Renters – Know Your Rights If Your Apartment Was Damaged During the War

If you’re renting an apartment that sustained damage as a result of the war, it’s important to know that you have rights, including eligibility for compensation and alternative housing.

Compensation for Damaged Personal Property

As a tenant, you are entitled to compensation for any of your personal belongings that were damaged in the apartment.
This includes:

• Furniture
• Clothing
• Electrical appliances
• Other personal items

❗ Not included in the compensation: cash, jewelry, and artwork.

Please note that compensation is capped according to the number of family members living in the household.

Alternative Housing – If the Apartment Is No Longer Habitable

If the apartment is declared unfit for living, you may be eligible for short- or long-term alternative housing options, depending on your situation.

Short-Term Solutions

• Hotel or guest apartment stay – arranged and funded by the local authority through the Compensation Fund.
• Self-arranged evacuation – if you stay with relatives or friends, you are eligible for a ₪4,000 compensation payment.

Long-Term Solutions

• Rental of an alternative apartment – If you sign a lease on another apartment and submit the contract, the Compensation Fund will cover the rent.
• Extended hotel stay – only with approval from both the local authority and the Compensation Fund.
• Self-arranged housing – you may receive compensation based on the rent you paid for the original apartment, as stated in your rental contract.

📌 Important: Compensation is provided only if you continue paying rent to the landlord of the damaged apartment.

Duration of Compensation

You will continue receiving support until the property is deemed suitable for living. This decision is made solely by the official appraiser of the Compensation Fund.

Additional Support – Moving and Brokerage Costs

If you move to a new rental apartment, you may also be eligible for reimbursement of moving and brokerage costs, upon presentation of invoices.

How to Submit a Compensation Request

To apply for compensation, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Tax Authority’s website and submit an online request via the inquiry system
2. Select:

• Main topic: Hostile Operations Compensation Fund
• Secondary topic: Direct Damage – Rising Lion

3. Attach all required documentation, depending on your case:

If You Moved to an Alternative Apartment

• Rental contract for the new apartment
• Rental contract for the damaged apartment
• A declaration confirming continued rent payment to the landlord, including the lease end date

If You Evacuated Independently

• Contract for the damaged apartment
• A declaration confirming continued rent payment and lease end date

Need Assistance?

New immigrants can receive help with form submission through the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration’s Information Center:
📞 Dial *2994

For additional questions, contact the Tax Authority’s National Center at: *4954, extension 3

Please Note

This article provides general guidance and does not serve as a legal reference. For complete legal details, refer to the official publications and consult with an expert if needed.