A rise in Japanese knotweed claims

October 22nd 2021

We did wonder what the stamp duty rush would throw back, we did not expect to see a rise in Japanese Knotweed Claims in the mix! Japanese Knotweed is an invasive non-native plant that can cause damage to property if left untreated.

As a seller, when completing the Property Information Form, unless you have knowledge of the weed, it is advisable to tick “Not Known.”

If you do not do this, as many sellers have simply been declaring the home to be knotweed-free without carrying out any checks, you run the risk of falling foul of a misrepresentation claim. The consequences can be severe as the presence of knotweed can diminish the value of a property by up to 10%.

As a buyer, it is always best to ensure that you do not cut corners when focusing on pushing your property move rather than commissioning a knotweed report if necessary.

Legal claims against property sellers relating to Japanese knotweed have risen sharply over the last twelve months, in part due to buyers and sellers rushing transactions through to benefit from stamp duty holiday savings, reports Environet UK.

https://www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk/main-news/rise-japanese-knotweed-claims-conveyancers-warned/