Southwest Knotweed Group has launched KnotweediD, a new app designed to help homeowners and property professionals identify suspected Japanese knotweed from a photograph.
The app provides a free initial identification within seconds, giving users an indication of whether the plant pictured could be Japanese knotweed or another commonly confused species.
Users requiring greater certainty for a property sale, mortgage application or neighbour dispute can pay £9.99 for a Confirmed Report. Submitted photographs are reviewed by a Property Care Association-accredited surveyor who holds the Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed qualification.
The service produces a dated PDF report containing the surveyor’s findings, a site risk assessment and an indicative cost estimator. No account is required, and users can delete their information at any time.
BIG IMPACT
KnotweediD has been developed to address the difficulty many homeowners experience when trying to distinguish Japanese knotweed from similar-looking plants.
Although the presence of knotweed does not automatically prevent a property from being sold or mortgaged, it can result in further investigations and may affect lending, valuation and conveyancing decisions. It can also become a source of disagreement where growth is suspected of spreading between neighbouring properties.
Alexander White, Surveyor at Southwest Knotweed Group, says: “Most people only start looking closely at an unfamiliar plant when there is already something important at stake, such as a property sale, mortgage application or concern raised by a neighbour.
“Searching through images online can often create more uncertainty because Japanese knotweed is easily confused with several other plants. KnotweediD gives users a quick and straightforward first indication, followed by access to a qualified surveyor if they need a more definitive answer.
“We wanted the service to be useful without making the process unnecessarily complicated or expensive. People can carry out an initial photo check for free, without creating an account, and only pay for a surveyor-reviewed report if they require it.
“For estate agents, landlords and conveyancers, the app can also provide a practical way to investigate concerns at an early stage rather than allowing uncertainty to delay a transaction.”
Southwest Knotweed Group has also introduced iD Pro, a £12.99-a-month subscription aimed at estate agents, landlords, conveyancers and other property professionals who regularly encounter suspected knotweed. Subscribers receive unlimited surveyor reviews.
The app has been built specifically to identify plants found in the UK and is backed by Southwest Knotweed Group’s team of PCA-accredited surveyors.
More information HERE.
