Lease Guarantors in Israel - Why, How to Pick, How to Word It
A guarantor is one of the most common security mechanisms in Israeli leases. Unlike a deposit, which is capped by what the tenant could afford, a guarantor can commit to much larger amounts - which is exactly why landlords ask for one. Here is what it means in practice.
What a guarantor is actually liable for
The guarantor signs the contract and commits to cover any unpaid rent, damages, or late-vacancy costs the tenant fails to pay. Liability can be capped (e.g., 'up to ₪30,000') or unlimited. Most Israeli leases use a capped amount.
Regular vs. replacement guarantor
A regular guarantor is secondary: the landlord must first pursue the tenant, prove non-payment, and only then turn to the guarantor. This takes time and often a legal process.
Depending on the wording of the guarantee, a replacement guarantor (ערב חליפי) may allow the landlord to pursue the guarantor directly without first exhausting proceedings against the tenant. This is the structure many landlords prefer. In our tool, ticking 'replacement guarantor' in step 3 updates the clause wording automatically.
What to ask the guarantor for
ID and address.
Last three pay slips, or a CPA letter if self-employed.
Employment letter or contract.
Optional: title deed for property they own - strengthens the guarantee but not required.
When one guarantor is enough vs. two
For lower rent (up to ~₪5,000), one guarantor with solid finances is enough. Higher rents - Tel Aviv, Ramat Hasharon, Herzliya - typically require two. Our tool lets you set this in step 3, and the clause wording adapts.
Drafting the clause
Don't draft the guarantor clause yourself. The wording matters for enforcement. Use our tool to generate the right wording based on your settings, or consult a lawyer.