Splitting a title

Hello we are in the process of purchasing a property. Our seller is purchasing another property which is currently vacant. They have discovered that the rear garden is within title number WYK546965 and is registered as being within the next door neighbours ownership. 

They are going through the process of splitting this out. However, no one is giving any indication of how long this is going to take. Are you able to give a timeframe? When I have searched this online and some results have said this can take up to a year. Surely it is unreasonable to give no indication, what if we wanted to pull out on the sale if it is going to take over a year.

thank you

We don't intend to pull out of the purchase FYI, however, this would impact our mortgage offer which is set to expire in 5 months and also our current living situation whilst we wait for the sale to go through

Hello Olivia - the first thing to establish is what do they mean by 'split out'? Do they mean that they are claiming ownership of the land? The neighbours are transferring it to them? Or something else. The answer will give you a better idea of what's required.
As for waiting that isn't an issue as they can request expedition to keep the processing time as short as possible.
Request an expedite - GOV.UK
Expedition isn't a magic wand though so again what the actual application is for will have a bearing on how long the wait might be. For example a claim could be 3-4 months at least whilst a transfer might be a few weeks. Everything depends on everything being submitted correctly of course though
Suggest you speak to your own conveyancer/the seller to confirm precisely what's happening and when they expect to submit the application and ensure that they also request expedition 
And if they've submitted it already ask them to confirm the title number and our case reference 
 

Hi Adam, 

Thank you for your response and understood! I have put the queries to our solicitor and hopefully they will share the case reference. 

Are you able to look if there are any related applications to the title I mentioned?

thanks 

Olivia

Hi Olivia - there's nothing pending against title WYK546965 

Thanks Adam, ill keep chasing

Good morning Adam, 

Please see below for the application number and title reference. Are you able to see what the application is in reference to and if a request for expedition has been submitted? 

Thank you

Olivia

Application Reference: 5HNHPYW Title Number: WYK287257
 

Good Morning Olivia - there are two pending applications. The first re a change of name and the second to amend a mapping issue. Both raised by the same conveyancer and neither as yet expedited
I'll flag with colleagues re the urgency 
5HNHPYW  isn't a HMLR reference 
WYK287257

Thanks Adam, much appreciated, ill check back in a week or so

Olivia