Va’ad Bayit for 50 Shekels a Month: New Pilot Could Help Buildings Across Israel

Givatayim Municipality and the Housing Management Association have launched Israel’s first pilot of appointed building committees (va’ad bayit) — external building managers who receive full authority to manage buildings without an active tenants’ board, at a relatively low cost. Six buildings in Givatayim have already joined, and the model is expected to expand to additional cities.

By Dror Nir Castel, Nadlan Center

Givatayim Municipality and the Housing Management Association introduced last week a new program for managing jointly owned residential buildings through the association. According to the municipality, they have received numerous inquiries from apartment buildings across the country struggling to manage their shared property due to resigning committees, poor administration, and collection difficulties. As a result, the Housing Management Association initiated Israel’s first pilot of appointed building committees — external building managers trained by the association and granted full authority to run buildings without an active va’ad bayit (tenants’ committee). The cost for residents: just 50 shekels per apartment per month, compared to the 100–300 shekel condo fees typical in older buildings.

The pilot began in six buildings in the city, located on Shenkin Street, Simmat Nahal, Eilat Street, Weizmann Street, and HaShnayim Street, which have now transitioned to organized external management — a solution for small buildings that cannot afford private management companies. According to the municipality, additional cities are interested in adopting the model, and Rishon LeZion has already announced it will implement a similar plan. The model is already operating in these buildings.

Givatayim Mayor Ran Kunik explained that the municipality sought a real solution for residents living in buildings left without proper management. “Our initiative is meant to provide professional, accessible, and affordable service that prevents neglect and preserves residents’ quality of life over time. Instead of relying on neighbors’ goodwill or volunteerism, we created a stable, structured model that restores responsibility and organized administration to small buildings. This initiative could change the way buildings are managed across the country and provide a solution to a nationwide problem that grows worse each year.”

Jackie Ashkenazi, Director of the Housing Culture Association’s Givatayim branch, said: “We identified buildings that had gone months without a tenants’ board or any management framework. Together with the Association’s CEO, Reuven Tzadok, and Adv. Avi Anatabi, we launched a joint effort with Givatayim Municipality to provide them with an immediate, professional solution. So far, six buildings have joined, and our goal is to expand the model and integrate additional buildings in the city.”