South Wales, Bristol, Bolton and London have been named as the top Japanese knotweed hotspots in the UK.
That is according to a live heatmap which highlights areas of the UK infested by the invasive plant to help buyers make a more informed decision before proceeding with a house purchase.
The presence of Japanese knotweed can cause thousands of pounds of damage to properties and potentially jeopardise mortgage applications.
However, the map offers potential buyers indication of the extent of the problem in their local area.
This means, if a high number of knotweed sightings appear they can then instruct a Japanese knotweed survey to check the likelihood of their property being affected.
A survey will also provide information on whether their potential home is affected or at risk of encroachment from infestations in the vicinity.
The heatmap, which has been created by Environet, provides a live record which charts the spread of the UK’s most invasive plant and is also a valuable resource for property professionals such as solicitors, mortgage lenders and estate agents.
Hotspots are highlighted in yellow or, in the most severe cases, red, and Environet revealed areas such as South Wales, Bristol, Bolton and London were among the worst affected.
Providing certainty
Nic Seal, founder and managing director of Environet, said it had received an ‘incredible’ response to the heatmap with over 100,000 visits during the first year and 93,000 postcode searches.
“This just goes to show the thirst for information about Japanese knotweed and the need for credible resources to help property professionals and their clients assess risk during the buying and selling process,” he said.
“High risk results should always prompt further investigation with an on-site Japanese knotweed survey, in order to give the buyer as much certainty as possible.”
You can find out more about Japanese knotweed and what to do if your property, or a home you are planning to buy, could be affected by the plant by clicking here.
