If you are buying or selling a property in Essex and knotweed derailed your sale, take a breath.

A sale with Japanese knotweed is still possible and is one of the most common reasons transaction stall in Essex.

Here’s the good news. Finding knotweed is not the end of the sale as long as it is dealt with properly.

What happens when a buyer’s survey identifies knotweed?

Most Essex buyers order a Level 2 RICS survey which is carried out by a surveyor that is registered with The Property Care Association which provides the recognised standard for invasive weed control.

These surveyors know where to look, starting at the fence lines, ditches and embankments. In Thurrock and Grays, that’s usually where knotweed spreads from.

Flood defence gardens are also a popular hotspot. So are plots that back on to old rail sidings.

This will be flagged and identified in the report presented to the lender.

The surveyor will incorporate this information into a Japanese Knotweed management plan. A Japanese knotweed management plan is a written document created following a proper site survey which outlines the treatment for the infestation. Importantly, it also includes an ongoing monitoring schedule, and names an individual that will remains accountable for this. It is also usually accompanied by an insurance backed guarantee.

The TA6 form and your legal obligation to declare knotweed

The knotweed TA6 form asks a direct question. Is Japanese knotweed present, treated or within 3 metres of the boundary? You must be honest in your answer.

It’s a common mistake to tick “no” if it hasn’t been confirmed. So is thinking that it’s not your problem because it’s on next door’s land.

If you get this wrong, you may face a legal claim from the purchaser.

This has occurred in Essex, especially in areas where railway embankments and abandoned boundary plots are located.

Answer it correctly and provide a management plan if available and ask your solicitor for guidance. If you don’t have a management plan, it’s important that you get one.

Can you still sell a property with Japanese knotweed in Essex?

Yes. A property sale in Essex with Japanese knotweed can still complete successfully if you disclose the existence of the knotweed and have a management plan in place that is carried out by a PCA accredited specialist and that will be acceptable to a buyer and their lender.

Knotweed is widespread throughout Essex, particularly around the Thames Estuary and the c2c railway line.

It is a regular occurrence in Grays, Tilbury, Basildon and parts of Thurrock and most local agents and conveyancers have dealt with it before and are familiar with what to do.

If you have a confirmed infestation, it will not prevent a sale, but it does alter the pre-completion process.

The sales that fail typically have the same thing in common. The seller denied the problem or delayed getting help.

What mortgage lenders require before lending on a knotweed-affected property

The basic documentation required for a mortgage where there is evidence of knotweed is typically the same, irrespective of the lender.

In general, lenders are looking for evidence that the infestation has been properly evaluated and defined and that a monitoring and management plan has been established supported by an insurance backed guarantee.

We have found that in most cases, a well- documented plan from a PCA registered provider, resolves most lender concerns within days.

However, it is important that you check your specifics.

How a Japanese knotweed management plan enables a sale to proceed

A management plan, prepared by a PCA accredited surveyor, is a document gives all parties involved in the sale that there is a defined plan to deal with the knotweed over an extended period of time, with further comfort provided by an insurance backed guarantee. Once this plan is in place, the sale will usually proceed.

How we help Essex homeowners and buyers resolve knotweed issues quickly

A stalled sale is stressful, particularly if there’s a chain involved. We know that pressure well.

We connect Essex homeowners with PCA-accredited Japanese knotweed specialists across the county, including Thurrock, Grays, Basildon and Chelmsford. We work with PCA accredited surveys in Essex who are experts at what they do and are used to working within short timescales.

The specialist we match you with will evaluate the site quickly. They will confirm the infestation and put in place a plan that meet the requirements of your buyer and their lender.

FAQ

Do I have to declare Japanese knotweed on the TA6 form?

Yes. Answer truthfully based on what you know or reasonably should know. If not disclosed, it can result in a legal claim once completed.

Will a mortgage lender refuse to lend on a knotweed-affected property?

Not necessarily. Once a good management plan is established, many lenders will move forward. An insurance backed guarantee provides further confidence and will be required. Our surveyors can assist with this as well.

How quickly can a management plan be put in place?

This will depend on the infestation and availability of specialists. Simple Essex cases are frequently assessed within one to two weeks.

Who pays for knotweed removal, buyer or seller?

There is no rule for this. The management plan is frequently paid for by the seller prior to closing. In some cases, the expense is instead reflected as a deduction to the sale price.

How much does a knotweed management plan cost in Essex?

The cost of the plan is typically between £1,500 and £3,000 + VAT and varies based on the size of the infestation and the requirement to excavate.