Busman’s Holiday …

‘For as the earth bringeth forth her bud …’ Isaiah 61:11

Last week we were away in West Yorkshire looking after our clients and doing some walking in the tremendous Peaks around the area in our spare time.

Like any good Busman’s Holiday, we spent some of our leisure time admiring the explosion of Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam that seems to be swallowing up more of the country every day. Miles and miles of the stuff along the roads, canals, and even in the pub car park.

As noted in previous posts, regrettably we are finding Knotweed and other triffids more often on our building surveys – with the result usually being that the deal falls through when the mortgage company gets cold feet.

If you don’t know what it looks like, then take a look at our Rogue’s Gallery below and before you sell your property check to see whether you can spot any of these snakes in your garden. If you’re not sure, then give us a call and we’ll be happy to take a look for you. Even a young plant in close proximity to your building or a neighbour’s building will be enough to torpedo your move – despite most issues being treatable and manageable over time.

If the current rate of spread across the country continues then mortgage companies are going to have to take a more balanced, risk-based view on each case rather than just turning away knee-jerk. If Knotweed is palatable as some hipster blogs suggest then it could serve as an endless supply of free salad right on your doorstep. Just don’t throw the off-cuts into your green bin !