It’s seen as a scourge by many, causing a headache for homeowners and often affecting house prices.

But Japanese knotweed isn’t any more of a threat than other “disruptive plants and trees” that don’t cause the same issues when it comes to property sales, a new study has found.

The report from Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee found that the UK has taken an “overly cautious” approach to the plant and there should be changes to the rules surrounding it.

Japanese knotweed was introduced to the UK in the 19th century and can be difficult to get rid of. Previously the plant has been believed to pose a risk of damage to buildings that are within seven metres of the above-ground portions of the plant – the so-called ‘seven metre rule’ – because of its underground shoots.

Mortgage lenders often require evidence that a treatment programme is in place to control Japanese knotweed which leads to added expense and headache for sellers.

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