JAPANESE KNOTWEED SURVEYOR TRAINING

Are you a surveyor and require training on how to survey potential Japanese knotweed infestations? Knotweed services LTD can help. We can offer specific training that conforms to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Japanese knotweed information.

Are you a surveyor and require training on how to survey potential Japanese knotweed infestations? Knotweed services LTD can help. We can offer specific training that conforms to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Japanese knotweed information.

The RICS paper is the first cross-industry approved paper that recommends advice to Chartered Surveyors on how to categorise Japanese Knotweed and the approved recommended actions on how to remove and treat Japanese knotweed.

The aim of the of the RICS Japanese knotweed information paper was produced with the aim to encourage mortgage lenders and banks to lend on properties that may be affected by Japanese knotweed. This is done by defining not only what Japanese knotweed is but also to identify how severe the problem may be.

We can also offer all surveyors a backup service to their own reports for example: knotweed services LTD can provide a separate report identifying potential treatment options and provisional costs.

WHAT IS THE RICS JAPANESE KNOTWEED PAPER?

Japanese knotweed services uses the information paper supplied by RICS to aid in our reports and own surveys. We can train and facilitate surveyors to correctly adhere to this paper.

The RICS information paper aims to help residential practitioners consider the implications of a Japanese Knotweed intrusion on or near a dwelling, when undertaking valuations of residential property in the UK.

The IP includes reference to the main UK legislative and regulatory provisions that affect, or are considered likely to affect, residential value.

RICS JAPANESE KNOTWEED 5 DEGREES OF SEVERITY

The RICS IP categorises the risk that can be caused by Japanese knotweed into five separate degrees of severity. They are as follows:

1. No Japanese knotweed is found on the property or those nearby.
2. There is no Japanese knotweed on the property but it has been found on a neighbouring building or land but it is more than 7 metres away from the boundary.
3. Japanese knotweed has not been found within the boundaries of the property but it is present on a neighbouring property within 7 metres of the boundary but more than 7 metres from the habitable spaces of the property.
4. Japanese knotweed has been spotted within the boundaries of the property but it is more than 7 metres from the habitable space. Any damage to outbuildings, paths and fences is only minor. RICS suggest that a Japanese knotweed survey is required.
5. Japanese knotweed has been spotted within 7 metres of a habitable space at the property. This could be either within the boundaries of a property or in a neighbouring property.

For anything that falls between severity levels 2-5, the RICS suggest that a specialist Japanese knotweed survey is required – again knotweed services LTD can offer assistance.

RICS JAPANESE KNOTWEED TREATMENT INFORMATION

The RICS Japanese knotweed information paper suggests there are 4 different Japanese knotweed removal & treatment methods. Knotweed services LTD are able to offer both advice and offer the treatment options as required and laid out in their IP (see below).

1. Excavation of the plants and its roots. The Japanese knotweed infested soil can be excavated and removed to an off-site, licensed, waste-management facility.
2. On-site burial and/or encapsulation with membranes. Japanese knotweed can be buried on-site however, unless it is covered with 5m or more of overburden a specialist membrane must be installed to encapsulate the Japanese knotweed ridden soil to prevent re-growth. The use of an on-site barrier membrane is a popular technique if the Japanese knotweed encroaches onto a neighbours land and they are unwilling to pay for Japanese knotweed treatment.
3. Biological control. Biological Japanese knotweed control involves introducing a pest species that will attack and control the Japanese knotweed. This does not completely remove the Japanese knotweed but will keep it at a manageable level. There is a trial currently under-way in England using this method.
4. Chemical control. The chemical control of Japanese knotweed is when special herbicides are used to treat the Japanese knotweed over several growing seasons. It is usually the cheapest method but can take a number of years to be effective. However, Japanese knotweed guarantees are effective from the day of the first spraying.

To learn more about the treatment methods above, please visit our Japanese knotweed treatment methods here.

RICS JAPANESE KNOTWEED ASSESSMENT

The RICS IP uses three stages to assess the seriousness of the effects that Japanese knotweed has on a property. Please see below:

1. Collection of information about the nature and extent of the problem. This information is collected from an on-site Japanese knotweed survey. It can also include a survey of nearby land that is readily accessible or can be viewed from a distance. A local knowledge check can be used to identify general neighbourhood features which can be associated with Japanese knotweed growth such as the risk of flooding.
2. Analysis of this information so that the extent of the problem can be established
3. The use of this assessment as a basis for client advice.

If Japanese knotweed is found on a property then a management plan should be created to deal with the problem. We have extensive experience in producing Japanese knotweed management plans.

A Japanese knotweed management plan is used to provide the reassurance to lenders and buyers alike that Japanese knotweed problem can and will be managed correctly.

The RICS Japanese knotweed information paper suggests that contractors who are carrying out the Japanese knotweed removal treatment should have the following characteristics:

• A transparent fee structure that shows the total cost of treatment before the process begins
• A contract for the works to be completed
• An approved Japanese knotweed guarantee or warranty. Please see our comprehensive warranty and guarantee information here.
• A commitment to regular monitoring for and treatment of Japanese knotweed re-growth. We provide all of our clients with regular visits to ensure that their Japanese knotweed problem is removed and dealt with correctly and professionally.

Knotweed Services (UK) LTD has all of the above characteristics and more. Please contact us today to discuss how we can help train you and also how we can offer you advice and backup options. Our team is on hand and ready to assist you.