Japanese Knotweed Causes Up to 15% Property Value Drop

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This innocent-looking plant is silently destroying British homes and costing homeowners thousands in repair bills.

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Recent sunshine followed by heavy rain has triggered 'super growth' conditions across the UK - and one plant is taking full advantage.

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Japanese knotweed can slash your property value by 15% and make getting a mortgage nearly impossible.

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Its bamboo-like stems and heart-shaped leaves hide a sinister secret - roots that can crack foundations and burst through concrete.

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Banks refuse mortgages on properties with this plant unless professional treatment with insurance guarantees is completed first

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Courts now hold homeowners liable for damages if this plant spreads to neighboring properties - even without physical damage.

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Pink buds in spring become red-purple shoots that grow into distinctive speckled stems reaching two meters tall by summer.

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The real danger lurks underground - orange-colored roots spread seven meters horizontally and three meters deep.

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One crucial mistake homeowners make can spread fragments across their entire garden and worsen the infestation dramatically.

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Professional removal costs thousands and contaminated soil must be disposed of at specialized licensed facilities as controlled waste.

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Sellers must legally declare this plant on property forms - failure to disclose can result in costly misrepresentation lawsuits.

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Local authorities can issue fines up to £20,000 for organizations and £2,500 for individuals who fail to control infestations.

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