Beware - these plants could stop you selling your home!

Did you know, Japanese knotweed is not the only plant that mortgage lenders are cautious of. There are a number of plants and trees that can devalue your home, cause severe damage to a property’s structure and even put you at risk of lawsuits from your neighbours. Homeowners could face a court case if they allow certain types of plants to spread to their neighbour’s property and some species can cost thousands of pounds to remove.

selling one or more rented properties

If you are a landlord looking to sell one or more rented properties, the garden may not be something you’ve thought about, beyond making sure it is neat and tidy. But according to a useful new guide from mortgage lender Bankrate UK it could be well worth considering the plants and trees growing around your rental home. The guide explains how to identify the species to beware of; the potential damage they can do to property; the laws associated with species such as Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsaam; how to remove them; and what it might cost. The one we all know about – and which property owners fear the most - is Japanese Knotweed, which is extremely invasive and very costly to get rid off. It has been known to cause structural damage to almost any part of a building it can reach, from driveways to drainage pipes and foundations. This weed can be identified by its white flowers and bamboo-like stems which are famous for growing up to three meters in the summer when it grows quickest. Its purple-speckled stems are also identifiers and make it stand out amongst other plants. But there are other types of plants and trees which can also cause huge problems for homeowners and landlords and should be avoided or eradicated.

These are:

• Himalayan Balsaam
• Giant Hogweed
• Oak, Poplar and willow trees
• Ivy

So to put your mind at rest that none of these nasties are lurking in your garden, take a look at the guide today. You can read the full feature here