The Survivor's Guide to Israeli Utilities and

Bureaucracy

Moving into a new apartment in Israel? Congratulations! Now brace yourself for one of the country's greatest challenges: setting up utilities. Israeli bureaucracy has a well-earned reputation for complexity, but with the right preparation and expectations, you can navigate it successfully.

Before You Start: Essential Documents

Have these ready before contacting any utility company:

ï           **Teudat Zehut (ID card) **or passport

ï           **Rental contract **(Hozeh Schirut) with your name and address

ï           **Previous tenant's details **(name and ID number if possible)

ï           **Bank account details **for direct debit (Hora'at Keva)

ï           Property owner's contact information

Pro tip: Make multiple copies of everything. Israeli offices love paperwork.

The Big Five: Essential Utilities

1.  Electricity (Chashmal - חשמל)

**Who handles it: **Historically the Israel Electric Corporation (Hevrat Hashmal), but private companies are gradually taking over in different regions.

How to transfer:

ï           Call the company serving your area or visit their office

ï           Provide your rental contract and ID

ï           Request a meter reading on your move-in date

ï           The previous tenant should request a final reading on their move-out date

**Timeline: **Can be done immediately, but schedule meter readings in advance.

**Cost: **Connection fee around ₪50-100, plus monthly usage. Expect ₪200-500+ monthly depending on usage, air conditioning, and season.

**Watch out for: **Make sure the previous tenant's final bill is settled. Their debt can sometimes follow the apartment, not the person.

2.  Water (Mayim - מים)

**Who handles it: **Your local municipality or municipal water company.

How to transfer:

ï           Contact your city's water department (varies by municipality)

ï           Some cities require coordination with your building's vaad habayit (building committee)

ï           Provide rental contract and ID

**Timeline: **1-2 weeks in most cases.

**Cost: **Connection/transfer fee ₪50-150, monthly bills typically ₪50-200 depending on usage. Billed every two months in many municipalities.

**Watch out for: **Water billing is often combined with arnona in some cities, separate in others. Ask which applies to you.

3. Arnona (Municipal Tax - ארנונה)

**Who handles it: **Your city municipality (Iriya).

**What it is: **Property tax paid by residents (not always the owner). As a renter, check your contract to see if you or the landlord pays.

How to register:

ï           Visit your city's arnona office or use their online portal

ï           Bring rental contract, ID, and sometimes a letter from the landlord

ï           Fill out transfer forms

**Timeline: **Do this within 30 days of moving in to avoid fines.

**Cost: **Varies dramatically by city and apartment size. Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other major cities are expensive (₪300-800+ monthly). Smaller cities are cheaper.

**Watch out for: **Arnona offices have notoriously limited hours. Go early in the morning or book online appointments when available.

4.  Internet, TV, and Landline

Main providers:

ï           Bezeq (the old monopoly, reliable infrastructure)

ï           Hot (cable company, internet + TV packages)

ï           Partner

ï           Cellcom

How to set up:

ï           Call provider or visit their store

ï           They'll try to sell you bundles (internet + TV + phone)

ï           Schedule installation appointment

**Timeline: **1-4 weeks for installation. Can be longer in new buildings.

**Cost: **₪80-200+ monthly depending on speed and package. Most require 12-36 month contracts.

Watch out for:

ï           Installation appointments are notoriously imprecise ("between 8 AM and 6 PM")

ï           Breaking contracts early incurs heavy penalties

ï           Promotional prices expire after the first year

ï           Check if your building has fiber optic infrastructure

5.  Gas (Gaz - גז)

Two types:

ï           **Piped gas (Gaz Tivi): **Natural gas through pipes, common in newer buildings

ï           **Balloon gas (Balon Gaz): **Propane tanks for older apartments

For piped gas:

ï           Usually handled through the building's management company

ï           May need to open an account with the regional gas company

For balloon gas:

ï           Order from local gas suppliers (Amram Gas, Supergas, etc.)

ï           They deliver tanks to your building

ï           Cost: ₪80-120 per tank, lasts 2-3 months typically

**Watch out for: **Make sure you know which type your apartment has before you move in.

The Wild Cards

Building Management (Vaad Habayit - הבית ועד)

Not technically a utility, but you'll need to pay monthly building fees (Dimei Nihul) for maintenance, cleaning, and shared utilities. Contact your building's vaad or property manager.

**Cost: **₪100-500+ monthly depending on building size and amenities.

TV License (Agrat Televizia)

Technically still exists but rarely enforced. If you have a TV, you're supposed to pay an annual fee (around ₪350) to the Second Authority for Television and Radio. Most people ignore this.

Survival Tips for Israeli Bureaucracy

**1.  Everything takes longer than expected **Add two weeks to any timeline you're given. Installation appointments will be rescheduled. Documents will need to be resubmitted.

**2.  Go in person when possible **Phone customer service can involve hour-long waits. Physical offices often move faster, especially for complex issues.

**3.  Get confirmation numbers **For every call, every request, every payment. Write down the representative's name and the date.

**4.  Speak Hebrew or bring someone who does **While many representatives speak English, having Hebrew skills (or a Hebrew-speaking friend) will make everything smoother.

**5.  Friday is a lost day **Most offices close early Friday and all day Saturday. Plan accordingly.

**6.  Keep all previous bills **If disputes arise about previous tenant charges, you'll need proof of what you inherited.

**7.  Set up direct debit (Hora'at Keva) **Saves you from monthly bill-paying hassles and late fees.

**8.  Join local Facebook groups **Neighborhoods often have active groups where people share utility company contact info, complaint strategies, and moral support.

Common Problems and Solutions

**Problem: **Bills in previous tenant's name keep arriving. **Solution: **Keep proof that you requested the transfer. Forward bills to the previous tenant if you have their contact info. Document everything.

**Problem: **Deposits being charged multiple times. **Solution: **Israeli utility companies often require deposits (₪100-500). Track these carefully and demand refunds when closing accounts.

**Problem: **Installation appointments that never happen. **Solution: **Confirm 24 hours before. If they don't show, call immediately to reschedule and complain. Document no-shows for potential bill disputes.

**Problem: **Customer service representatives giving contradictory information. **Solution: **Get everything in writing via email or fax. Yes, fax still exists in Israeli bureaucracy.

Timeline Checklist for New Apartments

2-3 weeks before move-in:

ï           Schedule electricity meter reading

ï           Research internet providers and check building infrastructure

Move-in week:

ï           Transfer electricity (on move-in day if possible)

ï           Start water transfer process

ï           Register for arnona within 30 days

ï           Contact building vaad habayit

ï           Schedule internet installation

First month:

ï           Confirm all utilities are in your name

ï           Set up direct debit for regular payments

ï           Keep all confirmation numbers and receipts

Final Thoughts

Israeli utility bureaucracy is frustrating, but you're not alone. Every Israeli and every expat has their horror stories. The system is slowly improving with more online services and English support, but patience remains your most valuable asset.

Remember: this is a country where "regelach" (little legs) is a verb meaning to run around to different offices getting things done. Embrace it as part of the Israeli experience, and don't forget to reward yourself with good coffee and rugelach (the pastry, not the bureaucracy) when you're finally done.

**Protip: **Once everything is set up, store all your customer numbers, account numbers, and direct contacts in one place. You'll thank yourself when it's time to move again.

Good luck, and may your installation appointments actually happen on the scheduled day.

Updated on: 02/02/2026