Tenant Left a Debt? How to Claim Unpaid Rent, Bills and Damages

A claim for eviction of rented premises can seek only the eviction itself. Israeli law separates the two so that eviction proceedings can move quickly, without waiting for every financial dispute to be resolved. The debt must be claimed in separate proceedings, which can be filed alongside the eviction claim without special permission from the court.

• Unpaid rent, plus indexation and interest under the lease.


• Reasonable compensation for use and occupation for the period the tenant remained after the lease ended, or agreed damages if stipulated in the lease.


• Ongoing charges payable by the tenant: municipal property tax (arnona), electricity, water, gas and building committee fees.


• Damage to the apartment beyond reasonable wear and tear, supported by an expert opinion or repair quotes.


• Expenses incurred because of the breach, such as court costs and legal fees.

The choice depends mainly on the size of the debt and who is bringing the claim:

• Claim amount: up to 39,900 ₪ (as of 2026, updated annually) · above the small claims limit


• Representation: generally without lawyers · representation by a lawyer is standard and recommended


• Who can file: private individuals only; companies cannot file · any claimant, including a company


• Court fee: one percent of the claim amount, subject to a fixed minimum · in accordance with the court fee regulations


• Key advantage: a simple, relatively inexpensive and quick process · suitable for larger debts and complex cases

If the tenant signed a promissory note, you may sometimes be able to bypass court and submit the note directly for enforcement through the Enforcement and Collection Office (Hotza’a LaPoal), for an amount justified by the debt and subject to the statutory rules for realizing security. The tenant may file an objection, in which case the matter moves to court, but in many cases the note significantly shortens the process.

Guarantors who signed the lease or the note are liable for the debt alongside the tenant and can be included in the claim. When the tenant lacks the means to pay, guarantors are sometimes the practical source of recovery. This is exactly why screening guarantors before signing is just as important as screening the tenant.

A well-supported claim is resolved more quickly and often leads to a settlement before the hearing. Before filing, gather:

• The lease and all appendices, including the guarantee and promissory note.


• Payment records – bank statements, dishonored checks and a table showing what has and has not been paid.


• Ongoing bills – municipal property tax, electricity, water and building committee fees for the tenancy period.


• Handover reports and photos – the apartment’s condition at move-in and move-out.


• Quotes or receipts for repairing the damage.


• Correspondence – formal demand letters, WhatsApp messages and emails in which the tenant acknowledges the debt or requests more time to pay.

Not every debt needs to result in a judgment. A tenant who acknowledges the debt and offers to pay in installments can save you time and expense. The rule is to agree only in writing: an agreement specifying the debt amount, payment dates, what happens if a payment is missed, and preferably security for payment, such as postdated checks or a guarantor. You can also submit the agreement to the court to have it given the force of a judgment, allowing you to proceed directly to enforcement if the tenant breaches it.

• Calculate the debt – prepare an itemized breakdown, deducting any amounts recovered from the security provided.


• Send a demand letter – make a final written demand with a payment deadline. Some tenants pay or propose a settlement at this stage.


• File the claim – in the appropriate court, with all documents and supporting evidence.


• Hearing and judgment – usually in a single hearing in Small Claims Court; in the Magistrate’s Court, this depends on the type of proceedings.


• Enforcement and collection – if the debtor does not pay voluntarily, open an enforcement file to collect the judgment debt.

A monetary judgment is only a document until payment is recovered. If the tenant does not pay, you can open a file with the Enforcement and Collection Office, where tools include attachment of bank accounts and wages, seizure of property, restrictions on the debtor, and an application for an installment payment order. Collection is not always quick, especially when the debtor has no assets. That is why the security and guarantors arranged at the start of the tenancy make the difference.

The limitation period for civil claims is generally seven years. However, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to locate the tenant, evidence is lost, and the chances of recovery decline. The practical rule: act as soon as the debt is clear.

• Preparing a clear debt calculation and realizing security in accordance with the law.


• Sending demand letters and negotiating settlements.


• Filing the claim in the appropriate court, with support from the legal team we work with.


• Pursuing enforcement and collection against the tenant and guarantors.


• And from the outset: screening tenants and guarantors and monitoring payments monthly to prevent debts from reaching this scale.

The information in this article is general and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and you should consult a lawyer before taking action.