When you buy an apartment in Israel, you’re not just buying the space inside your four walls. You are also buying into a community and a shared responsibility for the building itself. This is managed by the Va’ad HaBayit, which translates to the “House Committee.”

Think of the Va’ad HaBayit as a mini, hyper-local government for your apartment building. It is a committee typically made up of a few volunteer apartment owners who are elected by their neighbors. Their job is to manage all the common areas of the building—the lobby, the elevator, the garden, the roof, and the stairwells.

To pay for the upkeep of these shared spaces, every apartment owner must pay a monthly fee, also known as “Va’ad HaBayit.” These fees cover a range of essential costs:

  • Electricity for lighting in the common areas.

  • Cleaning services for the lobby and stairs.

  • Regular maintenance and servicing for the elevator.

  • Gardening and landscaping.

  • A small fund for minor repairs (like a broken lightbulb in the hallway).

The amount you pay each month depends on the building. In a simple, older building with no elevator, the fees might be very low—perhaps 50-100 shekels per month. In a modern high-rise tower with a fancy lobby, 24/7 security, a gym, and a swimming pool, the fees could be a thousand shekels or more. In this case, the service is often handled by a professional management company (chevrat nihul) instead of volunteers, and the fees are referred to as dmei nihul (management fees).

When you are considering buying an apartment, it is crucial to ask about the amount of the monthly Va’ad HaBayit fees, as this will be a permanent part of your cost of ownership. It is a legal obligation, and failing to pay can result in legal action against you by the other owners.

Too Long; Didn’t Read

  • The Va’ad HaBayit (“House Committee”) is a committee of owners responsible for managing a building’s common areas (lobby, elevator, etc.).

  • All apartment owners must pay a monthly fee to the Va’ad HaBayit to cover shared expenses like cleaning, electricity, and elevator maintenance.

  • The fee amount varies greatly depending on the building’s age and amenities, from very low in simple buildings to very high in luxury towers with pools and gyms.

  • Paying this fee is a legal requirement of apartment ownership in Israel.

Let’s find a home where the fees make sense for the lifestyle you want. DM me at Semerenko Group.

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