Japanese Knotweed – every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only is it virtually indestructible, but most mortgage lenders will refuse to finance a property that has knotweed within seven metres of its walls – meaning that you can never escape.

If you’re looking at a property and your HomeBuyer Survey has identified Japanese Knotweed growing in the back garden, how concerned should you be? Let’s take a look.

What exactly is Japanese Knotweed?

If you haven’t come across it before, it’s important to know that Japanese Knotweed is an invasive species of plant that manages to thrive just about everywhere in the UK. Its aggressive growth (up to 10cm a day) affects the growth of other plants, ultimately causing problems with biodiversity, flood management and property damage.

In fact, the species is so pervasive that it is considered an offence to “plant or otherwise cause [Japanese Knotweed] to grow in the wild” under section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. When trying to get rid of the plant, contaminated soil and plant rhizomes (roots) are classed as “controlled waste”, under part 2 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

It can be hard to identify Japanese Knotweed, and several unrelated plants are often mistaken for it. Key characteristics are light green, shield-shaped leaves, tall, hollow stems that resemble bamboo and can grow up to 3 metres tall, and clusters of tiny white flowers that bloom in upright formations.

Which homes are affected?

Thanks to its ability to grow almost anywhere, Japanese Knotweed can be found just about anywhere in the UK. However, the peak of its popularity was during the Victorian period, so properties built around this time are the most likely to suffer from a historic problem with the plant. This plant tracker is a useful tool for identifying how prolific Japanese Knotweed is in your area.

Is it really that bad?

The speed and resilience with which this plant grows has been known to cause damage to structures, particularly where weak points are already present. Tarmac, paving, building foundations and retaining walls can all succumb to knotweed in very little time if the plants are left unchecked. However, detailed surveys have concluded that Japanese Knotweed isn’t any more destructive than other plants that are left to grow rampantly.

The biggest problem with Japanese Knotweed is that it’s undesirable. It requires constant maintenance to prevent it taking over an entire garden, and is extremely difficult (and therefore expensive) to eradicate entirely. According to the UK government, the cost of controlling existing Japanese Knotweed had risen to £1.25 billion in 2014.

Ultimately, although you may want to steer clear of properties that have been diagnosed with Japanese Knotweed in the garden, it does not have to be a deal-breaker if you have already fallen for the house. Your best bet is to speak to an experienced surveyor and arrange for a Building Survey or specialist report to help you understand the potential implications if you proceed with the purchase.

If you have ever lived in Cornwall or tried to buy property there, you may have come across the term “mundic block”.

It refers to a historic building material that was particularly popular in Cornwall between around 1900-1950 1952, which used waste materials from nearby mines as a concrete aggregate (“mundic” is simply the Cornish word for mine waste). It was fairly common in those times for concrete to be mixed locally, using the materials that were at hand. This resulted in a large number of Cornish homes being constructed from this ‘mundic’ material.

Why is it a problem?

The issue with mundic block is that it’s difficult to predict what exactly is in the mixture. Quite often, due to the high mineral content of the Cornish soil and the ore extraction process, the aggregate still contains minerals or chemicals that actually cause the concrete to degrade over time.

Needless to say, this can have a considerable impact on property values, with many buyers trying to avoid houses that have been built with mundic and lenders refusing mortgages for properties of a certain condition.

How can you tell if a house is built with mundic block?

It may be obvious that a building has been made with mundic materials or it may be uncovered during a Building Survey. Regardless, in Cornwall and West Devon, any property that has been built (or altered) between 1900 and 1960 and contains concrete or concrete block will need to be tested for mundic.

Many surveyors offer a Mundic Test to screen concrete building materials, or can arrange for one to be carried out on your behalf. This test involves taking small samples of the house’s fabric using a drill, which are then analysed for mineral content and given a grade of A1, A2, A3, B and C.

What do the grades mean?

An A1 or A2 grade is good news. That means that the concrete doesn’t contain any potentially harmful materials or contains so few that there are unlikely to be future problems as a result. Nearly all mortgage lenders consider this to be an acceptable grade to lend against.

If a sample contains more than these levels of mundic, it may be classed as a grade A3. However, special testing is required to obtain this grade (rather than a grade B), and the testing is expensive, time-consuming, not appropriate for every case and may still be denied by mortgage lenders.

You will not secure a mortgage if the property is classed as a B or C on a mundic test. This means that mundic makes up more than 30% of the concrete and may already be causing visible degradation. However, if the mundic is limited to a specific part of the property, you may be able to replace it with a modern material in order to obtain lending.

For more information about mundic block, Cornish homes or surveying services across the country, please get in touch.

Summer is finally here, and the warmer weather means it’s the perfect time to get outside the house and enjoy the garden… It also means that it’s a great time to tackle those important home maintenance jobs that you’ve been putting off with the excuse of bad weather.

Completing a few simple jobs is all it takes to keep most homes in good condition, with work on the outside benefiting the inside in many cases, too. Whether you’re hoping to impress prospective buyers when you put your house on the market this summer or simply want to enjoy a clean home for yourself, here are six essentials for keeping it at it’s best.

