Renting an apartment in Israel: what to expect

Israeli rental listings count rooms, not bedrooms, and the living room counts. A "3 room" apartment usually means two bedrooms. Standard leases run twelve months with an option year. Landlords commonly ask for post-dated cheques, a bank guarantee, or personal guarantors who are Israeli citizens. Agent fees, where an agent is involved, are typically one month plus VAT. Read the contract before signing, even if it is in Hebrew. Check who pays arnona (municipal tax), vaad bayit (building fees), and what happens if the boiler fails.