blog.cat.realestate6 min read9/19/2026

You Moved Out, but the Arnona Remained Registered in Your Name: How to Stop the Debt and Challenge the Charges

Handing the keys to the landlord does not remove the former occupant’s name from the municipal arnona account. To stop new charges, you must notify the municipality in writing of the change in the property’s holder and retain proof of the date on which the notice was received.

Numbers and facts

•Section 325 — written notice of a change of holder
•7 years — limitation period when no collection action is taken
•₪150,028 — amount of the claim dismissed in a decision dated November 24, 2021

The Municipality Must Be Notified — Immediately

The arnona department of the municipality in which the apartment is located must be notified of the move. Notifying the landlord, the new occupant, or the agent is not enough, because the municipality is the entity that changes the name of the person liable for payment in its records. Be’er Sheva Municipality emphasizes the need to report a change of owner or holder when the change occurs, so that the arnona is recalculated for the correct person. Canceling a bank direct debit also does not replace changing the holder, as the account may continue to grow in the former holder’s name.

Why the Date of the Written Notice Is Crucial

Ashdod Municipality states that, under Section 325 of the Municipalities Ordinance, the holder is changed only after written notice is received, and the change generally takes effect from the date of that notice. Therefore, waiting for the new occupant to register themselves may result in additional charges being imposed on the former occupant. It is best to send the notice when handing over the apartment, not after receiving the next bill. The submission method and form vary by city, as the municipal websites of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities publish their own instructions and forms.

Which Documents Help Prove the Move

Keep a copy of the submitted municipal form, the notice itself, and proof that it was received, such as a request number, electronic receipt, or proof of mailing. It is reasonable to attach documents showing the date on which possession or occupancy ended, such as a lease termination agreement, an apartment handover report, or signed confirmation that the keys were returned. The previous lease and a document identifying the next holder are also useful, if this information is available. Municipalities determine the precise list of documents independently, so you should check your city’s requirements before submitting. The essential evidence is not merely the fact that you moved out, but also the date on which the municipality was notified of it in writing.

Can the Charges Be Canceled Retroactively?

You should not expect the entire period following the handover of the keys to be canceled automatically. The position published by Ashdod Municipality links the change of holder to the date of the written notice, so the municipality may refuse to transfer the account to an earlier date if the request was submitted late. Nevertheless, a written recalculation request may be submitted, with the lease, apartment handover documents, and correspondence proving who used it after the move attached. If the request is denied, it is important to obtain the denial in writing, because without a reasoned decision it is difficult to understand which facts the municipality did not accept and which subsequent objection procedure should be used.

The Lease Alone Does Not Always Protect You

The Supreme Court’s judgment in case AdmA 1244/07 stated that the owner may be required to pay arnona even if the property was leased. This demonstrates the distinction between private arrangements between the parties and the municipal register of holders: a contractual clause stating that “the tenant pays the arnona” does not necessarily resolve the matter vis-à-vis the municipality. In a dispute, written notices, dates, and documents concerning the actual change of holder are important. The potential scope of disputes may be substantial: a decision published by the state on November 24, 2021 addressed an arnona claim in the amount of 150,028 shekels that was dismissed, but this does not mean that other debts are canceled automatically.

FAQ

Whom should I notify when leaving the apartment — the landlord or the municipality?

The landlord must be notified as part of the rental relationship, but to stop the arnona charges, the municipality must be contacted separately. It is advisable to do so in writing on the day the apartment is handed over and to obtain confirmation of receipt.

Can the person liable for arnona be changed retroactively?

This is not guaranteed. Ashdod Municipality states that, under Section 325, the change takes effect from the date the written notice is received, and a request for recalculation from an earlier date must be supported by documents proving the actual handover of the apartment.

Is it enough to present a contract requiring the new occupant to pay the arnona?

No. The allocation of obligations in the contract alone may not be sufficient as far as the municipality is concerned. In case AdmA 1244/07, the Supreme Court permitted the collection of arnona from the owner despite the property having been leased, so formally changing the holder in the municipal register is especially important.

What should I do if a bill arrives after I have moved out?

You should immediately submit a notice of change of holder, together with a separate written request to review the disputed period. Attach the lease, the lease termination document, proof of the apartment’s handover, and evidence of all previous communications.

Does an arnona debt disappear after seven years?

Not automatically. According to the cited review of case law, a local authority may not collect the debt after seven years if it took no collection action during that period, and specific correspondence and municipal measures may be crucial.

What to do next

When moving out, submit written notice directly to the municipality and retain proof of its receipt and documents bearing the date on which the apartment was handed over. Then verify that the name on the account was actually changed. If charges continue, request a written recalculation and a reasoned response. If the debt is large or old, it is worth separately checking the applicable objection procedure and the record of actions taken by the municipality.