HRS § 521-44: Hawaii security deposit rules in plain English
What HRS § 521-44 says about Hawaii security deposits: the cap, the deadline to return the deposit, itemized deductions and interest. Every fact below comes from our statute-checked data. Last verified 2026-10-22.
Quick answer
- Return deadline
- 14 days
- Counted from when the rental agreement ends, not from when you move out or return the keys. Within those 14 days the landlord must give written notice of any amount kept, with evidence of the costs, and return the rest.
- A refund mailed to the address you supplied and postmarked by midnight of day 14 counts as on time. If the landlord misses the deadline, they lose the right to keep any of the deposit.
- Maximum deposit
- One month's rent, plus (if the landlord and tenant agree) an additional pet-damage deposit of up to one more month's rent; the pet amount may not be required from a tenant without a pet or for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation (HRS 521-44(b)). The deposit may be held only for: tenant defaults (damage from failure to comply with 521-51, unpaid rent, unreturned keys/fobs/openers/mailbox keys), cleaning to the condition at move-in, damages if the tenant wrongfully quits, pet damage, and unpaid landlord-supplied utilities (521-44(a)). At the start of the tenancy the landlord may not require or receive any money other than the first month's rent and the security deposit (521-44(b)). The deposit is not last month's rent unless agreed in writing and the tenant gives 45 days' notice (521-44(b)). The tenant's claim to the deposit is prior to any creditor of the landlord, even if commingled (521-44(b)).
- Itemized list
- Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required
- Interest
- No interest or separate-account requirement found in HRS 521-44 (deposits may be commingled).
What HRS § 521-44 says, as we verified it
Deposit limit
One month's rent, plus (if the landlord and tenant agree) an additional pet-damage deposit of up to one more month's rent; the pet amount may not be required from a tenant without a pet or for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation (HRS 521-44(b)). The deposit may be held only for: tenant defaults (damage from failure to comply with 521-51, unpaid rent, unreturned keys/fobs/openers/mailbox keys), cleaning to the condition at move-in, damages if the tenant wrongfully quits, pet damage, and unpaid landlord-supplied utilities (521-44(a)). At the start of the tenancy the landlord may not require or receive any money other than the first month's rent and the security deposit (521-44(b)). The deposit is not last month's rent unless agreed in writing and the tenant gives 45 days' notice (521-44(b)). The tenant's claim to the deposit is prior to any creditor of the landlord, even if commingled (521-44(b)).
Interest
No interest or separate-account requirement found in HRS 521-44 (deposits may be commingled).
Full citation: HRS 521-44(a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (g), (h) Read the official text
Hawaii deposit deadline calculatorAll Hawaii tenant law rulesDeposit return deadline by stateDeposit statutes for every state
FAQ: HRS § 521-44
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit under HRS § 521-44?
Under HRS § 521-44, a Hawaii landlord has 14 days to return the security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Counted from when the rental agreement ends, not from when you move out or return the keys. Within those 14 days the landlord must give written notice of any amount kept, with evidence of the costs, and return the rest. A refund mailed to the address you supplied and postmarked by midnight of day 14 counts as on time. If the landlord misses the deadline, they lose the right to keep any of the deposit.
Is there a limit on the security deposit in Hawaii?
One month's rent, plus (if the landlord and tenant agree) an additional pet-damage deposit of up to one more month's rent; the pet amount may not be required from a tenant without a pet or for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation (HRS 521-44(b)). The deposit may be held only for: tenant defaults (damage from failure to comply with 521-51, unpaid rent, unreturned keys/fobs/openers/mailbox keys), cleaning to the condition at move-in, damages if the tenant wrongfully quits, pet damage, and unpaid landlord-supplied utilities (521-44(a)). At the start of the tenancy the landlord may not require or receive any money other than the first month's rent and the security deposit (521-44(b)). The deposit is not last month's rent unless agreed in writing and the tenant gives 45 days' notice (521-44(b)). The tenant's claim to the deposit is prior to any creditor of the landlord, even if commingled (521-44(b)).
Does Hawaii require an itemized list of deductions?
Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required. Citation: HRS 521-44(a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (g), (h).
Does the landlord have to pay interest on the deposit in Hawaii?
No interest or separate-account requirement found in HRS 521-44 (deposits may be commingled).
Check your lease against Hawaii law
Scan it free and see which clauses break these rules.
Scan my Hawaii leaseGeneral information only, not legal advice. Last verified 2026-10-22. Laws change; verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.