Attorney for Tenant in Ramat Gan

Who is a Tenant and Their Legal Rights

A tenant is a person who rents a property from an owner for a fixed or indefinite period, and their housing rights are protected by law in Israel. Under the Tenant Protection Law, 5741-1981 and the Lease Law, tenants are granted important legal rights: the right to remain in the apartment, the right to maintain the property in proper condition, the right to raise claims against the property owner, and the right to protection against arbitrary eviction. However, a property owner may file an eviction claim under certain lawful circumstances, such as non-payment of rent, breach of contract terms, or the owner's need for the property for personal use.

As a tenant, it is important that you understand your rights and obligations to protect yourself at every stage of your tenancy. In many cases, tenants are unaware of the extent of legal protection available to them, which can lead to wrong voluntary decisions or the waiver of legal rights.

Our Office's Expertise in Housing Law

Mandelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co., Attorneys at Law, specializes in real estate and property law since 2008. We represent tenants in Ramat Gan and the central region of Israel in housing claims, protection against unlawful eviction, housing rights claims, and any matter related to your housing rights. Our experience over many years enables us to understand the nuances of housing law in Israel and provide you with legal representation backed by attorneys with deep expertise in the field.

Why You Should Consult a Professional Attorney for Tenant Rights

When facing an eviction claim or housing dispute, the difference between a correct understanding of your rights and a misunderstanding can lead to serious consequences. The property owner may have their own attorney, and without professional legal representation, you may find yourself at a significant disadvantage in court. A professional attorney for tenant rights can:

• Analyze your situation comprehensively — examine the contract, correspondence, the property owner's claims, and all relevant documents to understand your legal position.
• Offer you options and scenarios — from full defense in court, through settlements, to options for cooperation with the property owner.
• Protect your rights at every stage — from filing a response to the claim, through pre-litigation proceedings, and up to court hearings.
• Avoid procedural errors — legal deadlines, filing documents, and responding to the property owner's actions.

Common Housing Disputes and How Our Firm Can Help

Eviction Claim Due to Non-Payment of Rent

One of the most common claims is an eviction suit due to non-payment of rent. The property owner must prove that rent debt exists, and you have the right to defend yourself with arguments such as: payment was made but not properly recorded, a tenant's legal claim against the property owner to perform repairs in the apartment (if the apartment is not suitable for habitation), or the property owner's breach of obligations toward you. Our firm will help you present a strong defense in court.

Eviction Claim Due to Breach of Contract Terms

A property owner may sue for eviction claiming that you have breached the contract terms — for example, bringing in additional tenants without consent, using the apartment for a purpose other than residence, or causing damage to the property. In such cases, it is important to distinguish between a serious breach and a minor breach, and to prove that you did not breach the contract or that the property owner's claim is inaccurate. A professional attorney can examine the contract terms in detail and offer an appropriate defense.

Eviction Claim Due to Property Owner's Need for Personal Use

A property owner may sue for eviction if they need the property for their own use or for use by family members. However, the Tenant Protection Law provides significant protections for tenants: the property owner must prove a genuine need, and the tenant has the right to advance notice (usually six months or one year, depending on the agreement). Additionally, the property owner may be required to pay compensation to the tenant for the eviction. Our firm will examine whether the property owner's need is genuine and offer you defense options.

Claims Regarding Tenant Rights and Performance of Repairs

As a tenant, you have the right to suitable housing. If the apartment suffers from damage, electrical problems, plumbing issues, waterproofing problems, or other issues, you have the right to demand that the property owner perform repairs. If the property owner refuses, you can file a lawsuit in court for the performance of repairs, or perform repairs yourself and deduct the cost from the rent. A professional attorney can help you document the problems and file a legal claim.

Defense Against Unlawful or Arbitrary Eviction

The Tenant Protection Law grants tenants significant protections against unlawful or arbitrary eviction. A property owner cannot evict a tenant simply because they want to raise the rent, or because they want to sell the property. If you believe the eviction claim is unlawful, a professional attorney can help you defend yourself in court.

Our Working Process with Tenant Clients

Stage 1: Initial Consultation at No Cost

When you contact us for the first time, we invite you to an initial consultation at no cost. During this meeting, you tell us about your situation in detail — whether you have received an eviction claim, what are the property owner's allegations, what are the terms of your lease, and what questions you have. We listen carefully and analyze your situation comprehensively.

Stage 2: In-Depth Legal Analysis

Following the initial meeting, we review your lease, the claim (if applicable), all relevant documents, and we analyze your situation according to Israeli housing laws. We examine your legal position, the risks, and your opportunities. This includes verifying the validity of the claim, the evidence the property owner has, and your available defense options.

Stage 3: Presenting Options and Strategy

After our analysis, we present you with several options: full defense in court, negotiation with the property owner, or a settlement agreement. We explain the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and you choose the approach that seems best to you. We respect your choice and act accordingly.

