What is a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) risk assessment?

What is a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) risk assessment?

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to assess the level of risk to homeowners, purchasers or lenders by Japanese knotweed.  It considers the location of the knotweed in relation to the buildings at the property, and it addresses some of the concerns of lenders and insurance providers. 

Category 4: 
Japanese knotweed is within 7 metres of a habitable space, conservatory and/or garage, either within the boundaries of this property or in a neighbouring property or space; and/or Japanese Knotweed is causing serious damage to outbuildings, associated structures, drains, paths, boundary walls and fences and so on.

Category 3:
Although Japanese knotweed is present within the boundaries of the property, it is more than 7 metres from a habitable space, conservatory, and/or garage. If there is damage to outbuildings, associated structures, paths and boundary walls and fences, it is minor.

Category 2:
Japanese knotweed was not seen within the boundaries of this property, but it was seen on a neighbouring property or land. Here, it was within 7 metres of the boundary, but more than 7 metres away from habitable spaces, conservatory and/or garage of the subject property.

Category 1:
Japanese knotweed was not seen on this property, but it can be seen on a neighbouring property or land where it was more than 7 metres away from the boundary.

N.B. RICS recommend that further investigations by an appropriately qualified and/or experienced person are required for properties that fall into category 3 or 4.

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