1 – Inspecting for damage

Your home sees a lot of wear and tear over winter months, with fluctuating temperatures and adverse weather conditions taking their toll on walls and roofs. On a clear, bright day it’s sensible to walk around the perimeter of the house and look for cracks, loose tiles or other signs of damage that have appeared or been exacerbated over the last few months – repairing these should be a priority.

Remember, if you are particularly concerned about any damage, a surveyor will be able to investigate the extent of the problem and help you determine the best course of action for remedial work.

2 – Cleaning windows

Wind and rain inevitably leave a layer of grime on your windows, which you might not even notice until the sun starts trying to shine through again. Grab a bucket of soapy water, a large sponge and squeegee for a sparkling finish.

This is the perfect opportunity to check that your window frames, lintels and sills all seem to be in a good condition – a blown seal or rotten timbers will be much easier to address in good weather.

3 – Emptying gutters and roofline

While your ladder is to hand, it’s time to clear out your gutters and scrape your roof. A build-up of moss, twigs and other debris can trap moisture and allow damp to penetrate into your building, which will be much more unpleasant to deal with than simply emptying out your rainwater goods a few times a year.

4 – Blasting patios and paths

Over time, paved areas get grubby and covered in moss, which leaves them looking distinctly unloved. Renting a pressure washer for a weekend is the quickest way to get patios, driveways and paths looking shiny and new again.

5 – Refreshing exterior walls

Depending on the material of your house, you may even be able to use the pressure washer to get your outer walls looking fresh, too – just make sure you’ve repaired any cracks first. Once it’s dry, touch up the paintwork and give your front door a wipe down too.

6 – Clearing ventilation

Another aspect of your home that’s easy to forget is its ventilation. Use a duster or vacuum cleaner to keep indoor extractor fans working efficiently and find a thin tool to clear cobwebs out of air bricks. This is another important job for keeping the inside free of damp and mould, allowing fresh air to circulate between walls and floors.

If you are planning to sell your property this year, we would recommend getting a survey to make sure the winter months haven’t caused any hidden damage that could deter a potential buyer. Whether your home is nearly new or hundreds of years old, having a report confirming that everything is working properly (or warning you if it isn’t) provides you with a realistic expectation of what a buyer sees when they come to view.

For more information about our surveys, or if you have any questions, please give our team a call and we will be happy to help.

There is little that can compare to the excitement of property-hunting and suddenly finding the house of your dreams. Whether it’s the first house you view or the fiftieth, as soon as you fall in love with a property you’ll know – and will probably do everything in your power to make sure nobody else snaps it up!

Before you rush in with an outrageous offer, slow down. There are three important things that you have to be certain about before calling the agent.

1 – Is the house really right for you?

When you think you’ve found the perfect property it’s very easy to get caught up in the moment and start making offers. Before you do, it’s essential that you go back to visit it a second (or even third) time, this time with a more critical eye.

Look past the charming entrance, fresh paintwork and attractive furniture – these are ultimately superficial details that can be added to any home. Instead, scrutinise the fundamental parts of the property like room sizes, layout, storage, garden space and parking. Will it suit your lifestyle? How long for?

Also keep an eye out for issues that you want to mention to your surveyor when they carry out a property survey. Even if you don’t notice any defects like signs of damp, timber decay or subsidence, it’s important to have a qualified professional inspect the building in case of hidden problems waiting to surprise you when you move in.

2 – Are you happy with the local area?

The location of your home will hugely affect not only your enjoyment of it, but its future value. Don’t fall into the trap of looking at the property in isolation; consider what amenities it’s near, what the neighbours might be like and whether there are any upcoming developments nearby.

Whether it’s in the middle of town or a rural escape, do your research into what’s nearby and see how that fits into the lifestyle you want in the future as well as the one you lead now. Living near a noisy high street might lose its shine, while living well away from the beaten track might stop you from feeling like part of the community.

Keep in mind not only your concerns, but how the location might affect future buyers. Living close to transport links or a local school may not be a priority for you, but it will almost certainly boost your property’s value in the long-term.

Finally, ask your solicitor to check whether planning permission is pending or has already been granted on new-builds or commercial developments nearby, which might lead to a noisy construction site or spoil the view.

3 – Decide how much you’re willing to pay

Ideally, you should know your budget before you even go to your first viewing. That way, if an estate agent shows you a beautiful property that’s well above what you can afford, you can objectively decide that it’s not your “perfect” home, because it’s too expensive.

You should think carefully about the price you would like to pay for a property, what you are prepared to realistically offer and what your final, inflexible upper limit is. Factor in possible renovations or redecorating and remember to keep your focus and avoid getting caught up in a bidding war.

When you think you’ve found your new home, please get in touch with our team at H&S Surveyors. We would be happy to discuss the details of the property and arrange a RICS HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey to make sure everything is in good working order before you move in.