Chanukat Bayit in a Rented Apartment

Greetings,

The custom among Sephardim is to conduct a housewarming ceremony even in a rented home; however, among Ashkenazim, this is not the custom.

Sources: See in the book Habait (section 22, note 5) which brings from Rabbi Chaim Palagi, of blessed memory, in Yimtza Chaim (on the order of the housewarming ceremony) that it is customary for even someone renting a house to recite the housewarming ceremony. This is similarly stated in Keter Shem Tov part 1 (page 141) in the name of the book Chanukat Bayit, and in the Chiyahli pamphlet (in Bayit HaAdam page 5). Also, in the book Yalkut YosefShabbat Simchot part 1 (page 440, section 6) it is written that it is appropriate to hold a "housewarming meal" even when renting an apartment. Thus, it was also brought in Responsa Avnei Yeshef part 5 (section 33, letter 6) in the name of Rabbi Vadim Ben Shaul, of blessed memory, that a housewarming should also be done in a rented apartment.

However, among Ashkenazim, this is not customary, as written in Responsa Avnei Yeshef there.

Wishing you blessings and success,

Hillel Meirs