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Planning and Construction Lawyer in Israel
Planning and construction lawyer
A planning and construction lawyer specialises in building without a permit. Have you received notice of an inspector’s visit to your property? A warning over building violations, construction without a permit or use that deviates from the permit? Violations in a private house or in an apartment building? You have come to the right place – we are here to deal with your problem.
When is the best time to contact a building violations lawyer?
Now. You have rights even at the stage when local authority inspectors ask to visit the property or the site. You may well be questioned at this stage, and everything will be documented and may later be used against you. You may be asked to sign various documents, inspectors sometimes have the power to seize your contractor’s equipment, and you may receive a stop-work order. Such an order can be appealed by a lawyer who specialises in planning and construction.
Why act early?
A building violations lawyer is needed before the inspectors pass the material to the municipal prosecutor, who may summon you to a hearing before an indictment is filed. The lawyer will prepare you for the hearing and can attend and represent you. The hearing can change the whole picture and may even lead to no indictment being filed.
Have you been charged with building without a permit?
Whether the violation is in an apartment building or a private house, a planning and construction lawyer will assess your chances, consider your interests in the property and manage the case while protecting those interests as far as possible, up to regularising the construction after the fact.
Regularising building violations after the fact
Note that a building offence is in addition to, and separate from, the offence of using a property contrary to its permit. Many people come to us believing that the only offence they are charged with is the construction itself. We explain that the use is considered an offence that is renewed every moment, and an indictment can be filed for it alone. In most cases there are two counts: building without a permit and use contrary to the permit.
Building without a permit
When it comes to construction without a permit that needs to be regularised, an expert lawyer will review all the investigation material as soon as we take on the case and compare it with the building file at the local authority. At this stage we examine whether the construction can be regularised while ending the indictment with no damage, or with as little damage as possible.
A real estate lawyer specialising in planning and construction
The lawyers of Paz Israel & Co., who specialise in real estate with an emphasis on planning, construction and regularising building violations, have experience before the authorities, such as the Land Registrar, and in the court litigation these cases require, and will accompany you all the way.
Regularising building violations
Our boutique office, with branches in Modi’in, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, has extensive experience in property purchase and sale transactions, commercial agreements, real estate taxation, regularising building violations, representing contractors and real estate claims against contractors. Contact us to arrange a meeting.
Remember: the earlier a building violation case is handled, the better the chances of minimising the damage and even regularising the construction.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a building violation?
Construction or use not in accordance with the building permit: an added room, an enclosed balcony, splitting an apartment or a change of use without a permit.
What are the risks?
Criminal or administrative proceedings, fines and demolition orders, as well as difficulty selling the property, obtaining a mortgage or insuring it.
Can a building violation be legalized?
Sometimes, through a retroactive permit application, if the construction complies with the applicable plan. Where it does not, a plan change or adapting the construction may need to be examined.
What should be checked before buying?
The building file and permits at the local authority, compared with the actual situation. If there are violations, this is the time to price them and set out in the contract who is responsible.