Japanese knotweed is certainly a hot topic in the property world at the moment - its presence on a site has the ability to not just stall a build but also hold-up a sale, with some banks refusing to lend on homes where the weed is growing. This is due to the absolutely devastating effect the weed can have - pulling apart tarmac, concrete and foundations.

If all that information doesn't strike fear into property investor's or owners' hearts, the latest news probably will. In November this year, it was announced that Government plans to give anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and pretty hefty fines - £2,500 for individuals and £20,000 for companies - to anyone who fails to control these invasive species. This includes not just Japanese knotweed, but other plants including giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam.

Japanese Knotweed - its origins
The problem with knotweed specifically goes back to the Victorian era, when travellers brought it back to the UK from Asia because of its attractive flower. We have to assume the Victorians had no idea of the problems they were causing - the weed spreads rapidly, growing to a height of 3m in just one summer.