Most apartments in Israel are rented empty. Not partially furnished, not with the basics left behind — empty. The landlord takes everything, or there was never anything to begin with. If you are moving to Israel from abroad and your shipping container is still floating somewhere in the Mediterranean, or you have not sorted a container at all yet, that leaves you staring at bare floors wondering how to handle the basics.
The good news is that furniture rental is genuinely available in Israel. It is not as formalized as it is in some other countries, but the options are real and the market is established enough that newcomers can find workable solutions without too much trouble.
Why this keeps coming up for new arrivals
Moving to Israel — whether as an oleh (new immigrant), on a work contract, or a multi-year expat assignment — almost always involves a gap. There is a period between when you arrive and when your furniture either ships over or you get settled enough to commit to buying things properly. In some countries you can bridge that gap with a furnished sublet. In Israel, furnished apartments exist but they are far less common than in the US or UK, and they tend to carry a noticeable premium over unfurnished equivalents.
So renting furniture, or buying secondhand, fills that gap. A lot of people do it, and the ecosystem around it has developed accordingly.
Where to actually find furniture rentals
Specialized rental companies
There are companies in Israel that offer furniture packages specifically for new immigrants and short-term residents. They typically supply beds, sofas, dining sets, and basic kitchen appliances on a monthly rental basis. Most target olim directly and advertise through immigrant community channels. If you are coming over through the Jewish Agency or Nefesh b’Nefesh, those organizations often have information on vetted rental options as part of their absorption services — worth asking about early.
Yad2
Yad2 (yad2.co.il) is the main classifieds platform in Israel. It works similarly to Craigslist — people post used furniture, appliances, and sometimes full furnished setups. Searching for specific items in your city or neighborhood will usually surface private sellers who are moving out or upgrading. Prices are negotiable and quality varies, but it is one of the most reliable places to find quick, affordable solutions.
Facebook groups
The Israeli expat and oleh community is extremely active on Facebook. Groups like “Anglo Expats in Israel” and city-specific groups for Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ra’anana, and other popular areas are full of people selling or renting furniture on short notice. These are often the fastest way to find something decent at a fair price, and you are usually dealing with someone in a similar situation who understands why you need a bed by Thursday.
What you can typically rent
Most rental packages cover the basics: a bed frame and mattress, a sofa, a dining table with chairs, and sometimes a wardrobe. Appliances — particularly a washing machine and refrigerator — are often available as add-ons and worth asking about upfront. In Israel, appliances do not always come with apartments even on longer leases, so knowing your rental package includes a fridge and washing machine saves you a separate headache.
How rental agreements tend to work
Expect to pay a deposit upfront, usually one to two months of the rental fee. Monthly rates vary depending on what is included and who you are renting from. A proper company will give you a clear written agreement covering the rental term, what happens if something breaks, how returns work, and the conditions for early termination.
Read the damage clause carefully. Some operators charge significantly for wear beyond what is reasonable. If you are renting through a private individual rather than a company, get the terms in writing regardless — a clear message thread on WhatsApp spelling out the arrangement is better than nothing if a dispute comes up later.
Practical things to sort before delivery day
Measure your apartment before anything gets delivered. Israeli apartments, particularly older units in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, can have narrow doorways and tight stair situations. A sofa that is a perfectly normal size can absolutely get stuck in a stairwell. Ask before you commit.
Also think about timing. If your container is actually coming, figure out what you need to rent versus what can wait. Renting a bed and living out of suitcases for a few weeks is manageable. Renting a full apartment’s worth of furniture for six months adds up fast.
For people making Israel their permanent home, buying used through Yad2 or the Facebook groups often makes more financial sense than a long-term rental. But for the first month or two while you sort everything out, the rental route is genuinely useful — and more than a few people who have gone through the aliyah process wish they had known about it before they arrived.