Nefesh B'Nefesh — Setting up and transferring electricity, gas, and water when you move in Israel
Source: https://www.nbn.org.il/life-in-israel/community-and-housing/setting-up-your-home-in-israel-community-and-housing/electricity-gas-and-water · 2026-09
The following is an overview of how to set up basic utilities in your new home in Israel. The same process runs in reverse when you move out — see the last section.
Electricity
When moving into a new apartment, it is advisable to switch the electric bill to your name, even if you are renting. This will avoid confusion when the time comes to pay the bill.
How to transfer the electric bill to your name: Contact the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) to arrange the transfer. You will typically need your Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID) and a copy of your lease agreement.
Tips:
- Transfer the bill as soon as you move in to avoid being held responsible for a previous tenant’s unpaid balance.
- Take a photo of the electricity meter reading on the day you get the keys.
- Even renters should put the bill in their own name.
Gas
There are two ways in which gas is set up in apartments and houses:
- Centralized (piped) gas — connected to a building-wide or city gas network.
- Individual gas tanks (ballonit) — a tank supplied and replaced by a private gas company.
Tips:
- When moving in, check which gas setup your apartment uses.
- If you use a private gas company, you will need to arrange delivery and replacement of gas tanks.
Major Gas Companies in Israel:
| Company | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Amisra Gas | 1-700-701-702 | www.amisragas.co.il |
| PazGaz | 1-800-667-788 | www.pazgas.co.il |
| Super Gas | *3114 | www.supergas.co.il |
Water
Every municipality has its own company that deals with the administration and billing for water and sewage services. Some are part of the municipality itself; others are private companies you will need to contact directly.
Tips:
- Transfer the water bill to your name as soon as you move in.
- You will generally need: a copy of your lease agreement, your Teudat Zehut, and the most recent water-meter reading.
Water Companies by City:
| City | Customer Service # | Website | How to Transfer the Bill to Your Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Be’er Sheva (Mei Sheva) | 08-620-6511 | www.beer-sheva.muni.il | Call Mei Sheva for instructions |
| Beit Shemesh (Municipality) | 1-800-848-8888 | betshemesh.muni.il | Go to the municipality with a copy of your lease agreement, Teudat Zehut, and the recent water-meter reading |
| Efrat (Municipality) | 02-993-9324 | www.efrat.muni.il | Contact municipality for instructions |
| Haifa (Municipality) | 1-700-700-060 | www.haifa.muni.il | Call the Haifa Municipality for instructions |
| Jerusalem (Hagihon) | *2070 or 02-565-1111 | www.hagihon.co.il | Sign a form declaring you are the new tenant (downloadable from hagihon.co.il). Fax the form along with the recent water-meter reading to 02-5651294 |
| Modi’in (Mei Modi’in) | *9099 or 1-700-706-626 | www.mei-modiin.co.il | The previous tenant must first clear their bill (bring old lease to Customer Service: 1-700-701-441). Then take a confirmation form and your lease to the municipality to transfer the bill |
| Netanya (Mei Netanya) | 1-800-202-084 | www.mei-netanya.co.il | Sign a form declaring you are the new tenant (available at Netanya Municipality). Fax the form along with recent water-meter reading to 09-8859748 |
| Ra’anana (Municipality) | 09-761-0464 | www.raanana.muni.il | Fax a copy of your lease agreement, Teudat Zehut, and recent water-meter reading |
| Tel Aviv (Municipality) | 03-521-8666 | www.tel-aviv.gov.il | Sign a form declaring you are the new tenant (downloadable from tel-aviv.gov.il). Fax the form along with recent water-meter reading to 03-5216404 |
When You Move Out
The accounts stay in your name until you actively close or transfer them, so a bill (or a debt) can follow you after you leave. On or just before your last day:
- Photograph every meter (electricity, water, and gas if metered) with the date visible. This reading is the cut-off between what you owe and what the next tenant owes.
- Contact each provider — the IEC for electricity, your municipal water corporation, and your gas company — give them the final meter reading and your move-out date, and ask them to either close the account or transfer it to the incoming tenant.
- Get written confirmation that the account is closed or transferred. Keep it until you have your security deposit back.
- Settle any outstanding balance. Unpaid water bills in particular can revert to the property owner, who may then withhold it from your deposit.
For assistance: Contact Nefesh B’Nefesh at:
- US & Canada: 1-866-4-ALIYAH
- Israel: 02-659-5800
- Post-Aliyah Answers Helpline (Israel): *3680