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 is 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 send 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.