New guidance issued on knotted problem

[THE RICS has published a new guidance note on the perennial problem of Japanese knotweed. The publication, Japanese Knotweed and Residential Property, came into effect on 23 March and is an update to a RICS Information Paper published in 2012. That paper was itself a response to a House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published report and a Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) investigation into Japanese knotweed – questioning the current approach to the assessment of risk, and by extension the impact on value of Japanese Knotweed on the built environment.

With nearly one-and-a-half million homes estimated to be affected by Japanese knotweed in the UK, the perennial weed’s presence can devalue a property or cause sales to fall through entirely due to misinformation that’s been fuelled by fears around what it is capable of doing; but with appropriate remediation from expert professionals the worst needn’t happen.

The purpose of the updated document is to address both the findings and provide guidance based on market-informed industry best practice, the most recent research about a more holistic assessment of Japanese knotweed, to ensure RICS members provide the best advice to users of valuation and condition reports.

The document contains a decision tree based on risk level to help valuers determine the appropriate management approach needed for Japanese knotweed. The new process still delivers a straightforward and objective categorisation of Japanese knotweed infestations, because that provides the clarity that is essential for lenders and which will continue to ensure confidence and trust among the wider stakeholders.

The contents of the guidance note were put out for consultation by the RICS last June, at which time Philip Santo FRICS, the author behind the new guidance, said: “Creating confidence and awareness that knotweed isn’t a death sentence for home sales is a key principle behind this guidance – it’s certainly not the ‘bogey plant’ that some make it out to be.

“In most instances the weed can be remediated with effective treatment – so it’s critical that all those involved in the home buying and selling process have access to unbiased, factual information, that sets out when they need to obtain reputable remediation services.”

In response to the move the Property Care Association (PCA) produced a webinar led by Dr Peter Fitzsimons discussing the new RICS guidance and the supporting PCA guidance that helps valuers navigate the survey process.

The webinar poses the questions “Will it be welcomed by lenders?” and “Does it keep knotweed ‘in the frame’ as a material risk factor for valuation processes?”

The base point of all the advice is that professional remediators should be consulted to deal with an infestation. q