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When BBC’s Rip Off Britain turned its attention to Japanese knotweed this month, Environet was invited to help investigate a troubling case of misrepresentation involving a couple who discovered knotweed shortly after moving into their new home. The programme, aired on 10 November 2025, followed the homeowners as they tried to understand how the infestation went unnoticed during the buying process and why neither the seller nor the surveyor had identified it. With many sellers responding “No” or “Not known” to the TA6 form and knotweed often going undetected until after completion, it is an increasingly familiar scenario.
Rip Off Britain explored these gaps in the system and highlighted how costly the consequences can be. The couple featured in the episode learned from neighbours that the knotweed had been present for years, raising serious questions around what should have been disclosed and how the risk ought to have been identified. Rip Off Britain presenters asked Environet to assist because of our long-established reputation for technical expertise, reliable identification, and specialist support in property-related knotweed disputes.
Environet’s Finance & Technical Director, Mathew Day, visited the property to advise the couple and help viewers understand what typically goes wrong in cases involving misrepresentation or professional negligence. Mat regularly acts as an Expert Witness in knotweed-related legal cases and produces reports for misrepresentation, negligence and encroachment claims. His work with both claimants and defendants allowed the programme to give a clear and accurate explanation of what the couple could realistically expect next, both legally and practically.
Mat advises;
“Knotweed now affects around 5% of UK homes, so while it might be tempting to cross your fingers and hope for the best, if it later arises you could be liable for tens of thousands of pounds. The only way to confidently state that a property is unaffected is to commission a professional Japanese knotweed survey, backed by a warranty.”
You can watch the full investigation on BBC iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002m394/rip-off-britain-series-17-16-new-home-knotweed-noone-told-us-about
As the episode made clear, misrepresentation remains one of the most common knotweed issues affecting homebuyers. Sellers are required to answer the TA6 property information form accurately, yet a significant number still fail to disclose knotweed either through misunderstanding, lack of certainty or a desire to avoid complications during the sale. Surveyors are expected to report visible knotweed, but visibility can be limited by time of year, access issues or the stage of growth. Added to this, research indicates that a worrying number of sellers would prefer not to disclose knotweed, while others answer in good faith but are unaware the plant is present, especially where rhizomes lie underground or spread from neighbouring land. This creates a perfect storm of uncertainty for buyers, surveyors and conveyancers.
For a deeper look at how misrepresentation works and what homeowners can do, see our Japanese Knotweed & Property Guide.
If you suspect knotweed misrepresentation or negligence, contact our expert team for advice. We provide specialist surveys, legal support, and Expert Witness reporting to help homeowners understand their position and plan the right way forward.
