In a move to arm property professionals with more information earlier in the process, Environet has unveiled a new desktop-based reporting tool designed to assess the risk of Japanese knotweed before a site visit ever occurs.

The newly launched KnotSure™ report leverages Environet’s expansive knotweed heatmap—an ever-growing database now cataloguing over 100,000 confirmed infestations across the UK. This data is synthesized to assign a risk level—high, medium, or low—to any given property, offering a preliminary layer of due diligence.

But the report doesn’t stop there. It zooms out and shows how many known cases lie within a 2.5-mile radius of the property, while also providing a regional risk ranking to contextualize the threat on a broader scale.

Another critical component? The value impact assessment. This portion estimates the potential depreciation in property value should knotweed go unmanaged, and contrasts that with projected outcomes if treatment options are implemented—a financial perspective many buyers and sellers can’t afford to overlook.

Since 2020, when the Law Society revised the TA6 property information form, the way sellers disclose knotweed has become notably more ambiguous. The updated wording now requires sellers to confirm there is no knotweed—not only above ground, but also below the surface and within three metres of the boundary. That’s a tall order unless you're a botanist with X-ray vision.

Consequently, the number of sellers selecting the “not known” option has surged, sidestepping potential liability but leaving buyers in a fog of uncertainty.

Emily Grant, director at Environet, put it plainly: “The TA6 form is invaluable for flagging known knotweed infestations, and providing a route to legal recourse where a seller has answered dishonestly.

“But a huge hike in the number of ‘Not known’ responses in recent years has left many buyers in the dark when trying to understand knotweed risks.

“Using the vast amount of data at our disposal, we are now able to offer a low-cost solution to homebuyers, conveyancers, surveyors and estate agents who are unsure whether a property is affected by knotweed.”

She continued: “A KnotSure™ Report is a fast and affordable way to understand the level of risk and gain expert advice on whether an on-site survey should be commissioned, or indemnity insurance considered.”

Support for the report’s introduction is also coming from key voices in the surveying sector.

Andrew McColl, chairman of the Residential Property Surveyors Association, said: “The introduction of the KnotSure report represents a significant step forward for the property industry.

“As surveyors, we’re on the front line when it comes to assessing property condition, and knotweed is a major concern.

“This report offers a swift and reliable way to flag potential issues early on, benefiting not just surveyors but conveyancers, estate agents, and, most importantly, the public.”

He emphasized its potential to reshape workflows: “It’s a game-changer in terms of risk assessment and will undoubtedly contribute to a more efficient and robust property transaction process.”

In an era where liability fears are causing more sellers to retreat behind ambiguous answers, tools like KnotSure™ could bring a new level of clarity—and confidence—to property transactions long before anyone steps through the front door.