Real Estate Accounting in Honolulu
Hawaii pairs a 14-day deposit deadline with treble damages, and Honolulu's condominium-dominated stock adds an association layer to almost every property. Both compress what a move-out process has time to do.
Proud AppFolio Stack™ Partners, working directly inside your AppFolio instance.
Hawaii rules that apply here
- Deposit return deadline
- 14 calendar days
- Statute
- HRS 521-44
Why Hawaii Real Estate Professionals Choose REA
AppFolio Expertise, Applied to Honolulu
Experts in AppFolio Bookkeeping
The deposit or an itemised written list of damages and charges is due within 14 days of the tenant surrendering the property. Missing it forfeits the right to retain any portion, and a tenant may recover up to three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs. Fourteen days does not allow for obtaining contractor quotes, so the charge has to rest on a pre-established basis rather than on a bid nobody can get in time.
Assigned, Responsive Team
Hawaii permits a separate additional deposit of one month's rent for a tenant keeping a pet, on top of the one-month security deposit. Those are two distinct amounts with distinct purposes, and combining them into a single figure removes the ability to show that each sat within its own limit and to apply each to its proper purpose at move-out.
Accurate Monthly Bookkeeping
Condominium ownership adds the association. Fines, assessments and house-rule violations attributable to a tenant are owner expenses first, recoverable only if the lease makes the association's rules the tenant's obligation. Coding them as generic maintenance is why they are rarely pursued, and pursuing them without a lease basis inside a treble-damages regime is worse than not pursuing them.
Deposit Compliance for Honolulu Portfolios
HRS 521-44
Hawaii 521-44 requires the deposit, or a written itemised list of damages and charges, within 14 DAYS of the tenant surrendering the property. Missing it forfeits the right to retain ANY portion, and a tenant may recover up to THREE TIMES the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs. Fourteen days does not allow for obtaining contractor quotes, so any charge has to rest on a pre-established basis rather than a bid nobody can get in time.
The security deposit is capped at one month's rent, and a SEPARATE additional deposit of up to one month's rent is permitted for a tenant keeping a pet. Two distinct amounts with distinct purposes: combining them into a single figure removes the ability to show each sat within its own limit and to apply each to its proper purpose at move-out.
All Hawaii requirementsHow we keep you inside it
- Deposit liabilities tracked per tenant in AppFolio, so a 14 calendar days deadline is answerable from the ledger
- Trust accounts reconciled three ways every month
- Deduction documentation recorded against the correct ledger
- Aging deposits flagged before the statutory window closes
Appfolio Bookkeeping Services from REA
Available to Honolulu Operators
Trust Bookkeeping
Leverage Appfolio's powerful bookkeeping capabilities with REA's tailored service.
See how it worksCorporate Bookkeeping
REA's skilled team, in combination with Appfolio's comprehensive toolset, addresses the complexity of your corporate financial activities.
See how it worksBank Reconciliations
Employing Appfolio's state-of-the-art system, REA offers bank reconciliation services that brings meticulous accuracy to your finances.
See how it worksFinancial Diagnostic Cleanup
REA utilizes Appfolio's advanced diagnostic tools to swiftly and effectively troubleshoot financial anomalies.
See how it worksTrust Compliance
REA pairs its accounting prowess with Appfolio's detailed reporting to deliver comprehensive Trust Compliance Verification services.
See how it worksAppFolio Accounting & Bookkeeping Services
For Honolulu Portfolios
- Process Review & Set Up
- Bank Reconciliations
- AP / AR
- Accurate NOI, Balance Sheets
- Recording HUD's & Accruals
- Owner Distributions
- Monthly Statements & Reports
- Management Fees
- Corporate Bookkeeping
- Tenant Chargebacks
Take the Whole Close, or One Function
Honolulu operators use REA for the full monthly close or for the single function that has become a bottleneck. Each one is performed inside your AppFolio instance.
Trust Accounting
Compliant, audit-ready trust funds
Learn moreBank Reconciliation Services
Three-way reconciliation, every account
Learn moreAccounts Payable & Receivable
Bills paid, rent collected, owners paid
Learn moreBookkeeping Cleanup & Catch-Up
Back books fixed and current
Learn moreCAM Reconciliation
Annual commercial true-ups
Learn moreExperts In All Property Types
- Single-Family
- Multifamily
- Student Housing
- Affordable Housing
- Community Associations
- Commercial
Experts In All Property Types
Residential, commercial and everything in between. The asset class changes what the books have to prove, and our teams are staffed accordingly.
- Single-Family
- Multifamily
- Student Housing
- Affordable Housing
- Community AssociationsSee the page
- CommercialSee the page
Check Out What Our Clients Have To Say About Us
Property Managers, Investors & Owner Operators
As REA exclusively specializes in Real Estate, I rest easy knowing my financials are precise every month while saving money at the same time, an invaluable benefit.
I highly recommend Real Estate Accounting (REA) services from this group. They truly are great and have helped us tremendously at a time we needed it the most. I felt very comfortable giving up all my accounting responsibilities to this team and I'm still glad I made the decision to work with this group. Nothing less than an amazing experience!
REA and team have been nothing but excellent helping our firm with its day to day financial needs. Their expertise, professionalism, and timeliness have made our lives so much easier. We foresee a long relationship with REA and team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do we have in Hawaii?
Fourteen days from the tenant surrendering the property, for the deposit or an itemised list of damages and charges. Missing it forfeits the right to retain any portion and exposes you to up to three times the amount wrongfully withheld.
Can we take a pet deposit as well?
Yes, an additional deposit of up to one month's rent for a tenant keeping a pet, separate from the one-month security deposit. They are distinct amounts and should stay distinct on the ledger.
What about condominium fines caused by a tenant?
They are an owner expense first, recoverable only if the lease makes the association's rules the tenant's obligation. Pursuing one without that basis under a treble-damages regime is worse than not pursuing it.
More in Hawaii
Other Hawaii markets, the platforms we work in, and the functions available on their own.
AppFolio Bookkeeping for Honolulu
Schedule a call and we will review your AppFolio setup, your Hawaii deposit handling, and what it takes to close clean every month.