Finding an Apartment in Israel
See Also: Housing
There are a few effective ways of finding apartments in Israel. Depending on the area or neighborhood in which you wish to look, some methods may work better than others.
Because prices are on the rise, good deals are not as common as they once were. That being said, expect any good deal on an apartment to be taken within a week of its listing.
The key to finding and renting an apartment in Isreal is speed. Even if you find 100 apartments that suit your needs, if you are not quick, you may lose it in a few hours.
Tips and Considerations:
- Visit the neighborhood, not just the apartment
- Take note of the noise level during both the day and night
- Look for signs of water damage such as visible mold, or musky smells
- Gardens increase the value of a property
- Note the level of accessibility (floor level, etc.)
- When renting, take pictures of pre-existing problems, such as wall cracks, broken fixtures, etc. Make sure the contract states clearly who is responsible for repairs of the apartment and of the building.
- Determining an apartment's size in meters:
Bruto, total size including porches, walls, elevator space, etc.
Netto, the actual living area available to you.
What to ask previous tenants:
- What is the amount of Arnona (municipal tax) to be paid? (what is Arnona? click here)
- How much do you pay on average for utilities such as electricity?
- How much is the monthly Vaad Bayit (building maintenance) fee?
- Are you leaving because of a problem with the landlord or apartment?
Methods for searching
| Realtors |
Realtors generally charge one month's rent for finding rental property and a percentage of the cost of property if purchased. Like many professionals in Israel, Realtors are sometimes willing to negotiate their fees.
Keep in mind that if you work with more than one Realtor, avoid seeing the same property with two different agents. If you decide to take that place, you will need to pay Realtors' fees to both agents.
Agents: |
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| Apartment Listings |
There are services on the internet which provide computerized apartment listings. Some lists require you to pay a fee.
Lists |
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| Newspapers |
| Tuesdays and Fridays are preferred advertising days. The Hebrew newspapers may have more ads than the English newspapers. |
| Word of Mouth |
| One of the best information sources. Taking a walk through a neighborhood looking at signs on polls, and speaking with local residents or shop owners may yield good results. This gives you a chance to get a feel for the neighborhood and experience its residents. |
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