“Jerusalem is loaded with building violations, the most common being the unauthorized addition of residential units—whether by splitting an existing apartment into two or three small units or converting warehouses, parking lots, or other technical areas. Most of these apartments are cramped, windowless, and poorly ventilated, providing a low standard of living for the young families who reside in them.
These violations will continue as long as demand for small apartments persists. This demand is driven by increasing life expectancy, high divorce rates, and young couples wishing to live near their parents, factors that have made it nearly impossible to find 2-3 room apartments in many neighborhoods.
In a healthy market where the housing mix meets the local need, illegal apartments can’t survive, since no one actually wants to live in a windowless storage room. The Jerusalem Municipality is responsible for the status quo, which would naturally fade if only they permitted the legal division of apartments without enforcing heavy levies. This would allow the market forces to work on their own. When demand drops, illegal splitting will fade; and if it rises, at least the population will have an inventory of small units that meet safety standards and feature natural light and ventilation.