This is not an exhaustive or a complete subject. It is likely to change over time, with edits, additions and deletions, and is simply a collection of my thoughts based on many years of experience. You should follow your instincts, and you must always seek your own professional advice.
Japanese Knotweed has been an issue, often exaggerated in terms of importance, in recent years. It has been a particular concern for mortgage lenders and for properties where it is found.
RICS has issued new guidance on the subject, with specific relevance to residential property, and this should go towards easing a lot of the worry for homeowners, homebuyers, surveyors and mortgage valuers. You can access, download and read the new guidance in full here..:
Japanese Knotweed Guidance 2022
The section that refers to pre-purchase building surveys says this..:
In practice, it is highly unlikely that a typical RICS surveyor will possess the specific skills and expertise to be able to provide advice on Japanese Knotweed. Therefore, the situation remains unchanged in that the recommendation will continue to be to seek specialist advice elsewhere from a suitably qualified contractor.
Disclaimer: Anything posted in this Blog is for general information only and it is not in any way intended to provide any advice, legal or otherwise, on any general or specific matter that you can rely on. You should always seek your own legal advice.