Key takeaway: Hawaiʻi caps a security deposit at one month’s rent, plus up to one more month if you have a pet (HRS §521-44). On a $2,000 one-bedroom, plan on $4,000 to $6,000 at signing. Numbers checked October 30, 2026.
What a landlord can charge
- Security deposit: at most one month’s rent.
- Pet deposit: up to one more month’s rent. It can’t be charged for an assistance animal.
- Getting it back: the landlord has 14 days after you move out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. A 2026 bill to cap pet deposits at a third of a month did not pass (HRS §521-44).
GET on rent
Renting out a home is a taxable business in Hawaiʻi, so landlords owe the general excise tax on rent and often pass it through (Hawaiʻi Dept. of Taxation). The most they can pass on is 4.712% (Dept. of Taxation). Ask whether the quoted rent includes it.
Sample move-in budget
| Item | On a $2,000 1BR |
|---|---|
| First month’s rent | $2,000 |
| Security deposit (max) | $2,000 |
| Pet deposit, if you have a pet (max) | $2,000 |
| GET passed through, if charged | about $94/mo |
Our calculation, using the legal maximums above.
Utility hookups and deposits vary by island and provider.