Destructive Japanese knotweed is taking hold in Leeds, research has found.
35 infestations of the damaging invasive plant have been found in Leeds postcodes, placing the city ninth in the Yorkshire rankings.
The information has been published by Environet UK, which launched a database this year to record the presence of knotweed across the country.
The presence of Japanese knotweed on a property can make property difficult to sell and even cut its value by up to 10%.
Environet estimates about 4 to 5% of UK properties are affected, wiping a total of £20 billion off house prices.
Ignoring an outbreak on your premises can be punishable in the courts.
Network Rail had to pay out £15,000 to two homeowners in Wales after it failed to control the invasive plant on its land
Nic Seal, Founder and MD of Environet, said: “ Japanese knotweed has become a major problem in Yorkshire and the Humber, particularly in the towns and cities along the River Don where the plant has almost certainly spread via the watercourse.
"It is impacting property prices, halting sales and causing a huge amount of stress and worry for homeowners.
"Anyone thinking about buying a property in the region, particularly in these hotspots, would be wise to check the number of infestations in the proximity of their postcode and consider instructing a Japanese knotweed survey on the property.”
The firm's heat map shows the problem is far worse in South Yorkshire than West Yorkshire.
Homeowners who are concerned about knotweed infestations near their home could consider purchasing a specialist Japanese knotweed indemnity policy, which covers them for the cost of treatment, repairs, legal costs and any diminution of the property’s value, should knotweed arise.
| No. | Location | No. of infestations within 4km |
| 1 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | 318 |
| 2 | Mexborough, South Yorkshire | 235 |
| 3 | Sheffield, South Yorkshire | 149 |
| 4 | Todmorden, West Yorkshire | 97 |
| 5 | Cudworth, South Yorkshire | 79 |
| 6 | Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire | 51 |
| 7 | Wakefield, West Yorkshire | 50 |
| 8 | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire | 44 |
| 9 | Leeds, West Yorkshire | 35 |
| 10 | Scarborough, North Yorkshire | 8 |
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