Japanese Knotweed Survey

Japanese Knotweed Identification, route of trespass and treatment report

The first step towards managing and controlling Japanese Knotweed is a general survey of the suspected property or site. For commercial clients, this is often prior to purchase. A Japanese Knotweed site survey and remediation options appraisal is essential in determining accurate development costs for a site. Early detection and treatment of Japanese Knotweed infestations is of paramount importance if remediation costs are to be kept to a minimum. Delays can be very costly in both the cost of treatment and to limit exposure to legal claims from third parties.

A Japanese Knotweed survey is essential to determine the best method of treatment for each individual site. Due to site conditions, available land, timescales and tax relief, a variety of site-specific remediation solutions can be designed around the needs of the client. The selection of the most appropriate remediation technique depends on constraints such as timescales and available space however our experts can provide clients with the most cost-effective Japanese Knotweed remediation solution for each site including herbicide only treatments, excavation and disposal to landfill, on-site bund treatment, on-site cell burial, use of geo-textile membranes called root barriers & combined reduced excavation, barrier and herbicide treatment.

Once Japanese Knotweed has been identified, and a specialist consultant or contractor has further investigated the problem and provided a report, a Japanese Knotweed management plan should be established without delay. A report will include a full description of the property with an accurate record of the Knotweed intrusion. A plan with dimensions and supporting photographs would be prepared.

Chartered Valuers Report – Loss of asset value diminution

Where a property is affected by Japanese Knotweed either by close proximity or where the Japanese Knotweed has encroached on to their property, there is a strong argument that the property has lost some value known as diminution. We agree totally. If a home buyer was looking at two properties with an intent to buy, surely the one without any Japanese Knotweed issue would seem the best bet and stop any current or future problem from infestation or even claims from neighbours.

A red book valuation is the name that is given by practitioners to a valuation report that adheres to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor's Valuation Professional Standards, also known as the Red Book.

The valuation standards are a set of mandatory rules and guidelines for RICS Registered Valuers to follow when they are undertaking valuations. They do not tell a Valuer how to value a property - that is left to the individual Valuer to use his or her training, experience and judgment - but they do set out the standards that should be followed.

The standards cover such subjects as ethics, duty of care, the qualifications of the valuer and the minimum content of a valuation report. Their aim is to ensure that the report received by a Client is prepared to the highest possible professional standards, that there are no conflicts of interest and, as only RICS Registered Valuers are permitted to undertake red book valuations, that it has been prepared by a suitably qualified practitioner.

Red book valuations are the preferred form of valuation report for banks when contemplating secured lending, by HMRC for taxation, lawyers that are dealing with property disputes, accountants for capital accounting and charities that need to meet statutory requirements. These parties, organisations and institutions know that when they receive a red book report, the valuation figure is well considered, backed with robust commentary and evidence and will stand up to scrutiny.

Clients often ask what the difference is between a red book valuation and the free 'valuation' an estate agent provides prior to sale. Strictly speaking, these are not valuations and instead should be considered as marketing appraisals and are generally not sufficient for taxation, secured lending, legal or accounting purposes. The reason for this is that the recipient cannot be entirely sure of the qualifications, objectivity and independence of the person undertaking this work, whereas with a red book valuation, the recipient knows that the party is a Registered Valuer and is required to undertake a set number of hours training every year and must adhere to the RICS's high ethical standards.

House location near to railway lines or waterways for instance may have a higher chance of being affected by Japanese Knotweed. Think Survey are associated with the Japanese Knotweed Agency and have a full understanding of how to protect our clients from day 1.

If your property is affected by a third party allowing Japanese Knotweed to travel onto or near your property, you could be entitled to make a claim. Think Survey can produce adequate reports for the legal process and can recommend specialist law firms that work No Win No Fee, and they may also pay for the cost of any report.

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