systems and more. This can then lead to subsidence, among other things, and see a house that was once in good condition become a shadow of its former self.

Is it hard to sell a house with Japanese knotweed?

It certainly can be. With the problems Japanese Knotweed causes, buyers are likely to look elsewhere for a new property. Even if they do like yours, a lender is quite likely to refuse to offer a mortgage. They will, at least, want to know that:

• A professional removal of Japanese knotweed is planned or has been completed.
• That there is proof of continual monitoring.
• That there is an insurance-backed guarantee.

Even with these plans in place, a lender may still deem the property too risky to lend against.

What can make it even harder to sell your house is that Japanese Knotweed is not something you can just hide away. It must be disclosed; otherwise, you could see your sale collapse and penalties imposed.

Do you have to disclose Japanese knotweed when selling a house?

Yes. It is a legal requirement to disclose the presence or treatment of Japanese Knotweed when selling your home. You’ll need to mention it on the TA6 form. Failing to do so could mean the new buyer takes legal action against you under misrepresentation laws. This could result in a large fine or see the sale cancelled.

On the form itself, you’ll be asked if the property is affected by Japanese Knotweed. You must respond with, yes, no or don’t know.

You must then state whether a management and treatment plan is in place and supply a copy of the plan, alongside any insurance linked to it.

Can I sell a home with Japanese Knotweed?

You can, but you’ll need to have evidence of a treatment plan if planning to sell through an estate agent or auction house. Even then, it is not guaranteed that they will be willing to list your property.

You would also need to plan well in advance. Japanese Knotweed can take 2-3 years to be fully suppressed if treated with herbicides. The process can be faster if you opt for excavation and removal of the weeds. This is an ideal option for those wanting to sell quickly, and it removes traces above and below ground. However, it is much more expensive than a herbicide treatment.

You may think you can speed up the sales process by removing the Japanese Knotweed yourself, but this is not advised. A small piece that you might miss can soon turn into a large problem, as even a tiny chunk of root can regrow.

How can I sell my house with Japanese Knotweed?

There are three ways you can try to sell your house if there is or was Japanese Knotweed present.

Selling via an estate agent

Probably the most common method, but also the one most likely to cause you problems. With a treatment plan in place, you may still get a sale, but many lenders won’t go near a property that has or has had a Japanese Knotweed problem.

Even when a lender is happy to provide a mortgage, some buyers may decide against the move. There could be undiscovered damage, and the full destruction of the weed may not even be complete. This sees buyers soon realise that their potential home has many more hidden costs for them to face.

• Slow sales process
• Potentially small pool of buyers
• Risk of sale collapse
• You’ll still pay fees even if your sale doesn’t complete.

Selling via auction

If your property has Japanese Knotweed issues, an auction can be a good way to sell it. Many buyers are property experts who see opportunity rather than difficulty. They can snap up a property quicker than an estate agent, and in some cases, may even have experience in resolving Japanese Knotweed issues.

In many cases, the buyer doesn’t need a mortgage, and when an auction is won, the winner must pay a deposit, solidifying the purchase with a little extra guarantee. Auction properties don’t tend to sell at market price, and the sale is not guaranteed. Furthermore, you’ll have to pay fees as a seller each time you try to sell at auction.  It’s a fast way to sell, but it still takes around 8 weeks for everything to be completed. Not always ideal if you want the quickest sale.

• Faster sale than with an estate agent
• Fees apply
• No guarantee of sale
• Experienced buyers

Cash house buyer

Whilst an estate agent may give you the most money, it also gives you the most stress. A cash house buyer, on the other hand, removes it all. They won’t even worry about the presence of Japanese Knotweed and will still make you an offer on your property. The offers are lower than the asking price, but should you accept, the whole process from offer to completion can take just seven days.

• Guaranteed sale
• No fees
• Buy any property (even with Japanese Knotweed)
• Sell within 7 days

You can have a treatment plan in place for Japanese Knotweed or leave it as it is; either way, a cash house buyer will still be willing to make an offer on your home. In our case, we don’t charge you for selling your house either. We cover all legal fees, ensuring that the offered amount is the amount you receive. With our established position as a leader in quick house sales, why not call the Sell House Fast team today to get your sale moving?