MORE RESOURCES : Glossary of Terms - Mortgage Insurance - What is it?

Useful tips on renting an apartment in Israel:

1. Fair rental price: Try and do some market research and ascertain that you are paying current market prices and are not being over-charged. This summer there is going to be a shortage of good rental properties in Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph, so according to the laws of supply and demand, prices will go up.

2. Payment of rent: It's a good idea not to give more than 3 or 4 month's rent at a time, and in the event that you give post-dated checks up front, try and retain the last check, or have it held by a mutually agreed-upon third party, that way if anything needs to be fixed and the landlord doesn't attend to it, (and if the contract allows for it), you can deduct it from the final month's rent. Are you paying in dollars, shekels, or is it dollars and linked to the exchange rate (and has to be calculated monthly)?

3. Everything working on getting possession: Make sure you, or a representative inspects the apartment before signing and you or they must make sure that everything REALLY works i.e. hot water systems, a/c if there is, trissim (shutters) and door locks. If you are renting a brand new property, you might want additional protection in your contract in the event that the contractor doesn't come back to fix the problem within a reasonable amount of time.

4. Rental contracts: Although a landlord should provide his own contract (it may only be the standard 1 shekel contract from a stationary store), it's worth your while to hire an advocate to have a look at the contract to make sure your rights are protected. Some advocates only charge half of one month's rent (* Adv. Ari Volk, Volk_law@netvision.net.il)

5. Who is responsible for wear and tear on the apartment? Is the apartment freshly painted, and does the landlord expect you to repaint it after you vacate and to what quality? These are things that need to be clarified and determined.

6. What is included with the property? Is there a machsan (store room) and parking (covered or uncovered) belonging to the apartment, and are they available upon signing? Someone should inspect the property to make sure that what you are getting is really available.

7. Property insurance – you might want to know if the landlord has building insurance damage (against earthquake, fire or water damage). You will have to take out your own insurance for your belongings, if you want them covered. Some landlords require the tenant to take out third party insurance (but this is very rare).

8. Va'ad bayit & Arnona charges: The va'ad bayit charge may only be 50 NIS/month in a terraced apartment, and can be at least 120 NIS in a building with an elevator. Va'ad bayit covers joint electricity, cleaning (once or twice/week) and sometimes gardening expenses. Arnona is calculated per square meter – and is different in different parts of Beit Shemesh and RBS. If the machsan is not included in the apartment, then you should not be paying the arnona on the machsan (it's usually included in the bi-monthly arnona bill).

If you would like assistance finding a quality home in Ramat Beit Shemesh, please feel free to contact I-deal Homes Israel, and one of our agents will be happy to assist you.

I-deal Homes Israel: A full resource for Israel Realty: 9722-9999-456 / 972-547-933-307 / Office@I-dealhomes.net