Tabu Extract (Nesach Tabu) — How to Get, Read, and Understand It (2026 Guide)

What is a Tabu extract and why is it critical before any transaction

A Tabu extract is an official document from Israel's Land Registration Office that shows everything legally recorded about a property: the owners' identities, property size, any mortgages, liens, court orders, or caveats. In simple terms, if the property were a person, the Tabu extract is its ID card.

Why does this matter? Without checking the Tabu, you have no way to verify that the seller actually owns the property, that there are no debts attached to it, or that a third party doesn't have claims on it. In the Ono Valley (Bik'at Ono) — whether you're looking at a 4-room apartment in Kiryat Ono, a private house in Ganei Tikva, or a plot in Savyon — this check is the mandatory first step.

Anyone can pull a Tabu extract on any property in Israel — it's public information. You don't need to be the owner, you don't need a lawyer, and you don't need a reason. It costs less than a falafel meal.

How to get an online Tabu extract — step by step

Getting an online Tabu extract is a straightforward process that takes just a few minutes. Here's the complete walkthrough:

**Step 1 — Find the Block and Parcel numbers:** Before entering the Ministry of Justice website, you need the Gush (Block), Helka (Parcel), and Tat-Helka (Sub-parcel) numbers. If you don't have them, go to GovMap (govmap.gov.il), type in the property address, and the map will display the numbers. Alternative: tabucheck.co.il allows searches by address and city.

**Step 2 — Go to the official Ministry of Justice site:** Navigate to mekarkein-online.justice.gov.il. This is the only official government site for extracting Tabu documents.

**Step 3 — Choose the extract type:** Select regular (current status), historical (full ownership chain), or consolidated (all units in a building).

**Step 4 — Enter property details:** Input the Gush, Helka, and Tat-Helka numbers.

**Step 5 — Pay and receive:** Pay the fee (~₪18 for a regular online extract) by credit card. The extract is emailed to you within minutes.

How to read a Tabu extract — the three sections you must know

A Tabu extract looks technical and intimidating, but it's built in a clear three-part structure. Once you understand the layout, everything becomes readable.

**Section 1 — Property Description:** Contains the Block, Parcel, and Sub-parcel numbers (the property's registry address), property type (apartment, private house, storage, commercial), floor, registered area (in sqm), and proportional share in common property. Note: the registered area doesn't always match the actual area due to different measurement methods, unrecorded additions, or gross vs. net definitions.

**Section 2 — Ownership:** Lists registered owners' names, ID numbers, their proportional share (e.g., 1/2 for each spouse), and the date ownership was registered. This is the section that confirms the seller is actually the owner. Always compare Tabu details with the seller's ID.

**Section 3 — Legal Notes:** The most critical section. Shows mortgages, caveats (commitments to future transactions), seizure orders, court orders, expropriation notices, planning and building law notes, and any other restrictions. Every line here requires attention.

Red flags in a Tabu extract — what should trigger alarm bells

Not everything in a Tabu extract is problematic. A registered mortgage is routine — most apartments in Israel were purchased with a mortgage. But several findings should immediately raise red flags:

**Seizure order (Ikul):** A seizure order means a creditor (bank, tax authority, or individual) has a claim against the property owner. Iron rule: never buy a property with an active seizure before it's fully removed. Removal is the seller's responsibility.

**Caveat in favor of a third party:** If there's a caveat for someone other than a mortgage bank, the property may already be committed to another buyer. A caveat under Section 126 of the Land Law indicates a written commitment to transact — effectively blocking contradictory deals.

**Mismatch between registered owner and seller identity:** If the owner's name in the extract doesn't match the person trying to sell, stop everything. It could be an heir who hasn't transferred rights yet, or worse — an attempted fraud.

**Demolition order or planning law notes:** These indicate illegal construction or building violations. In older neighborhoods with private houses (common in the Ono Valley), unpermitted additions often show up as notes in the extract.

**Multiple or unusual mortgages:** One mortgage is normal. Two mortgages or liens to different entities suggest the owner may be in financial difficulty.

When the property isn't in Tabu — RMI and housing companies

Not every property in Israel is registered in Tabu. A significant percentage — especially apartments built before the 1990s or properties on state land — are registered elsewhere. There are three main registration bodies:

**Land Registration Office (Tabu):** The official body providing the strongest legal protection. Registration here grants a "property right" (kinyanit) — absolute ownership recognized by all authorities.

**Israel Land Authority (RMI):** Manages most state land (~93%). If the property is on RMI land and hasn't been transferred to Tabu, you'll need a "rights confirmation" from RMI — equivalent to a Tabu extract but with somewhat weaker legal standing.

**Housing Company (Chevra Meshakenet):** In new developments, before a building is registered as a condominium in Tabu, rights are managed by a housing company (usually the developer's lawyer). This is temporary registration granting only "contractual rights" — not property rights.

If you're checking a property in the Ono Valley and can't find it in Tabu — don't panic. Contact RMI (via gov.il) or find out who the housing company is. A real estate lawyer will know how to navigate this.

Block, Parcel, and Sub-parcel — how to find the numbers by address

To pull a Tabu extract, you need three numbers: Gush (Block), Helka (Parcel), and Tat-Helka (Sub-parcel). The Block is a defined geographic area, the Parcel is a specific plot (usually a building), and the Sub-parcel is the specific unit within the building.

**Method 1 — GovMap (free):** Go to govmap.gov.il, enter the address. The map displays Block and Parcel numbers.

**Method 2 — Commercial lookup sites:** Sites like tabucheck.co.il allow searching by address and city, including Kiryat Ono, Ganei Tikva, Yehud, and Or Yehuda.

**Method 3 — Municipality websites:** Some municipalities offer Block/Parcel lookup tools on their websites.

**Method 4 — Existing documents:** Rental agreements, property tax (arnona) assessments, or old purchase contracts typically contain the Block and Parcel numbers.

**No Sub-parcel?** For private houses, there's often no sub-parcel (the house is the only unit on the parcel). In buildings not yet registered as condominiums, sub-parcels may not exist yet. In that case, pull a consolidated extract for the entire parcel, or contact the housing company.