Rental Contract Guide & Template
A well-written rental contract protects both landlord and tenant. This guide explains the essential clauses every residential lease in Israel should include, and what to check before you sign.
The Parties Clause
Full legal names, ID numbers and addresses of both landlord and tenant. Verify the landlord is the registered owner of the property (check the Land Registry / Tabu).
Property Description
The property must be precisely described: address, floor, apartment number, approximate area, number of rooms, and whether parking/storage is included. If it was agreed verbally, it must be in writing.
Lease Term
State the move-in date and the end date. If there is an option to extend, the notice period and any rent change must be spelled out explicitly.
Rent & Payment Terms
Monthly rent amount, payment due date, accepted payment method, and late-payment interest. Check whether rent is linked to the CPI index.
Deposit & Guarantees
Deposit amount (typically 1–2 months' rent), return conditions and timeline. If guarantors are required they must sign the contract. Confirm the deposit is protected from debt-collection proceedings. For residential leases with monthly rent up to about ₪20,000, the 2017 amendment to the Tenant Protection Law sets a legal cap on the guarantee amount: the lower of one-third of the total rent for the lease period, or 3 months' rent. The guarantee must be returned to the tenant within 60 days of the lease ending, and the landlord may only draw on it after giving prior written notice (per Kol-Zchut).
Maintenance & Repairs
Who is responsible for which repairs? Common convention: minor routine repairs up to an agreed amount fall on the tenant; structural repairs on the landlord. Include a reporting obligation (e.g. within 7 days of discovering a fault). By law, the landlord must repair defects within a reasonable time, and no later than 30 days; if the defect makes the apartment uninhabitable, within 3 days. A tenant also cannot be charged the broker's fee when the broker acted on behalf of the landlord.
Termination
Early-termination conditions, required notice period, and what happens to the deposit. An arbitration clause is preferable to court — check whether one is included.
What to Check Before Signing
Verify the landlord's identity matches the Land Registry record; confirm all verbal agreements are written in; check that home insurance (contents/structure) is addressed; define how utility meters (electricity, water, municipal tax) are transferred.
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Parties
9 digits
9 digits
Property
Term
Rent
Deposit & guarantee
9 digits
Maintenance
Termination
General
חוזה שכירות למגורים
1. Parties
Landlord: , ID , of ("the Landlord"). Tenant: , ID , of ("the Tenant").
2. Property
The apartment at , , floor , apartment no. ("the Apartment"). Area approx. sqm, rooms, bathrooms. Parking: . The apartment is let "as is" unless stated otherwise in an appendix.
3. Lease Term
The lease starts on and ends on , a term of months. Any extension requires the written consent of both parties.
4. Rent
Monthly rent: ₪ (in words: ). Payment is due by the 1 of each month, via . Indexation: No indexation. Late payment incurs statutory default interest.
5. Deposit
The Tenant shall pay a deposit of ₪ upon signing. The deposit is returned within 30 days of the lease end, less damage beyond reasonable wear.
6. Guarantee
To secure the Tenant's obligations, a guarantor shall sign: , ID , on the guarantee attached to this contract.
7. Maintenance & Repairs
Routine repairs up to ₪300 each fall on the Tenant; beyond that on the Landlord, unless caused by the Tenant. The Tenant shall report any fault within 7 days. Alterations require the Landlord's prior written consent.
10. Termination
Either party may terminate this contract early with 60 days' prior written notice. A fundamental breach entitles the aggrieved party to immediate written cancellation. On termination the Tenant shall return the apartment clean and vacant, save reasonable wear, and return all keys.
11. General
This contract embodies the entire agreement and supersedes any prior understanding. Any addition shall be in writing and signed by both parties. Exclusive jurisdiction: the courts of .
Signatures
Landlord: ______________ Date: __________ Tenant: ______________ Date: __________
Sample template only — not legal advice. Consult a lawyer before signing.
Sources
Sample template only — does not constitute legal advice. We recommend consulting a lawyer before signing any contract.