Full question:
My previous tenant, when moved from the apartment asked me to keep his refrigerator and cooler for some time. I had to rent out the apartment to a new tenant so that I stored the tenant’s property in my neighbors’ godown and now the tenant wants the property back. Will I be reimbursed for the storage costs of the tenant’s belongings in Hawaii?
- Category: Abandoned Property
- Subcategory: Landlord Tenant
- Date:
- State: Hawaii
Answer:
In Hawaii, if a tenant has abandoned their belongings after leaving the premises, you may store their property at their expense. If the tenant has vacated the apartment either by giving notice or at the end of their lease, you can choose to sell, store, or donate their items, provided you notify the tenant of your intentions.
Once you notify the tenant, they must pay you for the reasonable storage costs before you return their belongings. This is in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-56, which outlines the process for dealing with a tenant's abandoned possessions.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.