Q My wife and I have been driving around looking at cottages in readiness for our next move. We have noticed — on some of them — metal crosses on the exterior walls and neither of know what they actually are/ So, in order to satisfy our curiosities can you tell us what these are for and do they serve a purpose?

A The metal crosses are actually 'tie plates' which are the fixings for a 'tie bar'. As you've spotted they are commonly seen on older properties on front, rear and side elevations and should not be the cause for concern as the tie bar is added to prevent distortion or any further movement in untied flank walls. They simply anchor or 'tie' the exterior walls improving the structure, although I am sure a Chartered Surveyor could offer a far more comprehensive rationale for their use.

Both crosses (X) and 'S' shapes are used as the visible plate and I believe there are companies which make fairly ornate versions should you wish to add a more decorative finish. So as you can see they certainly serve a purpose and are decorative to boot.

Q I have just finished refurbishing a property and will be looking to get it on the market in the near future. I bought it as an investment at £157,000 and suggestions from local agents are that I could ask around £215,000 once it is finished.

I am a little worried that potential buyers will have investigated its previous sale price and baulk at the new asking price even though I have spent a small fortune on it. I may be being a little paranoid but I don’t want to lose out due to old information which is readily available in the public domain, any ideas?

A Some people may investigate the prior history of a property as it is all available on the wonderful worldwide web as you have pointed out. Others may not be bothered in the slightest and more focus their views based on the here and now. For those that query the proposed increase all you can do is justify it through the marketing of the property.

Clearly you will have made a comprehensive range of improvements which are visibly obvious to all viewers. But you will also need to make sure that your agent is fully aware of ALL the upgrading and improvements made and provide evidence of these. Certificates for electrics, central heating, double glazing and any other alterations which attract building control approval will be needed.

If you also furnish your agent with invoices showing payments for all the new additions like the kitchen, bathroom etc then they will have a sound and confident knowledge of all works carried out. In turn the agent can market the property comprehensively based on the impressive range of upgrading undertaken.

They could also prepare a fact sheet of all improvements to be left at the property so any potential buyer can see at a glance the lengths you have gone to. Some people have asked for records to be removed from various websites to prevent any knowledge of the previous sold price. But this type of information could be available in many formats and this could prove to be time consuming to ensure it is hidden.

Q While at my father-in-law's house some months ago, I noticed what I thought to be Japanese knotweed. After a little more investigation it is clear that it is indeed knotweed. We are aware that it will need to be eradicated as left untouched it could well become a much bigger problem. However, it is also pretty clear that the source of the knotweed is next door’s garden.

My father in law has informed the tenant who was fairly dismissive about it and without the actual source dealt with it seems a little futile to have it treated just on his side of the fence. What do we do next?

A It sounds as if the tenant is either uninterested or perhaps does not simply understand the problems that potentially can be caused if the knotweed is left un-treated. I would say that you have a responsibility to inform the owner landlord of the property in writing so he is fully aware that he has knotweed on his land and it is spreading.

Knotweed is a robust plant with an equally robust root system or ‘rhizome’ which in basic terms is a continuously growing horizontal underground stems which put out lateral shoots. The tenant should be able to supply contact details for the landlord or at the very least the letting agent who should be informed anyway. It may also be prudent to discuss the potential destructive nature of knotweed with the tenant suggesting also that he takes the time to read about so he doesn’t start pulling it out of the ground and dumping it elsewhere as a naive quick fix to the problem. He may be surprised to know that even the disposal of knotweed and the soil in which it was growing is classed as controlled waste and has to be disposed of in a licensed landfill site under specified codes of practice.

In relevant legal terms, your father-in-law could pursue the neighbour as that of a private nuisance should a sensible course of action not be agreed between them to eradicate the knotweed. Should matters escalate to an unsatisfactory point then I would suggest getting in touch with your family solicitor who will be able to exert appropriate pressure.