Under Haw. Rev. Stat. 521-44, a landlord may collect a security deposit of up to one month's rent, plus a separate pet deposit of up to one month's rent. The deposit must be returned within 14 days after the rental agreement terminates, with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Willful wrongful withholding can cost the landlord triple damages.
Haw. Rev. Stat. 521-44 limits a security deposit to "an amount not in excess of a sum equal to one month's rent," plus a separately agreed pet deposit that also may not exceed one month's rent (service animals are exempt). To keep any portion, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing "together with the particulars of and grounds for the retention," including written evidence of costs such as estimates, invoices, or cleaning receipts. The remaining deposit must be "returned to the tenant not later than fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement." Permitted deductions cover unpaid rent, tenant defaults, cleaning, and pet damage, but not ordinary wear and tear. If a landlord wrongfully and wilfully retains a deposit, a court may award the tenant three times the amount wrongfully retained plus costs of suit.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. 521-44(h), where a landlord "wrongfully and wilfully retained a security deposit," the court may award the tenant "damages in an amount equal to three times the amount" wrongfully and wilfully retained, plus the cost of suit.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kailua, HI
Residential pool barriers in Kailua must meet ROH Sec. 16-6.2, which mandates fencing and other protective devices around swimming pools. These rules reduce ...
Kailua, HI
Retaining walls in Kailua follow ROH Sec. 21-4.40, which caps fill-retention walls within required yards at 6 feet. Terraced walls count toward combined heig...
Kailua, HI
Kailua fence materials are defined under ROH Sec. 21-4.60, which recognizes wrought iron, wire, wood, vinyl, plastic, and masonry with post foundations. Corr...
Kailua, HI
Fences along shared property lines in Kailua are governed by ROH Sec. 21-4.30 yard and setback rules. Honolulu has no dedicated spite-fence statute, so dispu...
Kailua, HI
Kailua public parks are closed to entry during posted night hours under ROH Sec. 10-1.2, with narrow exceptions for traversing beach parks to reach the shore...
Kailua, HI
Kailua follows the state juvenile curfew under HRS Sec. 577-16, which bars children under 16 from public places between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. without a pa...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how Kailua's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.