How do I check whether an Israeli property has a mortgage or financial charge registered against it?

Israeli real property rights are governed by the Land Law 5729-1969, which requires that all interests — including mortgages, liens, and easements — be registered in the Land Registry (Tabu) to have legal effect against third parties. Once registered, these encumbrances bind any future buyer unless they are formally discharged. The Nesach Tabu (official registry extract) is the authoritative document reflecting the current state of registered rights on a specific parcel. It is issued by the Israel Land Registry Authority (Rasham HaMekarkain) and is legally current as of its issuance date and time. Part of thorough due diligence on Israeli property involves obtaining and carefully reviewing this extract before any binding commitment is made.

Before signing any purchase agreement, a buyer should obtain a fresh Nesach Tabu — ideally dated within 24–48 hours of signing, because charges can be registered at any time. The extract will show: the identity of the registered owner or owners, any mortgage in favor of a bank or private lender, any attachment order (ikul) placed by a court or the Execution Office, any caveat (haarah) noting disputed ownership or a pending transaction, and any easement or servitude burdening the property. For leasehold land (where the state is the underlying landowner), a lawyer will also check the Israel Land Authority (Rashut Mekarkei Yisrael) database, since leasehold rights on state land are tracked there rather than in the standard Tabu registry.

From the full guide: Due Diligence on Israeli Property: A Complete Checklist

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