Move-In / Move-Out Checklist in Hawaii

Record the condition of each room on move-in and again on move-out, with photos. It is the best evidence in a security deposit dispute. Some states require a move-in condition form.

What Hawaii law says

Itemized deductions	Written notice of the particulars and grounds for any retention, with written evidence of costs (estimates, invoices, receipts), within 14 days. If the landlord fails to do so, it may not keep any of the deposit and must return all of it. Not required if the tenant wrongfully quit (absence of 20+ days without notice while rent unpaid is deemed wrongful quitting, § 521-44(d)). Source: HRS § 521-44(c)
Wear and tear / move-out charges	Defined by statute: 'normal wear and tear' means deterioration or depreciation in value by ordinary and reasonable use, but does not include items missing from the unit. The deposit may be used for tenant damage beyond that, unpaid rent, unreturned keys/fobs/openers, cleaning the unit to return it to the condition at move-in, damage by an allowed pet (from the separate pet deposit), and unpaid landlord-provided utilities. Cleaning charges must be supported with written evidence such as receipts or cleaning-service charges. Painting and carpet are not specifically addressed. The landlord's signed move-in inventory is presumed correct; if none was made, the unit is rebuttably presumed to be in the same condition at move-out as at move-in (§ 521-42(a)). Deposit statute: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0521/HRS_0521-0044.htm Source: HRS §§ 521-8; 521-44(a), (c); 521-51(7)

Itemized deductions

Written notice of the particulars and grounds for any retention, with written evidence of costs (estimates, invoices, receipts), within 14 days. If the landlord fails to do so, it may not keep any of the deposit and must return all of it.

Not required if the tenant wrongfully quit (absence of 20+ days without notice while rent unpaid is deemed wrongful quitting, § 521-44(d)).

Source: HRS § 521-44(c)

Wear and tear / move-out charges

Defined by statute: 'normal wear and tear' means deterioration or depreciation in value by ordinary and reasonable use, but does not include items missing from the unit. The deposit may be used for tenant damage beyond that, unpaid rent, unreturned keys/fobs/openers, cleaning the unit to return it to the condition at move-in, damage by an allowed pet (from the separate pet deposit), and unpaid landlord-provided utilities. Cleaning charges must be supported with written evidence such as receipts or cleaning-service charges. Painting and carpet are not specifically addressed.

The landlord's signed move-in inventory is presumed correct; if none was made, the unit is rebuttably presumed to be in the same condition at move-out as at move-in (§ 521-42(a)). Deposit statute: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0521/HRS_0521-0044.htm

Source: HRS §§ 521-8; 521-44(a), (c); 521-51(7)

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MOVE-IN / MOVE-OUT CONDITION CHECKLIST — [rental address]

Tenant: [tenant name] Landlord: [landlord name]

Move-in date: [move-in date] Move-out date: [move-out date]

Living room — walls, floors, windows, lights: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Kitchen — appliances, cabinets, sink, counters: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Bathroom(s) — toilet, tub/shower, sink, fan: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Bedroom(s) — walls, floors, closets, windows: move-in ____________ / move-out ____________

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested: move-in ______ / move-out ______ Keys given: [number of keys]

Photos taken on: [photo dates]. Signed by tenant ____________ and landlord ____________

Move-In / Move-Out Checklist for other states · Hawaii tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.