Hawaii Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Hawaii, the landlord must return the deposit within 14 calendar days. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After the termination of the rental agreement. The verified state formula is failure to furnish required written notice/itemization within 14 days: landlord forfeits right to retain any part of deposit and must return entire deposit; if court finds wrongful and wilful retention, damages may equal three times the amount wrongfully and wilfully retained plus costs; if wrongful (not wilful), damages equal the amount wrongfully retained plus costs under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44.
Key facts
| Deadline | 14 calendar days |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after the termination of the rental agreement |
| Penalty formula | failure to furnish required written notice/itemization within 14 days: landlord forfeits right to retain any part of deposit and must return entire deposit; if court finds wrongful and wilful retention, damages may equal three times the amount wrongfully and wilfully retained plus costs; if wrongful (not wilful), damages equal the amount wrongfully retained plus costs |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | Not more than one month's rent, plus an optional additional pet security deposit not exceeding one month's rent (not for assistance animals). At the beginning of the rental agreement landlord may receive first month's rent and the security deposit only (no other upfront money). |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (District Court Small Claims Division general claims; residential security-deposit return claims heard in Small Claims with no statutory monetary cap per HI Judiciary self-help) in District Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Statute citation | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 |
Statute says
The security deposit, or the portion of the security deposit remaining after the landlord has claimed and retained amounts authorized under this section, if any, shall be returned to the tenant not later than fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement. If the landlord does not furnish the tenant with the written notice and other information required by this subsection, within fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement, the landlord shall not be entitled to retain the security deposit or any part of it, and the landlord shall return the entire amount of the security deposit to the tenant.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Hawaii is $1,971 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Honolulu County: $2,083
- Hawaii County: $1,510
- Maui County: $1,916
- Kauai County: $1,870
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,971 before applying the state formula: failure to furnish required written notice/itemization within 14 days: landlord forfeits right to retain any part of deposit and must return entire deposit; if court finds wrongful and wilful retention, damages may equal three times the amount wrongfully and wilfully retained plus costs; if wrongful (not wilful), damages equal the amount wrongfully retained plus costs.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu County | First Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division, Honolulu | $5,000 (District Court Small Claims Division general claims; residential security-deposit return claims heard in Small Claims with no statutory monetary cap per HI Judiciary self-help) | $35, per the Hawaii Judiciary small-claims guidance. | Yes | Court site |
| Hawaii County | Third Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division, Hilo | $5,000 (District Court Small Claims Division general claims; residential security-deposit return claims heard in Small Claims with no statutory monetary cap per HI Judiciary self-help) | $35. | Yes | Court site |
| Maui County | Second Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division, Wailuku | $5,000 (District Court Small Claims Division general claims; residential security-deposit return claims heard in Small Claims with no statutory monetary cap per HI Judiciary self-help) | $35. | Yes | Court site |
| Kauai County | Fifth Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division, Lihue | $5,000 (District Court Small Claims Division general claims; residential security-deposit return claims heard in Small Claims with no statutory monetary cap per HI Judiciary self-help) | $35. | Yes | Court site |
| Kalawao County | Second Circuit District Court - Molokai, Kaunakakai | $5,000 (District Court Small Claims Division general claims; residential security-deposit return claims heard in Small Claims with no statutory monetary cap per HI Judiciary self-help) | $35. | Yes | Court site |
Free Hawaii template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Hawaii data for this page lists a 14 calendar days return window and cites Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Urban Honolulu have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Hawaii law and local rules.
Does East Honolulu have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Hawaii law and local rules.
Does Pearl City have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Hawaii law and local rules.
Does Hilo have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Hawaii law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Urban Honolulu, East Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, Waipahu, Kailua, Kaneohe, Kahului.
Tenant resources
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaiilegal aid, 808-536-4302
- Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection - Landlord-Tenant Codeag consumer
- Hawaii Judiciary - Small Claims Informationcourt self help
- Hawaii Office of Consumer Protectionag consumer
- Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Information Centerhotline, 808-586-2634