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Get your security deposit back in Hawaii

Your landlord must act within 14 days after termination under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

14 days
to return or itemize
3×
potential damages on wrongful withholding
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my Hawaii letter →

One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.

What Hawaii law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 14 days after termination
StatuteHaw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingWrongful and willful retention can make the landlord liable for three times the amount wrongfully retained, plus the cost of suit; missing the 14-day notice forfeits the right to retain any of it.
Worth knowingDeposit capped at one month's rent plus limited pet deposit.

This is general legal information about Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $4,500.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your Hawaii letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44, the 14-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Hawaii deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Hawaii?
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44, the landlord generally must act within 14 days after termination. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Hawaii deadline?
Wrongful and willful retention can make the landlord liable for three times the amount wrongfully retained, plus the cost of suit; missing the 14-day notice forfeits the right to retain any of it. A written demand letter that cites Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Hawaii?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Hawaii attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.