Your Guide to Renting an Apartment in Tel Aviv: Step 2

Steps 4-6

Adapt yourself to your new location

If you are looking to expand your Tel Aviv experience and move into a new area, it’s important to get a feel of the area first; ask around, stroll down its streets, look out for easy access to amenities, public transportation, parking lots and any features that are important to you and your family.

Work with an agent

You can easily get lost in the search of a rental in Tel Aviv. Real estate agents across the city have immediate access to a wide range of up-to-date listings read to be viewed. Find the right agent who understands your needs, one who’s familiar with your preferred area / neighborhood and most importantly one who will get you prompt, high quality results.

I’m assuming you’ll begin your search online. So when you do your search and highlight the best apartments that are relevant to you, make sure to ask the agent ALL necessary questions on the apartment before booking an appointment. You don’t want to end up booking a meeting only to find out it was a complete waste of your (and everyone else’s) time. Although photos will definitely give you a better idea on the apartment, I strongly advise that you do not rely on photos alone. Remember, time is key so make sure to ask as many questions as you can, so you have all the information you need in advance.

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Work with your agent, be as precise and descriptive as possible, ask as many questions as you need and most of all make sure to express your thoughts (!) on each apartment you saw together.

And I’d like to stress this point a little further: if you’re seeing different apartments with multiple agents, even if you saw an apartment that is not to your liking, be honest and share your thoughts about the apartment. Ending the meeting with a casual – “Thank you for your time, I’ll think about it and I’ll get back to you” is simply not good enough. And let’s be honest, we both know that if you were interested, you would’ve taken the time to discuss it further. Let the agent know what you had in mind when initially seeing the apartment online, and why after viewing it, it’s not suitable for you. Perhaps the agent will try to talk you into re-considering by explaining why this apartment is exactly what you need; give him a chance and hear him out, you might never know how things will turn out in the end.

The commission is the money earned by the agent for successfully renting you an apartment. As a rule, expect to pay one month + VAT (17%) once the agreement is sealed and the contract signed.

If you’re coming from overseas

Your agent will help you begin your apartment search which begins with a comprehensive assessment to establish your needs, determine a budget, and set up a timeframe for your search. On average, listed apartments are available to view almost immediately, however if you are planning on a future move-in date, note that apartments that you will be viewing online will most likely not be relevant. It’s good to have an idea, and contacting a few agents to establish an understanding of how things are done here is very important, but don’t bother booking viewings and seeing apartments 6 months’ a head of time, just for the sake of gathering intelligence. There’s a ton of information available online, like this one, to give you an idea, and Craigslist is a great resource offering a selection of apartments to choose from.

If you’re relocating for work and plan on coming to Tel Aviv to sort things out before your move, try to come for at least a full week, as access is limited on weekends. If this is your first time in Tel Aviv, don’t expect to find an apartment immediately. Depending on the season, your budget and specifications, the process might take longer than anticipated, so make sure to give it the proper time you need. Make sure you have all your paperwork, guarantor’s (if necessary) and monies accessible in a bank that is here in Tel Aviv, as Israeli homeowners don’t deal with foreign banks and will not accept foreign checks.

If you’re going to sleep on it, you’re probably not going to sleep in it!

If the apartment is that good, be prepared to act fast. Competition is fierce, and sometimes, thinking about it for 24 hours means there’s a chance of losing the apartment. Spring & Summer are the most competitive seasons for apartments, and apartments turn over much quicker often in a day. So if you found an apartment you want, don’t over think it! Your broker should be able to provide you with all the details up front, so finalizing a decision should be quick and simple.

Next –> The legal process & moving in.