What Is a Machsan and How Does It Affect My Property Purchase?

A Machsan (מחסן) is a storage unit, typically located in the basement or parking level of an apartment building, attached to a specific apartment. It is common in Israeli apartment buildings, particularly newer developments, and is often sold or registered together with the apartment itself.

Whether a Machsan is included matters for two practical reasons. First, it directly affects what you are actually buying — listings sometimes mention square footage that includes the storage unit's area, which can make a comparison between properties misleading if not clearly itemized. Second, ownership of a Machsan, like a parking space, should be formally registered as an attached right (Hatzmada) on the property's Tabu extract — not simply assumed because the current owner uses it.

When comparing properties, ask explicitly whether a Machsan is included in the sale, confirm its size, and verify with your lawyer that the right to use it is formally registered in the Tabu record as attached to the specific apartment — not informally allocated by the building's management committee (Vaad Bayit), which does not constitute legal ownership.

Source: Israeli Ministry of Justice — Land Registration and Settlement of Rights Authority, attached rights registration (הצמדות)