Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed is a very topical issue at the moment, with it making quite the name for itself across the UK. But what is it, you ask? It is an invasive plant that can seriously damage hard surfaces such as foundations and tarmac, and is causing great concern for property owners, because it is very likely that you will be refused a loan for buildings infested with the notorious weed.

In Northern Ireland there are records of it growing by up to a staggering eight inches a day. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is a criminal offence to allow it to be spread and it must be disposed of in a legally recognised manner, such as by using chemical treatment, or digging it out and moving it to a licensed landfill site.

Eugene O’Sullivan, a chartered surveyor at Morgan Pryce, explains that: “Making sure you can identify Japanese knotweed when inspecting sites is crucial because it can cause huge liabilities down the road”.

You can identify Japanese Knotweed by the purple/green coloured hollow stem and green leaves.

This news was brought to you by Morgan Pryce, a specialist tenant acquisition agent with offices in Oxford Circus and the City. Morgan Pryce specialises in search, negotiation and project management and works exclusively for tenants.