Japanese knotweed guidance

Guidance on identifying Japanese knotweed, the law, buying and selling property, and treatment. Each article lists the legislation, standards and research it draws on.

Identification

Identifying Japanese knotweed

The leaves, stems, flowers and rhizome to look for at each time of year.

Plants commonly mistaken for Japanese knotweed

Bindweed, Russian vine, bamboo and other plants that are often confused with knotweed.

Selling a property with Japanese knotweed

Disclosure on the TA6 form, the buyer's survey and preparing before you go to market.

Buying a property with Japanese knotweed

How knotweed is found during a purchase, and what to ask the seller for before exchange.

Japanese knotweed and mortgages

What lenders are likely to require for each RICS management category.

Does Japanese knotweed damage houses?

What the research and RICS say about structural damage, and why knotweed still affects a sale.

Japanese knotweed and the law

The planting offence, waste rules, community protection notices and nuisance claims.

Japanese knotweed on a neighbour's land

Your position when knotweed spreads from next door, and the practical steps to take.

Disposing of Japanese knotweed

Licensed landfill, burial on site, burning and composting, and what the rules allow.

Treating and removing Japanese knotweed

Herbicide programmes, excavation, burial and root barriers compared, with typical timescales.

Japanese knotweed removal costs

Published guideline prices for treatment and excavation, and what drives a quote.

Photo check

Upload a photograph for an indicative assessment of whether the plant could be Japanese knotweed.

Check a photo

RICS category checker

Find out which of the four RICS management categories a surveyor is likely to assign to the property.

Check the category

Cost guide

Indicative prices for treatment, excavation and root barriers, based on Property Care Association figures.

View guideline costs

Speak to an accredited specialist

Tell us about the property and up to three Property Care Association members in your area will be in touch.

Find a specialist