Globes, Guy Nardi, 02.06.2020

The Corona crisis has created a shock in the rental market in Israel, revealing the vulnerability of renters, self-employed or salaried employees who lost their livelihoods and lost their livelihoods. The crisis is particularly severe in the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa , where the renters account for about 50% of households.

This results in a multiplicity of legal disputes, rental delays and eviction claims. Today it was announced that the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality, in collaboration with the Bar, is setting up a mediation center for renters and renters. The center will provide mediation and dispute resolution services by expert attorneys. Services will be provided free of charge at the young centers across the city.

Ohad Mizrahi, who, together with Daphne Leaf and other partners, founded the "Tenants Committee," says that the tenant sector is in constant distress: "In general and during the Corona period in particular, the sense of uncertainty of the tenants intensified. The most basic thing, where they put their heads At the end of the day, it has become uncertain, there is no market oversight, no discourse on the quality of the properties, a homeowner can raise the rent whenever he wants.

"When our sources of income were hit, the uncertainty intensified greatly. The question is where do we put our heads.

What are your expectations?

"In general, the possibilities to benefit from the situation of tenants are very diverse. They can be reflected in the freeze of a mortgage, a subsidy from the government, financial and legal support. All these wonderful possibilities do not exist when the government does not treat a third of the public in the State of Israel. "

It should be noted that, elsewhere in March, significant moves were initiated by state and city authorities to facilitate and protect the renters' sector. For example, California Governor Gavin Newsem issued a 60-day moratorium on mortgage repayment of residential property repayments. New York Governor Andrew Como announced a 90-day mortgage repayment waiver for residential purposes And businesses, and to private mortgage payers.

In England, decisions have been taken that prohibit the eviction of commercial business owners who will not be able to pay the rent and also that a landlord or tenant for residential purposes will not be able to evict the tenant for a period of three months. Authorities have also banned the conditions from the landlords.

Ron Huldai, the mayor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, said: "In the midst of the Corona crisis, I called on the Israeli government to create a safety net for renters before thousands found themselves on the street - but unfortunately, my call was unanswered. I hope the mediation center will help at least some of these residents succeed. The coming period, with the consent and solidarity of the homeowners. "

Adv. Avi Haimi, head of the Bar Association: "During this ongoing health and economic crisis, which has seriously damaged all parts of the population of the State of Israel, it is appropriate and encouraged to take an active part in efforts to prevent social chaos that may cause thousands of renters and families to find themselves homeless. The attorneys, and I, as the co-chair and local attorney and Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Council Attorney Lior Shapira, would be happy to provide our services to tenants and renters and work together with the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality to find an appropriate and fair solution to the crisis. "