Holiday Home in Israel for London Ontario Families
Holiday Home in Israel for London Ontario Families
For many families in London Ontario, a holiday home in Israel means a base for Pesach and Sukkot, summers with grandchildren, and a place to stay close to relatives. London is a university and hospital city, and many buyers from there are academics, physicians and professionals who value good schools and green space. Choosing the right holiday apartment involves different questions from buying a full-time home: how often you will use it, whether it will be rented when you are away, and who will look after it. This guide covers locations, rental rules, management and the tax conversation to have with a Canadian accountant.
What London Ontario Families Want From a Holiday Home
Families here usually describe the same wish list, trading the Thames Valley trails and leafy streets for Israeli parks, bike paths and a short drive to the sea.
Easy access from Ben Gurion Airport matters when every trip starts after a long journey. A walkable location near a synagogue, shops and the beach or old city makes short visits easier. Enough bedrooms for visiting children and grandchildren is often more important than a large living room.
Popular Holiday Locations
Families from London often compare Ra'anana and Kfar Saba, with their parks and English-speaking networks, with Modiin, which sits between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on the main rail line.
Jerusalem draws families for the holidays, with neighbourhoods such as the German Colony and Baka close to the Old City. Tel Aviv and Herzliya suit those who want beaches, restaurants and a lively atmosphere. Eilat offers winter sun on the Red Sea, though it is further from family in the centre of the country.
Choosing the Building and the Apartment
A ground floor garden apartment is lovely for grandchildren but needs more upkeep when empty. Check how the building handles cleaning, repairs and common charges when you are abroad. Newer buildings reduce maintenance surprises; older buildings may benefit from future urban renewal.
Personal Use or Short-Term Rental
Some owners keep the apartment purely for family use, while others rent it when they are away to cover running costs. Short-term rental rules can depend on the municipality, the building and its bylaws, so check them before you buy. Long-term rental with a clause for your own visits is rarely practical, so most owners choose one model.
Family use only
Short-term rental between visits
Long-term rental now, holiday home later
Running the Home From Canada
Most London families drive or take the train to Toronto Pearson for a direct flight to Ben Gurion Airport. Between trips someone needs to air the apartment, check for leaks and prepare it before you land.
Smart locks and remote meters help, but they do not replace a person on the ground. A caretaker or management company can clean, inspect and restock before each visit. Keep an Israeli account for arnona, electricity, water and building fees.
Legal and Tax Points to Check
Purchase tax on an additional or non-resident property is assessed differently from a sole home, and your Israeli lawyer should explain the position before signing. Before transferring funds, ask a Canadian accountant how the purchase will be reported in Canada, and ask an Israeli lawyer and tax advisor how it will be treated in Israel.
If the home will pass to children, discuss succession with lawyers in both countries. Insurance for a property that is often empty needs specific cover. Keep all receipts for renovations and furnishing.
Frequently asked questions
Where do London Ontario families usually buy a holiday home
Common choices include Ra'anana, Kfar Saba and Jerusalem, depending on where relatives live and whether you prefer the sea, a city or the countryside.
Can I rent my holiday home when I am not there
Often yes, but short-term rental rules vary by municipality and building. Your lawyer should check them before purchase.
Who looks after the apartment between visits
Most owners use a caretaker or management company for cleaning, inspections and repairs, and keep an Israeli bank account for bills.
Do I need a Canadian accountant
Yes. Owning and possibly renting a foreign property has Canadian reporting consequences, and an Israeli tax advisor should also review Israeli taxes.
Elkayam Group
Three generations of the Elkayam family have built businesses in Israel since 1945, today in real estate. Elkayam Group works across development, pinui-binui, TAMA 38 and urban renewal, arranges combination and complex deals with backing companies, and can provide guarantees. We speak English, Hebrew and French and coordinate the lawyers and advisors you need.
Contact Elkayam Group to start a clear, well-advised search from London Ontario.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv