Hawaii Security Deposit Demand Letter (HRS § 521-44)

Moved out and still waiting on your deposit? A clear, written demand is usually the first step — and often the last one needed. Answer the questions below and your letter fills itself in as you type.

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[Your full name]
[Your forwarding address]

October 15, 2026

[Landlord or property manager name]

Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [Rental address]

Dear [Landlord or property manager name],

I was a tenant at [Rental address] and moved out on [Move-out date]. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of [Deposit amount ($)]. So far none of my deposit has been returned, and I have not received an itemized statement of deductions.

Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44, a landlord must return the security deposit, or give written notice of the reasons for keeping any part of it with itemized costs and receipts or estimates, within 14 days after the rental agreement ends. That period has now passed.

Please send [Deposit amount ($)] to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.

If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 29, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for three times the amount wrongfully and willfully retained, plus the cost of suit.

I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.

Sincerely,

[Your full name]

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How security deposits work in Hawaii

Hawaii landlords must return the security deposit, or whatever remains after lawful deductions, within 14 days after the rental agreement ends. Deductions are allowed for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning to restore move-in condition, unreturned keys, key fobs, parking cards or garage openers, and some unpaid utilities. Deposits are capped at one month's rent, plus a separate pet deposit of up to one more month.

A landlord who keeps any part of the deposit must notify the tenant in writing of the reasons, itemizing costs and including copies of receipts, or estimates if repairs can't be done within the 14 days. If that notice and any remaining deposit don't go out within 14 days, the whole deposit must be returned. Provide a forwarding address in writing so the refund and notice reach you, and note that a suit to recover a deposit must be filed within one year after the rental agreement ends.

If a court finds the landlord kept the deposit wrongfully and willfully, it may award three times the amount wrongfully retained, plus the cost of suit. If the retention was wrongful but not willful, the award is the amount wrongfully kept plus costs. Hawaii small claims court hears tenant deposit disputes with no dollar limit, and neither side may be represented by counsel in those cases.

What to do, step by step

Fill in your details
Answer the questions above. Your letter updates live as you type, so you can check every detail before you send it.
Send it in a way you can prove
Mail the letter by certified mail with return receipt and keep the receipt. If your lease lists an email address for notices, send a copy there too.
Wait for a reply
Give your landlord the 14 days stated in the letter. For reference, Hawaii's own deadline under HRS § 521-44 is 14 days after move-out.
Gather your evidence
Collect your lease, move-in and move-out photos, any inspection checklist, rent receipts and every message about the deposit.
File in small claims if needed
If the deposit still doesn't come back, you can file in small claims court (Hawaii limit: No dollar limit for security deposit cases ($5,000 for other claims)). Bring this letter and your proof of mailing.

What if the landlord ignores the letter?

Silence doesn't end the matter. Your letter creates a dated record that you asked for the deposit back and gave a reasonable deadline — exactly what a small claims judge will want to see.

In Hawaii, the rules are set out in Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44. If a landlord keeps a deposit without following them, a court may award three times the amount wrongfully and willfully retained, plus the cost of suit.

Small claims court is designed for people representing themselves: filing fees are modest, forms are short, and hearings are informal. In Hawaii the limit is No dollar limit for security deposit cases ($5,000 for other claims), which covers nearly every deposit dispute.

Example Hawaii security deposit demand letter

A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.

Jordan Rivera
88 Pine Ave, Springfield

October 5, 2026

Oakview Property Management
500 Market St, Suite 200, Springfield

Re: Demand for return of security deposit — 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield

Dear Oakview Property Management,

I was a tenant at 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield and moved out on August 31, 2026. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of $1,800.00. So far you have returned $300.00, leaving $1,500.00 outstanding.

I returned all keys on August 31 and took dated photos of every room, which show the unit clean and undamaged apart from normal wear and tear.

Please send $1,500.00 to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.

If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 19, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for three times the amount wrongfully and willfully retained, plus the cost of suit.

I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.

Sincerely,

Jordan Rivera

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Hawaii landlord have to return a deposit?

14 days after the rental agreement ends. Within that time the landlord must return the deposit or give you written notice of the reasons for any amount kept, with itemized costs and copies of receipts, or estimates if repairs aren't done yet. If the landlord misses the deadline, the full deposit must be returned.

What can a Hawaii landlord deduct from my deposit?

Unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, and the cost of keys, key fobs, parking cards, garage door openers or mailbox keys that weren't returned. Each deduction should be explained in writing.

What can I recover if my Hawaii landlord wrongfully keeps my deposit?

If the landlord acted wrongfully and willfully, a court may award three times the amount wrongfully retained, plus the cost of suit. Wrongful but not willful retention leads to an award of the amount wrongfully kept plus costs.

Is there a limit on deposit cases in Hawaii small claims court?

No. Hawaii's small claims division can hear residential security deposit disputes regardless of the amount, while most other claims are limited to $5,000. Neither the landlord nor the tenant may be represented by counsel in a deposit case.

Do I have to send a demand letter before going to small claims?

Many courts expect you to have asked for the money first, and a written demand is the simplest proof that you did. It also resolves a large share of disputes on its own.

How should I send the letter?

Use a method that gives you proof of delivery, such as certified mail with return receipt. Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt together.

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