The differences between an apartment in the land registry and an apartment with a certificate of rights – what is important to know before buying or selling a property

When you enter into a real estate transaction, one of the critical things you must check is the registration of the rights to the property. This is an important legal issue that affects the purchase process, obtaining the mortgage, and your confidence that the property truly belongs to the seller. Two common types of registration in Israel are an apartment registered in the Land Registry and an apartment with a certificate of rights – and at "Zadim Real Estate and Finance" we are here to explain the differences to you and help you make a safe and correct transaction.

What is a registered apartment?

The "Taboo" is the Land Registry Office in Israel, where the official registry of all rights to real estate properties is maintained. When a property is registered with the Taboo, anyone interested can obtain a Taboo copy and see the legal details of the apartment:

• Who is the official owner of the apartment?
• Is there a warning notice or lien on the property?
• The size of the apartment and its exact registration

The advantages of a registered apartment:

Neat and clear registration that provides complete confidence in purchasing the property

Ease of obtaining a mortgage – banks prefer properties registered in the land registry

Faster and simpler selling or purchasing process

What is an apartment with a certificate of rights?

An apartment with a certificate of rights is a property that is not registered in the land registry but is managed by another body, such as the Israel Land Authority , housing companies (such as Amidar, Africa Israel, etc.) or construction companies that hold the registration of rights. In such a case, instead of a tabu, a certificate of rights is issued by the company or the managing authority, which shows who the registered owner is and what the status of the rights in the property is.

The advantages of an apartment with a certificate of rights:

These are usually newer apartments in projects built on government land.

Proper registration with the director's office, even though it is not in the registry office

Disadvantages of an apartment with a certificate of rights:

The ownership transfer process is longer and requires more bureaucracy

Less convenience in getting a mortgage – banks sometimes request additional documents

Less transparency – not all comments