Another Lawsuit Filed Against Israeli Developer Oded Shariqi for Delayed Apartment Deliveries

Residents of the "Sofrim Complex" housing project in Bnei Brak have filed a fourth lawsuit against developer Oded Shariqi, owner of "Erez HaNegev" real estate. The suit, seeking approximately 1.58 million shekels, was lodged last week at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court by 29 plaintiffs, representing 15 families who purchased apartments under the "Price for the Resident" government program. The core of their claim is that the developer's delays in handing over the apartments necessitate compensation.

The buyers, represented by attorneys Israel Ziskin and Moshe Osadcher, allege delays ranging from 6 to 16 months. They further claim the company repeatedly issued postponement notices while withholding information and consistently refused to pay legally mandated compensation for the delays, as required by the Sale (Apartments) Law.

This latest lawsuit joins three others against Erez HaNegev concerning the same project. These include a pending class-action lawsuit in the Beer Sheva District Court, another civil suit in the Tel Aviv District Court, and a prior Magistrate's Court case. Recently, the Supreme Court issued a precedent-setting order to transfer the class-action case from Beer Sheva to Tel Aviv. This move aims to consolidate proceedings, prevent duplicate hearings, conserve resources, and avoid conflicting rulings from different courts.

However, the consolidation order, which became effective this week, brings together two distinct legal processes with differing structures, procedural rules, and evidentiary requirements. The central issue remains the buyers' allegations that Erez HaNegev, owned by businessman Oded Shariqi, delivered apartments late without providing the full compensation owed.