Tabu extract (land registry)
What it proves: who the registered owner of the property is, and its legal status — mortgages, liens, warning notes and other rights registered against it. It is the home’s legal identity card, and the first document every serious buyer and their lawyer will ask for.
Obtain a Tabu extract on the government site — the official service, for a nominal fee. There is no reason to pay document resellers more.
Block and parcel (gush and helka)
What it gives you: the property’s block, parcel and sub-parcel numbers — without which you cannot obtain a Tabu extract or check building plans. If you do not know them, you can look them up by address.
Find block and parcel by address — in the Tax Authority’s register.
Plan and building permit
What it proves: that what is actually built matches what was approved. These are the documents that will raise the question of building violations — and it is better you discover it early. They are obtained from the archive of the city’s local planning and building committee.
If there are violations — take advice before advertising. To complete the deal you will need the local authority’s approval for transferring the rights, and the authority may refuse to give it until the violations are regularised or fines are paid. In some cases a demolition order is even issued. An architect and a lawyer will tell you what it means in practice.
Betterment levy assessment
When you need it: if the property carries building rights or reliefs set in a plan — even if you have not exercised them. You can apply to the municipality for an assessment in advance, to know whether this cost applies to you before you agree a price. We go into it in the guide to the costs of selling.
Mortgage payoff balance
When you need it: if a mortgage is registered on the property. Check the repayment balance and the exit and repayment points with the bank — it affects the timetable of the deal, not only the money.
The full list of what to put in order before the property goes up for sale is in the seller’s guide.
