Rental Law — Tenant Rights in Israel
Documenting Apartment Condition
at Move-In and Move-Out
Preventing disputes over the security deposit starts on the day you receive the keys. Learn the correct protocols for documenting apartment condition in Israel — and what to do when things go wrong.
Move-In Protocol — Protecting Yourself as Tenant
The moment you receive the keys is the most important moment of the entire tenancy from a legal standpoint. What you document on day one determines what can and cannot be attributed to you when you leave. Taking this step seriously costs an hour; skipping it can cost you your entire deposit.
Timestamped photographs and video — walk through every room and film continuously, narrating what you see. Open cupboards, film under sinks, show the condition of each wall, floor, window, and appliance. Photograph the date on your phone screen at the start of the recording. Upload everything to cloud storage immediately so the timestamp is independently verifiable.
Written inventory document (מסמך מסירה) — prepare a room-by-room written list of existing defects: cracks, stains, non-functioning fixtures, scratches, missing items, and the general condition of each appliance. Note the make, model, and visible condition of every appliance included in the tenancy.
Getting the landlord to sign — ask the landlord (or their representative) to sign the inventory document at handover. If they decline, send the list to them by email or WhatsApp immediately afterwards and ask them to confirm or correct it. Keep a record of their response — or their silence.
Noting existing damage — any damage already present must be recorded explicitly. Do not assume the landlord will remember. If a wall has a crack, a door has a broken handle, or a window does not close properly, write it down. These are the items most likely to be disputed at the end of the tenancy.
Utilities meter readings — photograph the electricity, water, and gas meters on move-in day and send the readings to the landlord in writing. This prevents any later dispute about consumption during the period before you occupied the apartment.
Move-Out Protocol and What Normal Wear and Tear Means
When your tenancy ends, you are required to return the apartment in essentially the same condition as when you received it — but Israeli law allows for normal wear and tear. Understanding the boundary between the two is critical to knowing whether a deduction from your deposit is legitimate.
Normal wear and tear includes: paint that has faded or lost its sheen after one or more years of occupancy; minor scuff marks on skirting boards and door frames; small nail holes used to hang pictures (if reasonable in number); gradual wear of carpet pile; slight discolouration of grouting over time; and age-related deterioration of appliances that were already old at move-in.
Damage beyond normal wear includes: holes in walls larger than a small nail hole; deep scratches or gouges in floors or surfaces; stains from liquids, food, or paint that were not present at move-in; broken fixtures, locks, windows, or tiles; burn marks; mould resulting from inadequate ventilation or leaving wet items; and any damage caused by negligence or misuse of appliances.
Getting the landlord to sign the move-out document — conduct the move-out inspection together with the landlord if at all possible. Walk through the apartment together, compare the condition with the move-in inventory, and reach written agreement on what — if anything — constitutes damage beyond normal wear. A signed move-out document is the cleanest way to conclude the tenancy.
Timeline for deposit return — 60 days — the landlord has 60 days from the end of the tenancy to return the security deposit, minus any legitimate deductions. Any deduction must be supported by an itemised account and, where relevant, receipts or quotes for repair work. If the deposit is not returned within 60 days or you dispute the deductions, you may bring a claim in the Magistrates' Court. Adv. Liron Elmaliach represents tenants in security deposit disputes throughout Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions — Apartment Condition in Israeli Tenancy
Common questions about move-in and move-out documentation and security deposit disputes
Dispute About Your Apartment Condition?
Free Initial Consultation — Tenant Rights in Israel
Adv. Liron Elmaliach — Rental Law, Jerusalem