State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
Hawaii Security Deposit Laws
Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44, Hawaii landlords must return security deposits within 14 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Up to 3x the deposit wrongfully withheld.
Quick Answer
In Hawaii, landlords have 14 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is 1 month's rent. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $5,000) and may recover Up to 3x the deposit wrongfully withheld under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
Received deductions from your landlord?
Check if they violate Hawaii law
What Hawaii Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 14 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Up to 3x the deposit wrongfully withheld. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $5,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A generic complaint gets ignored. A letter citing Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44 deadlines and HUD depreciation schedules gets results. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $800-2,5005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Mold/Mildew Treatment
Typical: $200-800May be contestable depending on your lease terms and move-in condition.
How It Works
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AI Analyzes Charges
Each deduction checked against Hawaii law and HUD guidelines
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
Legal Demand Letter
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
"My property manager charged $600 for painting a studio after 4 years. Paint wears out in 3. Got every penny back."
— Kailua, HI
$19 to recover up to $2,200. That's a 115x return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Hawaii landlord have to return my deposit?
Hawaii landlords must return your deposit within 14 days—one of the shortest deadlines in the U.S. Bad faith withholding can result in 3x damages.
What is the maximum security deposit in Hawaii?
Hawaii caps deposits at 1 month's rent—no exceptions. Pet deposits are included in this cap.
What if my Hawaii landlord wrongfully withholds my deposit?
You can recover up to 3x the amount wrongfully withheld. File in Small Claims Court (up to $5,000) or District Court for larger amounts.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
How much can I recover in Hawaii for a wrongful deposit withholding?
Hawaii allows up to 3x the deposit wrongfully withheld under HRS § 521-44. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $5,000; District Court takes larger amounts. With Hawaii's typical $2,200 deposit, treble damages can reach $6,600 plus court costs.
City-Specific Rules
Some Hawaii cities have additional tenant protections:
- Honolulu: High rental costs but strong tenant protections. Housing mediation services available.
Official Resources
- Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection(Government)
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how Hawaii's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
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Average Hawaii deposit: $2,200 · Based on Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527