Israeli apartment terms explained: mamad, arnona, vaad bayit, Tabu and more

Israeli listings use words and conventions that surprise newcomers. Here are the ones you will meet most often.

Rooms (chadarim)

In Israel, the living room counts as a room. A “4-room apartment” therefore has three bedrooms and a living room. Half rooms (“4.5 rooms”) usually mean a small extra room or study.

Mamad

The reinforced safe room, required in residential buildings built since the early 1990s. It often doubles as a bedroom or office. Older buildings rely on a shared shelter (miklat).

Arnona

The municipal property tax, calculated on the apartment’s size and location. It is usually paid by the occupant, so by the tenant in a rental.

Vaad bayit

The building committee and its monthly fee, which covers cleaning, the lift, the garden and common electricity.

Tabu

The Land Registry. A “Tabu extract” shows who owns the apartment and whether there are mortgages or liens.

Other common words

• Machsan: a storage room, often in the basement.
• Chaniya: a parking space, sometimes registered with the apartment.
• Mirpeset / mirpeset shemesh: a balcony / an open sun terrace.
• Dira chadasha mikablan: a new apartment bought directly from the developer.
• Tama 38 / pinui binui: urban renewal programmes that strengthen or rebuild older buildings.

Now that you speak the language, browse apartments for rent and for sale in Israel, direct from owners.