Hawaii Security Deposit Law
Hawaii rules on security deposits for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: 1 month's rent, plus an optional pet deposit of up to 1 month's rent (only if the tenant has a pet; never for an assistance animal). At move-in the landlord may collect only the first month's rent and the security deposit. HRS § 521-44(b)
The rules in Hawaii
| Security deposit limit | 1 month's rent, plus an optional pet deposit of up to 1 month's rent (only if the tenant has a pet; never for an assistance animal). At move-in the landlord may collect only the first month's rent and the security deposit. Source: HRS § 521-44(b) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 14 days after the rental agreement ends. Compliance is presumed if mailed to the tenant's supplied address and postmarked by midnight of the 14th day. Tenant must sue within 1 year. Source: HRS § 521-44(c) |
| 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) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required. |
| Penalty for withholding | Wrongful and wilful retention: court may award up to 3 times the amount wrongfully and wilfully retained, plus costs. Wrongful (not wilful) retention: the amount wrongfully retained plus costs. Deposit disputes go to the small claims division of district court, where attorneys are not allowed (§ 521-44(g)-(h)). Source: HRS § 521-44(h) |
Free calculators
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator — See when your landlord must return your deposit, and the penalty your state sets if they don't.
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Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
Hawaii vs. neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Itemized deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1 month's rent, plus an optional pet deposit of up to 1 month's rent (only if the tenant has a pet; never for an assistance animal). At move-in the landlord may collect only the first month's rent and the security deposit. HRS § 521-44(b) | 14 days after the rental agreement ends. HRS § 521-44(c) | 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. HRS § 521-44(c) |
| California | One month's rent, in addition to the first month's rent. Small-landlord exception: up to two months' rent if the landlord is a natural person (or an LLC whose members are all natural persons) who owns no more than two residential rental properties with no more than four units in total. The exception does not apply if the prospective tenant is a service member. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(5) | No later than 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates. The landlord must return the remaining deposit with an itemized statement. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1) | The landlord must give an itemized statement of deductions. For deductions over $125, it must include copies of receipts or invoices, or the landlord's own time and hourly rate. If work cannot be finished within 21 days, a good-faith estimate is allowed, with documents due within 14 days of completion. Deductions for repairs or cleaning must include photographs. The tenant may also request a pre-move-out initial inspection, at which the landlord lists proposed deductions so the tenant can fix them. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(f), (g), (h)(2)-(5) |
City rules that may add to state law
More Hawaii rental law
- Hawaii Eviction Laws
- Hawaii Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Hawaii
- Hawaii Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Hawaii Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Hawaii
- Squatters' Rights in Hawaii
- Hawaii Rental Fee Rules
- Hawaii Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Hawaii Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Hawaii Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Hawaii Landlord Selling the House
- Hawaii Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Hawaii Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Hawaii landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Hawaii
Compare security deposits in all 50 states and DC →
Hawaii Security Deposit Law FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Hawaii?
1 month's rent, plus an optional pet deposit of up to 1 month's rent (only if the tenant has a pet; never for an assistance animal). At move-in the landlord may collect only the first month's rent and the security deposit. (HRS § 521-44(b))
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Hawaii?
14 days after the rental agreement ends. (HRS § 521-44(c))
Does a landlord in Hawaii have to give an itemized list of deposit 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. (HRS § 521-44(c))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Hawaii?
Not required. (HRS § 521-44; Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Q&A))
What happens if a landlord in Hawaii wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
Wrongful and wilful retention: court may award up to 3 times the amount wrongfully and wilfully retained, plus costs. Wrongful (not wilful) retention: the amount wrongfully retained plus costs. (HRS § 521-44(h))
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.