Renting an apartment in Israel, with peace of mind

The steps, in order

1. 1

   Work out the real budget

   On top of rent come arnona (municipal tax, paid by the tenant), vaad bayit (building fees), water, electricity and gas.

   Rents by city
2. 2

   Search and message the owner

   On Yad le Yad you write directly to the owner from the listing, with no agency. The Translate button helps if the listing is in Hebrew.

   See rentals
3. 3

   Visit and check

   Ask who the owner is (a Tabu extract confirms it), check the condition, the safe room (mamad) and take dated photos at move-in.

4. 4

   Sign a written lease

   The 2017 Fair Rental Law requires a home in good condition and caps the security at the lower of 3 months’ rent or a third of the rent for the period. Have the lease reviewed if needed.

   Find a lawyer
5. 5

   Put the accounts in your name

   Arnona at the city hall, electricity, water and gas: transfer them to your name on move-in, with meter readings.

6. 6

   Move in

   Movers, move-in cleaning, contents insurance: find these professionals on Yad le Yad.

   Find movers

These guides give general pointers. For your specific situation, get advice from a lawyer or qualified professional.