Real estate transactions in Israel involve complex legal and regulatory requirements. With dual expertise in law and real estate, Shoshi Arbib provides end-to-end legal representation for buyers, sellers, and condo associations. (Shoshi Arbib Law Office.)
Real estate transactions in Israel involve complex legal and regulatory requirements. With dual expertise in law and real estate, Shoshi Arbib provides end-to-end legal representation for buyers, sellers, and condo associations.
Services Include
- Purchase and sale of apartments (resale and new construction)
- Land Registry filings and mortgage handling
- Shared building (condo) legal representation
- Dispute resolution before the Registrar
How to Complete a Property Transaction in Israel
- Title search at the Land Registry — Verify the property's status at the Israel Land Authority (Tabu): check for mortgages, liens, cautions, planning restrictions, and confirm the seller is the registered owner.
- Draft and negotiate the purchase agreement — Your attorney reviews and negotiates contract terms, including payment schedule, bank guarantees, and penalty clauses.
- Staged payments with bank guarantees — Funds are transferred in installments, each protected by a bank guarantee until full ownership is registered.
- Tax declarations and payment — The buyer files a Purchase Tax declaration with the Israel Tax Authority within 50 days; the seller files for Capital Gains Tax (Mas Shevach) assessment.
- Registration of ownership at the Tabu — After all payments are made and taxes cleared, ownership is registered in the Land Registry in the buyer's name.
Shared Buildings (Condominiums)
Building rights in a shared building belong jointly to all apartment owners unless otherwise registered in the building by-laws. Expanding an apartment at the expense of common property requires the consent of owners of at least 75% of the apartments who together hold two-thirds of the common property — under Section 71b of the Land Law. A municipal building permit alone is not sufficient; property rights must also be secured. We represent owners in neighbour consent negotiations, building committee disputes, and registration of agreements at the Land Registry.
What should you check before buying a property in Israel?
Before signing a real estate transaction in Israel, verify the property's status in the Israel Land Authority (Tabu) — checking for mortgages, liens, cautions, and building permits — and confirm that the seller is the registered owner and the property is debt-free. Professional legal representation is mandatory in every Israeli real estate transaction.
What taxes apply to a real estate transaction according to the Israel Tax Authority?
Purchasing property in Israel triggers a Purchase Tax paid by the buyer, while the seller may owe Capital Gains Tax (Mas Shevach). According to the Israel Tax Authority, first-home buyers benefit from significant exemptions; buyers of a second property are taxed at up to 8%. Proper tax planning before signing can save tens of thousands of shekels.
What does a real estate lawyer (עורך דין נדלן) do in Israel?
A real estate lawyer in Israel accompanies buyers and sellers through every stage of a property transaction — from drafting the purchase agreement to registering ownership at the Land Registry (Tabu). They verify liens and title defects, protect funds through bank guarantees, and ensure tax compliance. Legal representation is essential in every Israeli property deal.
Official References: Israel Land Authority · Israel Tax Authority · Israel Ministry of Justice · Israeli Courts Administration · National Insurance Institute of Israel
Shoshi Arbib Law Office — Attorney | CPA | Mediator, Netanya, Israel.
