What Is a Hearat Azhara?

A Hearat Azhara (הערת אזהרה), literally a “cautionary note,” is a notation registered against a property in Israel's Land Registry (Tabu) that warns third parties of an existing claim or pending transaction on that property.

The most common use: after signing a purchase agreement, a buyer's lawyer registers a Hearat Azhara in the buyer's favor. This protects the buyer's position by publicly signaling, through the official Tabu extract, that the property is already subject to a sale in progress — before final registration is complete.

Why it matters when you are checking a property: if a Tabu extract shows an existing Hearat Azhara registered in favor of someone other than the current seller, this is a serious red flag. It may mean the property is already subject to another pending sale, a court order, or an unresolved dispute. Do not proceed until a lawyer has obtained a clear written explanation and, if needed, formal removal of the prior note.

A Hearat Azhara is not the same as actual ownership — it is a protective registration, not a transfer of title. Final ownership transfer happens only when the property is formally registered in the buyer's name following closing.

Source: Israeli Ministry of Justice — Land Registration and Settlement of Rights Authority (הרשות לרישום והסדר זכויות מקרקעין)