Q. If a Jew is moving into a rental property for a six month period while his own home is being repaired (owned by another Jew) can he remove his mezzuzot at the end of the tenancy?
A. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 291 :2) rules that a renter is obligated to place the mezuzah and when he leaves should not take it with him, unless he is renting from a Gentile. The Talmud (Bava Metziah 102a) relates of a terrible family tragedy that occurred due to the removal of the mezuzah. See also Sefer Chasidim that there is a potential threat of being cursed with the death of progeny (Lechem Yehuda ibid.)
The above applies regardless of the extent of time or the intention that the renter had when renting. He might however, claim for monetary restitution (Remoh ibid.)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
