MG Legal Solicitors 
Longridge: 01772 783314 Garstang: 01995 602129 Lancaster: 01524 581306 Lytham: 01253 202452  
I am painfully aware that I am writing this in January. Ever the optimist I am going to concentrate on the fact that it is 57 days until Spring and in my mind, it is sort of Spring…ish. I mean Christmas is out of the way. And there is no doubt about it, everything just feels better in the Spring…everything looks better in the Spring too which is why most people choose to sell in Spring. The gardens look pretty, the daffodils are blooming, and everything feels fresh so let us have a look at the Conveyancers guide to gardening. Which isn’t so much a guide to gardening rather look at Japanese Knotweed and the messy horror it causes (that took a dark turn didn’t it!). You may have heard… it cost £70 million to clear the blight at the London Olympics in 2012! 
Japanese Knotweed will considerably hamper your sale if discovered. Whilst I sound like a teacher in a high school; the scary thing is that you might not ever know you have it! So, what are the signs? Well in winter it looks a lot like bamboo because it hibernates but in summer it can grow a staggering 4 inches every day. It is tall and dense with a green heart shaped leaf…most easy to spot when it is growing through concrete and tarmac. Japanese knotweed is so strong it can even growth through the floor boards of your house!  
 
So strong are its growth powers that Japanese Knotweed grew its way into the Property Information Form! 
 
There is no way to sugar coat it; the presence of Japanese Knotweed will massively reduce the value of your property…if you can manage to sell at all. Most lenders will not lend on a property where Japanese Knotweed is present and if they do decide to lend in most cases then they will require evidence that the threat has gone. Although, depending on how invasively the knotweed is established, this can be both difficult and expensive, and repeated treatments over years may potentially be necessary. 
 
If you are considering buying a property where knotweed is present, or if the lender’s valuation report unexpectedly identifies the presence of knotweed, you will need to consider carefully how to eradicate it and how much this will cost, and whether or not the seller will bear the cost. Until the eradication is complete and the property certified clear of the weed, there may be an effect on marketability and value. 
 
You should not ever attempt to treat Japanese Knotweed yourself; you will most likely end up spreading it further afield, you will definitely be breaking the law and you could face criminal prosecution with a fine of up to £2,500.00. 
 
To avoid disappointment be on the lookout for Japanese Knotweed before instructing your local solicitors, MG Legal to deal with your sale or purchase. 
 
In the meantime; if you do find Knotweed you could try cooking with it, by all accounts it has a slightly sourer taste than that of Rhubarb! For more Conveyancing advice contact MG Legal, Conveyancing Solicitors Preston on 01995 602 129 or email enquiries@mglegal.co.uk.  
 
If you do decide to make jam or chutney with your Knotweed call into MG Legal, Garstang Solicitors we would love to try some! 
 
MG Legal - Your Local Solicitors 
 
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