Hawaii security deposit demand letter
Create a Hawaii security deposit demand letter using the residential-deposit rules verified July 24, 2026. The form checks the facts that control statutory coverage, the return clock, itemization, notice, and any qualified remedy before it inserts state-law text.
What law governs a residential security deposit in Hawaii?
HRS § 521-44 governs ordinary residential security deposits. The citation is used only after the factual scope questions confirm that the ordinary residential rule applies. If a material scope fact is unknown, the state citation and enhanced remedy are suppressed rather than guessed. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 · Verified July 24, 2026
When is a security deposit or accounting due in Hawaii?
Ordinarily, the remaining deposit is due no later than 14 days after termination of the rental agreement. However, a tenant absent at least 20 continuous days without written notice, during a period for which rent was not paid, is deemed to have wrongfully quit, and the landlord may retain the entire deposit. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 · Verified July 24, 2026
What itemization or documentation is required in Hawaii?
Written particulars and supporting cost evidence are required when the landlord retains deposit funds, except when the tenant wrongfully quit under § 521-44(d). The letter requests only the itemization, accounting, and supporting documents required by that rule. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 · Verified July 24, 2026
What remedy may apply if a Hawaii landlord does not comply?
For an ordinary tenancy, failure to provide required notice/information within 14 days forfeits the right to retain the deposit. Deadline-based forfeiture of deductions does not require willfulness in the ordinary branch. Mandatory actual recovery and costs require wrongful retention; discretionary trebling requires both wrongful and willful retention. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 · Verified July 24, 2026
Does Hawaii require a demand, delivery method, or prescribed form?
No special method governs the tenant’s outgoing deposit demand. The proof-of-mailing rule in § 521-44 concerns the landlord’s refund/accounting. The cited law does not prescribe a tenant deposit-demand form or wording. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44; Hawaii Judiciary, Small Claims.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 · Verified July 24, 2026
HRS § 521-44 governs ordinary residential security deposits.