the house which the woman from Manchester purchased was almost denied mortgage because of Japanese knotweed that ISN'T on her property due to bizarre law.
Property

Woman Denied Mortgage Over Off-Site Japanese Knotweed: Unraveling the Peculiar Legalities Impacting Homeownership

Amy Walters
Amy Walters
3 Min Read
Story from Jam Press (Japanese Knotweed Property) Pictured: The front yard. Woman gets mortgage denied because of Japanese knotweed that ISN'T on her property due to bizarre law A woman has revealed how she was denied a mortgage due to a common plant that wasn’t on her property. Lisa Best, who purchased her first home, at the age of only 23, has always been an “absolute saver” and was brought up with a frugal mindset toward money. The 42-year-old, from Manchester, became inspired to get into property after graduating from university and renting out a flat close to work – but was eager to put money in her own pocket, rather than someone else’s. Now, the investor has a portfolio worth £750,000 – however, it’s not all been smooth sailing, with the mum claiming she was once denied a mortgage due to a bizarre law relating to Japanese knotweed, a fast-growing plant that weakens buildings and structures. “I renovated a property [a few years ago] and there was evidence of the plant in the surrounding alleyways, which wasn’t picked up when I initially bought it,” Lisa told AbsolutelyBusiness.com. “I later wanted to re-mortgage, but as it can’t be within seven metres of a home in order to get approved for the loan, they denied my application. “It was nerve-wracking, as I had never experienced this before and the worst-case scenarios kept running through my mind. “I thought I’d have to sell the property – and worse, if I was able to even sell it due to this – but I acted straight away to try and sort it out.” Lisa got a specialist to professionally treat the growth and showed certification of this as evidence to her mortgage lender, who approved her for the loan. She said: “It’s not necessarily ‘game over’ if you do get refused a mortgage. “It was a bit of a back-and-forth battle to see if they would accept, as there was no guarantee the certification would be enough. “If I was buying this home for myself as a fir

Lisa Best, a homeowner since 23, shares her financial journey. Inspired by property investment post-university, the 42-year-old, from Manchester, built a £750,000 portfolio.

Despite success, Lisa faced a mortgage denial due to Japanese knotweed on nearby properties. In her words to What’sTheJam.co.uk, “I renovated a property [a few years ago], and there was evidence of the plant in the surrounding alleyways, which wasn’t picked up when I initially bought it.”

READ MORE: Facebook users stunned by ‘UFO’ house for sale in middle of the woods

Lisa Best the woman who was denied mortgage because of Japanese knotweed that ISN'T on her property due to bizarre law.
Lisa Best. (Picture: Jam Press)

Lisa’s mortgage saga unfolded when seeking a re-mortgage, encountering hurdles due to Japanese knotweed within seven meters of her property. She recalls the anxiety, thinking about potential property sale challenges.

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Lisa swiftly addressed the issue, hiring a specialist for treatment and providing certification to her mortgage lender, securing approval. She emphasizes that a mortgage refusal isn’t a “game over” scenario, sharing her experience as an investor and highlighting the potential stress for a first-time buyer.

the house which the woman from Manchester purchased was almost denied mortgage because of Japanese knotweed that ISN'T on her property due to bizarre law.
The Japanese knotweed found in the surrounding alleyways. (Picture: Jam Press)

UK law permits Japanese knotweed on a property if declared, but exceeding seven meters may lead to legal consequences.

Lisa, the founder of Moving House Support And Information | Propertyable, reflects on her property journey, influenced by her father’s regret of not investing in property earlier. At 42, she aimed for an easier life for her future kids, buying her first home with excitement.

the house which the woman from Manchester purchased was almost denied mortgage because of Japanese knotweed that ISN'T on her property due to bizarre law.
The living area before renovations. (Picture: Jam Press)

With a saved £5,000, she purchased a £79,000 house, later selling it for £104,000 after cost-effective DIY renovations. Lisa acknowledges her initial naivety regarding hidden costs but shares her insights and experiences on TikTok (@nwpropertymum).

Lisa shares her strategic approach, working backward from her goal to determine savings needs. Opting for a property slightly out of her desired area, she kept savings separate, reassessed spending habits, eliminating shop-bought coffee and meal deals, sticking to packed lunches.

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With this disciplined approach, she expanded her portfolio, acquiring and renovating eight more properties. Lisa retains four for rental income, showcasing her success in property investment.

READ MORE: London’s dire property market strikes again as flat with shower ATTACHED to KITCHEN dubbed ‘excellent value for money’

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