Quick use: this page defines the Hebrew and technical terms you meet when you buy, finance, or check an Israeli property, grouped by where they come up. Each term gets one plain line. Where a term has its own deep guide in this hub, the term links to it. For the full picture start at the Israel real estate investment hub.
By the Semerenko Group research desk. Last updated 15 June 2026. Confirm tax and legal figures with a licensed professional before acting.
Title and land registry
- Tabu: the national land registry where ownership is recorded. See due diligence.
- Nesach Tabu: the title extract that shows the owner, mortgages, liens, and any warning note.
- Gush, Chelka, Tat-Chelka: the block, parcel, and sub-parcel numbers that identify a property.
- He’arat Azhara: a warning note registered on title that protects a buyer between signing and full registration.
- ILA (Rami), Israel Land Authority: the state body that leases most land. About 93% of Israel is state land leased for 49 or 99 years; only about 7% is private freehold.
- Chevra Meshakenet: a housing company that holds registration for some older buildings before title moves into Tabu.
Planning and urban renewal
- TAMA 38: the former national plan for seismic reinforcement, now closed to new permit applications. See urban renewal.
- Pinui Binui: evacuate and rebuild renewal, which needs two-thirds owner consent to override a refusing minority.
- Tofes 4 (Form 4): the occupancy permit that lets you legally move into a new build.
- Hetel Hashbacha: betterment levy, normally 50% of the value uplift from a planning change. See taxes.
Taxes
- Mas Rechisha: purchase tax, paid by the buyer. Most foreign and investor buyers pay 8% up to 6,055,070 NIS and 10% above. See Israel real estate taxes.
- Mas Shevach: capital gains tax, 25% on the real (inflation-adjusted) gain.
- Ma’am: VAT, 18% since January 2025, charged on new-build developer sales. See VAT on Israeli property.
- Arnona: municipal property tax, paid by whoever occupies the property.
Financing and money
- Mashkanta: a mortgage. See financing and mortgages.
- Prime: the bank prime rate, set at the Bank of Israel rate plus 1.5%.
- Madad: the consumer price index that CPI-linked loans and some contracts track.
- LTV (loan to value): the share a bank will lend. Caps are 75% for a first home, 70% for a replacement home, and 50% for an investor or additional property.
Parties, documents, and the apartment
- Zichron Devarim: a short preliminary memo that can legally bind you. Do not sign one casually. See the buying process.
- Vaad Bayit: the building committee that collects monthly fees and manages shared areas. See due diligence.
- Bedek Bayit: the engineer inspection of a property before you buy.
- Mamad: the reinforced safe room required in newer apartments.
- Shamai: a licensed appraiser whose valuation the bank relies on.
Market data sources
- Nadlan.gov.il: the Tax Authority database of recorded transaction prices.
- CBS (Lamas): the Central Bureau of Statistics, for prices, starts, and inventory.
- Bank of Israel: for the policy rate, inflation, and mortgage rules.
- GovMap: the national map for zoning and planning. See how to use these on evaluating a deal.
Common questions
Why are so many property terms in Hebrew?
The registry, tax, and planning systems all run in Hebrew, so the legal documents you sign use these exact words. Knowing them helps you read a title extract or a contract without guessing.
Which terms matter most for a foreign buyer?
Tabu and Nesach Tabu (what you own), Mas Rechisha (what you pay to buy), LTV (what a bank will lend), and Zichron Devarim (what can bind you early). Start there.
Next step: pick the topic you need and open its guide from the investment hub.
