Homeowners warned of plants that can slash property value by £75,000 - you must 'act immediately'

Japanese knotweed is a pest for any homeowner and it can grow up to three metres tall at this time of year.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to remove, but if you don't do this it could knock the value of your home by five to 20 per cent, according to experts at Stokemont.

The average UK property price is £373,493 this month, according to Rightmove data released today, which means a 20 per cent price drop could mean nearly £75,000 off the home's selling price.

The experts urged homeowners to see if they have this in their gardens and act straight away if so.

Bradley Mackenzie from Stokemont said: "If you spot Japanese knotweed in your garden it is really important to take immediate action before it’s too late.

"We would highly recommend you seek professional help when removing them as they re-establish easily from even the smallest remains."

Homeowners can also take on the task of removing this themselves, but they must ensure this is done properly with a strong remover.

The expert added: "If you prefer doing it yourself, a strong herbicide such as Glyphosate would be the most effective method to kill those zombie-like plants.”

Japanese knotweed is particularly disruptive as it can spread and destroy pipework and drains and weaken building foundations and pavings.

It is also often listed as a property defect in homebuyer reports, which means it could encourage potential buyers to pull out of a sale entirely.

While invasive plants can damage the value of a property, there are some things to do in the garden that could persuade sellers to part with their cash.

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Experts share how Britons can boost the value of their homes by around £11,000 with basic garden maintenance.

This includes free jobs, such as mowing the lawn, as this can "increase the attractiveness" of the property.

The experts said: "Regular mowing, watering and fertilising keep your lawn lush and green, creating a great first impression.

"A healthy, vibrant lawn can signal to potential buyers that the property is well-maintained, which can increase its overall attractiveness and value by approximately two to three per cent."