Southwest Knotweed Group has launched an app designed to help mortgage and property professionals identify suspected Japanese knotweed from a photograph.

KnotweediD provides a free initial assessment within seconds, indicating whether the plant pictured may be Japanese knotweed or one of several commonly confused species.

Where additional evidence is required for a mortgage application, valuation or property transaction, users can purchase a surveyor-reviewed Confirmed Report for £9.99.

The report is supplied as a dated PDF and includes the surveyor’s findings, a site risk assessment and an indicative treatment cost estimator.

MORTGAGE DELAYS

Suspected Japanese knotweed can lead to further investigations during the mortgage process and may influence a lender’s valuation or underwriting decision.

While its presence does not automatically make a property unmortgageable, lenders may require a specialist survey, treatment plan and insurance-backed guarantee before agreeing to proceed.

Southwest Knotweed told Mortgage Soup its app could help brokers and their clients investigate concerns earlier, reducing the risk of an unidentified plant delaying a transaction later in the application process.

Photographs submitted for a Confirmed Report are reviewed by a Property Care Association-accredited surveyor holding the Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed qualification.

Alexander White, surveyor at Southwest Knotweed Group, said: “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.”

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Southwest Knotweed has also introduced iD Pro, a subscription service for mortgage-related and property professionals who regularly encounter suspected knotweed.

Priced at £12.99 a month, it provides unlimited surveyor reviews and is aimed at estate agents, landlords, conveyancers and other businesses involved in property transactions.

No account is required to use the free consumer service, while users can delete their information at any time.

The app has been developed specifically to identify plants found in the UK and is supported by Southwest Knotweed Group’s team of accredited surveyors.

More information HERE.