Herzliya Residents Sue Africa Israel Residential for NIS 20 Million Over Construction Defects
Representatives of 12 residential buildings in Herzliya, constructed by Africa Israel Residential, have filed a lawsuit demanding approximately NIS 20 million. They accuse the company of negligence in construction, citing significant defects in the shared property and failure to properly address these issues. The lawsuit, submitted through attorneys Roni Elpasi and Chaya Tzarfati, claims that despite numerous complaints, Africa Israel Residential responded dismissively or ignored most defects, only performing minor repairs that did not resolve the fundamental problems.
The plaintiffs state that residents purchased apartments under various agreements, including the "Price for Residents" program and the open market. Soon after taking possession, many defects emerged, indicating serious construction flaws and alleged breach of contractual commitments. A professional assessment highlighted malfunctioning ventilation systems across all buildings, causing harmful gas accumulation, moisture, odors, mold, and mildew. Additional issues include rainwater leakage into stairwell walls, advanced corrosion in solar system piping, and unusual elevator noises.
The lawsuit further alleges that ventilation fans were improperly installed, raising severe safety concerns due to inadequate smoke evacuation capabilities in emergencies. Shared parking areas also suffer from multiple defects, such as water leaks in sprinkler room piping, corroded fire suppression pipes, cracks and loose plaster in walls and ceilings, lack of mechanical protection for ventilation pipes, and insufficient bicycle and motorcycle parking facilities.
The plaintiffs accuse Africa Israel Residential of exploiting their patience, delaying repairs, denying some defects, and conducting substandard fixes. They claim that had they known the true condition and service level, they would have refused to contract with the company. Instead of enjoying their investment, residents have been forced to repeatedly demand repairs without success.
Africa Israel Residential rejects the allegations, stating the buildings were delivered in good condition and met high standards. The company says it has addressed residents' complaints over the years in coordination with building committees and contractors and denies ignoring or avoiding defect repairs. The company notes it has not yet received the lawsuit officially but will respond through legal channels once it does.