Stage 4: Implementing the Strategy

Once you have chosen your course of action, we implement the strategy: if you chose court defense, we file a response to the claim, we prepare evidence, and we represent you at the hearing. If you chose negotiation, we conduct negotiations with the property owner or with their attorney. We maintain constant contact with you and keep you informed at every stage.

Stage 5: Resolution and Enforcement

Once we have reached a solution — whether it is a court ruling, a settlement, or an agreement — we ensure the implementation of that solution. If enforcement of a legal order is necessary, we assist you with it. We remain available for any questions or issues that may arise in the future.

Our Work Approach: Personal, Professional, and Dedicated

Our firm believes that every client is unique, and every housing case is different. We do not apply a "one-size-fits-all" standard — we examine your situation in detail, we listen to you, and we offer a solution tailored to your needs. We work with complete transparency, we explain each step to you, and we are available for your questions at any time. This has been our approach since 2008.

Tenant Rights Under Law in Israel — What You Need to Know

The Tenant Protection Law, 5741-1981

The Tenant Protection Law is the primary legislation protecting tenant rights in Israel. The law establishes that a property owner cannot evict a tenant arbitrarily or unlawfully. A property owner may evict a tenant only under specific legal circumstances, such as non-payment of rent, substantial breach of contract, or the owner's need for the property for personal use. If a property owner attempts to evict a tenant outside of these circumstances, it is considered unlawful eviction, and the tenant may file a lawsuit against the property owner.

The Tenant's Right to Remain in the Dwelling

A tenant has a fundamental right to remain in a dwelling as long as they pay rent and comply with the terms of the contract. This right is protected by law, and even after the contract expires, the property owner cannot automatically evict the tenant — they must file a lawsuit in court. The Tenant Protection Law stipulates that the tenancy period automatically renews if the tenant pays rent, unless the property owner has provided advance notice of their intention not to renew the contract.

The Right to a Habitable Dwelling

A property owner must maintain the dwelling in a condition fit for habitation. If the dwelling suffers from damage or defects that prevent you from using it reasonably, you have the right to demand that the property owner make repairs. If the property owner refuses to make repairs, you may make repairs yourself and deduct the cost from the rent, or you may file a lawsuit in court for the repairs to be completed. Additionally, if the dwelling is not fit for habitation, you have the right to a reduction in rent.

The Right to Privacy and Protection from Harassment

A property owner cannot harass you, enter the dwelling without advance notice, or use the dwelling in a manner that disturbs you. A property owner must provide advance notice (typically 24 hours) if they wish to enter the dwelling for inspection, repair, or other lawful purpose. If the property owner harasses you, you have the right to file a lawsuit in court or contact the police.

Protection from Eviction Due to Rent Increase

A property owner cannot evict a tenant solely because they wish to increase the rent. If a property owner wants to increase the rent, they must offer the tenant a new agreement under the new terms. If the tenant refuses, the property owner may file an eviction lawsuit, but the court will examine the fairness of the rent increase. If the increase is not fair, the court may dismiss the lawsuit.

Notice Period for Eviction

If a property owner wishes to evict a tenant for a lawful reason (such as personal use), they must provide advance notice. The notice period depends on the contract terms, but is typically six months to one year. If the property owner does not provide advance notice, the tenant may remain in the dwelling until the notice period expires.

Why Choose Mendelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. for Tenant Representation in Ramat Gan

18 Years of Experience in Real Estate and Housing Law

Our firm was founded in 2008 by Attorney Karen Mendelbaum and specializes in real estate, property, and housing rights law since its inception. We have built a strong reputation in the field, and today we represent tenant resisters, real estate buyers and sellers, apartment owners in urban renewal projects, and contractors and developers in Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, and the central region. Our extensive experience over many years enables us to understand the nuances of Israeli housing law and provide you with legal representation backed by attorneys with deep expertise in the field.

Representation of Plaintiffs Only in Tort Law — Commitment to Tenants

At our firm, we represent plaintiffs only in tort law — we do not represent property owners or insurance companies. This means we are committed to tenant resisters, not to anything else. We will not need to consider the interests of a property owner or another institution — we are entirely focused on protecting your rights. This has been our approach since 2008.

Personal and Dedicated Attention

Our firm is a boutique family office, not a large firm. This means you will not be just "a case number" — you will be a person we know, whom we personally care for, and to whom we are committed to achieving the best outcome. We dedicate time to every client, we listen to your questions, and we stand by you at every stage of the proceedings. This has been our approach since 2008.

First Consultation at No Cost

We offer a free initial consultation — you can meet with us, discuss your situation, and receive legal advice without paying anything. In this meeting, we examine your situation in detail, we analyze the claim (if one exists), and we present you with options. This is without any commitment from you — you can choose to work with us or not. We believe that everyone has the right to good legal advice, even if they cannot afford an attorney immediately.

Located in South Ramat Gan

Our office is located in Ramat Gan, in the southern part of the city, in a convenient and accessible location. We also offer meetings in Petah Tikva (Yoni Netanyahu 8) if that is more convenient for you. You can schedule a meeting by phone or email, and we will do everything we can to accommodate your schedule.