Getting your deposit back
A guided walkthrough for getting your deposit back at the end of the lease: what may and may not be deducted, the statutory return timeline, and a fill-in-yourself demand letter.
This is not legal advice. DirBalak presents information about renters' rights from the statute — the decision and wording are yours.
This is general guidance from the statute — not an opinion on your specific case. Every case depends on the contract and the facts; for a material question, consult a lawyer.
The timeline and the right to a return
The landlord must return the security (or its balance after any lawful realisation) within 60 days of the later of: the date the apartment was returned, or the date the tenant's debts were settled. Any interest accrued is also returned.
pending legal reviewחוק שכירות הוגנת (התשע״ז-2017) · kolzchut.org.il — פיקדון מזומן כערובה
What may be deducted from the deposit — and what may not
The landlord may realise the security only for: unpaid rent; ancillary charges the tenant owed (municipal tax, water, electricity, gas, building committee); defects the tenant was responsible for and failed to repair (actual repair cost only); or late vacancy in the amounts set in the lease — and only after giving the tenant notice to cure the breach within a reasonable time.
pending legal reviewחוק שכירות הוגנת (התשע״ז-2017) · kolzchut.org.il — פיקדון מזומן כערובה; nevoOrdinary wear and tear is not deductible — it is a natural part of using the apartment, not a defect the tenant is responsible to repair.
pending legal reviewחוק שכירות הוגנת (התשע״ז-2017) · kolzchut.org.il — פיקדון מזומן כערובה
If a detail is unclear in your case, leave it open — better to ask than to assume.
The path — step by step
A demand letter with a deadline — the ready-to-copy letter lives on the deposit page.
The full letter — here →14 days passed since the letter with no reply? Time to step up.
- Deposit not returned? The small-claims kit →
If the demand letter goes unanswered, the small-claims kit walks the next step — where to file, what it costs, and a statement-of-claim draft you fill in yourself.
The demand letter — fill it in and take it
Already prepared the letter on the deposit page? One is enough. If you'd rather do it here — a detailed version with names and dates is below.
Deposit-return demand letter
pending legal reviewFill in the fields and the letter builds itself. It stays on your device only — DirBalak stores and sends nothing.
The letter is still missing details — fill in the marked fields before sending.
After you copy it — send the letter by registered mail (doar rashum) with a delivery confirmation, and keep that receipt. It's proof you gave notice and on what date: it kills the "I never got it" defense and starts the clock the letter sets.
This is not legal advice. DirBalak presents information about renters' rights from the statute — the decision and wording are yours.