General Knotweed, mortgages and treatment
How do I know if it is Japanese knotweed?
Look at the stem first. It is hollow like bamboo, spotted with purple, and kinks in a zig-zag at each node. Leaves are shaped like shields with a flat base, and creamy flower clusters appear in late summer. Dead brown canes can remain upright all winter. A photo sent to us is faster than matching pictures online.
Is it illegal to have knotweed in my garden?
Having it on your land is not a crime. The offence is letting it spread into the wild, and any soil or cuttings are treated as controlled waste. If it crosses into a neighbour's property they may have grounds for a claim against you.
Will knotweed stop me getting a mortgage?
Not by itself. Many lenders will proceed when there is a professional survey, a treatment plan and an insurance-backed guarantee that can transfer to the buyer.
How long does treatment take?
A spraying programme normally lasts three to five growing seasons, followed by monitoring. Excavation takes a few days but costs noticeably more.
Can I just dig it out myself?
We advise against it. Tiny pieces of rhizome regrow, and the soil cannot go in the household bin or to the council tip.
Does knotweed damage houses?
It exploits weak points such as cracks, old drains, paving and light outbuildings. Sound foundations are seldom at risk, but a stand close to the house can still reduce a valuation or delay a sale.
What if it is coming from my neighbour?
Arrange a survey so the position and the direction of spread are on record. That report is what you show the neighbour, or the landlord or owner of the plot next door.
Should I cut it back or strim it?
No. Strimming scatters fragments and undermines a spray programme. Leave it standing until it has been looked at.
What do I have to declare when I sell?
The TA6 asks directly. If knotweed is present, say so and attach the management plan. A wrong answer can come back on you after completion.
How much does knotweed removal cost?
For an ordinary garden a spray programme often lands between £1,000 and £3,000 across its full length. Excavation costs more because of the soil volume and disposal. Once we have surveyed, you receive the price in writing.
Do you cover all of St Helens?
Yes — Addresses across WA9, WA10 and WA11, plus Rainhill (L35) and Newton-le-Willows (WA12), from the town centre out to the borough edges.
